CALM Research Group
The Cannabis Legalization in Michigan (CALM) research group studies the health effects of cannabis use. Scientific research lags behind the rapid changes in cannabis policy and the increasing prevalence of its use. We use pre-clinical rodent models and human epidemiological studies to a) identify and minimize harms associated with cannabis use, and b) identify the therapeutic benefits of cannabis and develop effective cannabinoid-based drugs.
Current members:
Omayma Alshaarawy, M.B.B.S, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
Andrew Cole, Research Assistant, CALM-CVD study
Blake Reynolds, Research Assistant, CALM-CVD study
Gabriel Radgens, Student Research Assistant, Pre-clinical models
Past members:
Ahmed Ahmed, MD, student at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
David Connolly, DO, student at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Patrik Konomi, BS
Emily Kurjan, MS, Genetic Counselor
Valerie Nguyen, BS
Katie Patterson, MS
Morgan Sotzen, PhD, student at Penn State, Integrative and Biomedical Physiology.
Alyssa Vanderziel, PhD, MS, Assistant Scientist at Henry Ford Health System
Current Projects:
Cardiovascular Health (CVH) study
The goal of this study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse is to study the cardiovascular health effects of cannabis use among patients with high blood pressure. The study is conducted in collaboration with MSU, Sparrow and Corewell Family Medicine clinics. If you are interested in participating in the study, please email clm.cvd21@gmail.com or contact us at 517‐884‐0420.
Maternal and Infant Health (MIH) study
The goal of this study is to assess the feasibility of recruiting cannabis-using pregnant and postpartum women to study patterns, trajectories, and consequences of cannabis use. The study is conducted in collaboration with Sparrow Family Medicine and Women Health clinics. Funding is provided by MSU Department of Family Medicine Faculty Scholarship award. If you are currently pregnant and interested in participating in the study, please email clm.mih20@gmail.com or contact us at 517‐884‐0420.
Cannabis use during pregnancy and maternal and in-utero inflammation
The aim of this project is to evaluate the relationship between cannabis use and inflammation in pregnant women recruited for the Michigan Archive for Research on Child Health (MARCH) study which plans to recruit over 1000 participants from 11 sites across the state of Michigan. This study is funded by the Local ECHO University Vice Presidents Fund.
Using pre-clinical biomarkers and epidemiological models to assess the effects of cannabinoids on disease
The goal of this project funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health is to study the intriguing possibility that cannabis use might be protective against the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to produce more definitive evidence from bench-to-bedside-to- community studies of cannabinoids and health outcomes, even if the cannabis-diabetes association turns out to be spurious. Here, we use pre-clinical rodent models of obesity and insulin resistance to study the metabolic health effects of cannabinoids.
