Research Support Core
Providing guidance and resources to advance cannabis research
The Research Support Core, led by Washington State University (WSU), promotes the widespread advancement of cannabis research by providing guidance and resources to investigators.
The core’s goal is to enable researchers to overcome barriers to conducting cannabis research through a unique website and a strong social media presence. The team organizes workshops and webinars to help researchers generate more rigorous scientific data that addresses knowledge gaps about cannabis and its constituents.
The Research Support Core also fosters the career development of both existing and early-career investigators by administering seed funding for proposal development and registration support. The core is designed to be a comprehensive resource, providing timely updates and information to the cannabis research community.
Events and Education
Purpose: To enable researchers to generate more rigorous scientific data by providing educational resources and fostering collaboration.
Features:
- Workshops and webinars held at least twice a year to address barriers to cannabis research.
- Events are promoted via the website and social media to increase accessibility.
- The geographic locations of partner institutions (West, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic) are leveraged to increase accessibility for researchers regardless of career stage, funding, or time zone.
Funding Opportunities
Purpose: To support the training and career development of early-career investigators and to create a pipeline of researchers trained to conduct cannabis research.
Features:
- Administration of seed funding awards of up to $50,000 for registration support and proposal development.
- A yearly panel of 3-5 reviewers to evaluate proposals.
- Identification of NIH early career reviewer opportunities to foster research and career development.
Website and Outreach
Purpose: To disseminate guidance and resources to the cannabis research community through a centralized, accessible platform.
Features:
- A unique website housing regulatory guidance, best practices, vendor and product information, and R3CR-hosted events.
- Social media accounts to disseminate information and engage with the research community.
- Use of a web analytics to monitor traffic and optimize the R3CR’s digital presence and outreach.
Research Support Core
Mary Paine, RPh, PhD (PI)
Professor
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Washington State University
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Dr. Mary Paine is a Professor at Washington State University, with more than 25 years of experience exploring how natural products interact with medications. After earning her PhD at the University of Washington and completing a post-doctoral fellowship in clinical pharmacology at the University of Michigan, Mary dedicated her career to translational research. A highly respected academic leader, she has authored more than 140 publications and received prestigious awards from the FDA and ASCPT. At R3CR, Mary applies her clinical expertise and leadership to help investigators navigate the rigorous scientific and regulatory standards required for high-quality cannabis research.
Rebecca L. Cooney, MS
Professor
The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
Washington State University
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With 30 years of professional communication experience, Rebecca Cooney brings expertise in integrated marketing and instructional design to the R3CR team. An award-winning professor at WSU’s Murrow College of Communication, Rebecca has trained thousands of students and worked closely with regional health organizations to develop multimodal training for healthcare providers. At R3CR, she leads communication strategy and instructional design, ensuring complex research and regulatory information is accessible and engaging. Her work bridges the gap between scientific discovery and the public health communities the center serves.
Deena Hadi, BBA
Program Manager
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Washington State University
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Deena Hadi serves as the Program Manager for the R3CR and the Inland Northwest Human Research Clinic (INW HRC), where she oversees the essential administrative and operational functions of both organizations. At the INW HRC, Deena skillfully coordinates a multidisciplinary team of clinical pharmacologists, natural products chemists, and health communication experts to ensure seamless daily operations. For R3CR, she focuses her talents on the administrative framework that keeps the center running smoothly. Deena’s organizational leadership and ability to manage complex logistics make her a vital point of contact for investigators navigating the practical side of cannabis research.