Shanna Babalonis, PhD

Director of UK Cannabis Center

Associate Professor, College of Medicine, Dept. of Behavioral Science

Dr. Shanna Babalonis is an Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Behavioral Science and Center on Drug and Alcohol Research and is the Director of the UK Cannabis Center. Her research focuses on controlled human laboratory and clinical trials on the therapeutic and abuse potential of opioids and cannabinoids. She has several active NIH grants to examine cannabis-opioid interactions and cannabis effects in those with opioid use disorder. Along with Dr. Walsh, she authored an updated report for the World Health Organization on cannabidiol (CBD) and presented the findings to the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence in Geneva, Switzerland. She is the Scientist Representative on the Council for Governmental Relations Hemp and Cannabis Group and serves on the Program Committee for the International Cannabinoid Research Society. She is also a consulting editor for the scientific journal, Cannabis. Dr. Babalonis provides physician education through Grand Rounds and lectures to physicians in the state on the risks and benefits of medical cannabis and has also given numerous presentations to residents, medical/dental students, and the public on cannabis-related topics.  She serves as a near-peer mentor for diverse faculty enrolled in the UK Research Scholars Program and serves on the Behavioral Science Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council and White Coats for Black Lives Program.