# ICAL: Impact of Cannabinoids Across Lifespan: Administrative Core

> **NIH NIH P50** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · 2020 · $313,619

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY: ADMINISTRATIVE CORE
We propose the creation of a NIDA Center of Excellence, Impact of Cannabinoids Across the
Lifespan (ICAL), to test the hypothesis that non-physiological activation of the endocannabinoid
system in adolescence – caused by exposure to D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or one of its
synthetic mimics – initiates a reprogramming of the genetic and epigenetic processes that govern
this system’s molecular structure, neuroanatomical architecture, and synaptic functions, ultimately
producing persistent abnormalities in cognition and motivated behavior. To test this hypothesis,
ICAL will deploy a vertically integrated strategy combining molecular, neuroanatomical,
electrophysiological, and behavioral approaches. The Administrative Core will serve as the
organizational hub for all ICAL’s scientific and programmatic activities. The overall goal of this core
will be to centralize these activities while promoting efficiency in operations and transparency for
ICAL investigators, trainees, and staff. The Administrative Core’s scientific leadership will oversee
and integrate the activities of ICAL’s three research projects, two shared research cores, pilot core,
and outreach activities. The core director, Daniele Piomelli is Professor in the Departments of
Anatomy & Neurobiology, Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, the Louise Turner Arnold Chair
in the Neurosciences, and director of the newly created UCI Institute for the Study of Cannabis.
The core co-director, Marcelo Wood, is Professor and Chair in the Department of Neurobiology &
Behavior, and director of the Irvine Center for Addiction Neuroscience. Drs. Piomelli and Wood will
leverage the expertise of distinguished members of UCI’s neuroscience community to form the
Center’s internal Steering Committee (SC). In addition, they will assemble an External Advisory
Group (EAG) composed of leaders in the field of neuroscience and cannabinoid research. The
director and co-director will work with an experienced Program Specialist to develop systems and
processes to manage workflow, coordinate meetings, facilitate interaction with ICAL’s SC and EAG
and other stakeholders, track and report the Center’s progress, identify challenges and implement
solutions. The Program Specialist will be responsible for budget management and reporting,
drafting and maintaining of animal protocols, generating content for ICAL’s website and other
communications, and for coordinating and scheduling all meetings, bimonthly seminars,
international workshops, and outreach events. The combined expertise of the Administrative
Core’s leadership and staff will ensure that ICAL’s scientific and programmatic goals are met and
disseminated in an impactful way to cannabinoid researchers as well as the entire scientific
community and the public at large.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9934170
- **Project number:** 5P50DA044118-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniele Piomelli
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $313,619
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9934170

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9934170, ICAL: Impact of Cannabinoids Across Lifespan: Administrative Core (5P50DA044118-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9934170. Licensed CC0.

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