Josh Kaplan earned his Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience from Oregon Health & Science University in 2015 under the guidance of David Rossi, Ph.D. (Washington State University) and Deb Finn, Ph.D. (OHSU). His dissertation work revealed the mechanistic link between genetic risk for alcohol abuse to underlying brain mechanisms. His work highlighted the substantial role the cerebellum plays in mediating alcohol consumption.
Dr. Kaplan joined the lab of Bill Catterall, Ph.D. at the University of Washington for his postdoctoral fellowship. At UW, he researched the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of cannabidiol (CBD) in a pre-clinical model of epilepsy and autism. His work demonstrated that CBD reduces seizures and rescues social interaction deficits by elevating inhibitory signaling the in brain. He also identified the GPR55 receptor as an important target in CBD’s anti-epileptic effects.
At the completion of the CBD project, Dr. Kaplan joined the laboratory of Nephi Stella, Ph.D. (UW) to study ways of boosting the body’s own cannabinoid system. His work demonstrated that boosting the brain’s endogenous cannabinoid, 2-AG, by blocking one of its metabolic enzymes, can have therapeutic effects by increasing a tonically active form of brain inhibition.
Outside of the lab, Dr. Kaplan is a passionate science communicator and educator. He’s written numerous articles for websites, consulted on documentaries, and spoken internationally on topics relating to cannabis science for all types of audiences. He was included in High Times’ 100 Most Most Influential People in Cannabis in 2018 and the 2021 Edition of Cannabis Newsletter’s 100 Most Influential People in Cannabis.
He also loves to run and explore new trails.