Education: 
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine. 1976 - 1979
Rutgers State University; Ph.D., Pharmacology and Toxicology 1976     
Pennsylvania State University ; B.S., Biochemistry, cum laude 1971

Research Area:
Neuropharmacology, Signal transduction, Cell Biology, Cannabinoid Receptors, Endocannabinoids

Academic Activities:
Graduate Program Recruiter
Phys-Pharm Outreach Committee
Post-doctoral Committee
NIH Study Sections
Internatl Union Pharmacology Committee on Cannabinoid Receptors

Activities in Medical & Graduate Education:
Teaching in the health science professions and graduate school in: endocrinology, pharmacology, physiology
Adjunct Faculty at WSSU

Brief Summary of Research:
Dr. Howlett investigates cannabinoid and endocannabinoid compounds that stimulate the CB1 cannabinoid receptor and regulate signal transduction pathways in cultured neuronal cells. We study  phosphorylation of the receptor as a means to direct signaling through specific G proteins, as well as the potential for drugs to direct  the partnering with different G proteins  leading to selection of certain signal transduction pathways (e.g., via adenylyl cyclase inhibition, MAPK activation, Ca2+ regulation, and NO production).  The goal is identify drugs that target neurons in the brain that promote therapeutically beneficial actions (e.g., analgesia), but diminish the activity of neurons that produce untoward side effects (e.g., sedation, cognitive dysfunction).

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Research Interests
Publications