RESEARCH

RESEARCH

    Cannabinoids, the major bioactive ingredients from marijuana, strongly influence our mind, brain and behavior via the endocannabinoid system, which consists of cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids, and their biosynthetic and degradative enzymes.  It is well known that the endocannabinoid system is involved in a myriad of physiological processes underlying an extremely diverse set of functions, such as learning and memory, substance use, appetite regulation, mood, vascular tone, pain, and inflammation.

    Our major research interests are to understand the role of endocannabinoid system in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions.  For example, the first line of study in our lab is to examine whether the cannabinoid CB1 receptor blockade would affect cocaine-associated memory by using one popular animal behavioral paradigm---conditioned place preference (CPP). Interestingly, our results suggest that CB1 receptor blockade exerts bidirectional modulation in consolidation, while facilities extinction of cocaine-induced CPP. The second line of research examines the effect of acute pharmacological vs. chronic genetic blockade of CB1 receptors on olfactory discrimination. While acute CB1 receptor blockade impairs olfactory discrimination only, CB1 knockout mice display not only olfactory discrimination deficit, but also impaired object exploration ability. The neurochemical and neurobiological mechanisms underlying the above behavioral effects are currently under investigation.

RESEARCH GRANTS

1. "Explore the neural and molecular mechanisms underlying cannabidiol’s facilitating effect on the memory acquisition of socially transmitted food preference" Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (2023/08/01-2026/07/31, NSTC112-2410-H-006-092-MY3, total costs: NT$ 5,051,000), Role: Principal Investigator.

2. “The mediating roles of the VTA to mPFC dopaminergic pathway, mPFC dopamine receptor subtypes and their downstream circuits, and estradiol in CB1-mediated sex difference in cocaine-associated memory” Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (2021/08/01 – 2023/07/31, MOST 110-2410-H-006-053-MY2, total costs: NT$ 2,689,000), Role: Principal Investigator.

3.  “Optogenetic and chemogenetic investigation of the projection inputs to the mPFC involved in CB1-mediated cocaine-associated memory.” Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (2019/08/01 – 2021/07/31, MOST 108-2410-H-006-039-MY2, total costs: NT$ 3,699,000), Role: Principal Investigator.

4. “To reconsolidate or not to reconsolidate: Examine the role of the endocannabinoid system in reconsolidation or extinction of inhibitory avoidance memory.” Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (2018/08/01 – 2019/07/31, MOST 107-2410-H-006-056-, total costs: NT$ 1,325,000), Role: Principal Investigator.

5. “Re-examine the role of the endocannabinoid system in chronic pain relief: multiple-drug, chemogenetic DREADD-CNO, and optogenetic approaches.” Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (2016/08/01 – 2018/07/31, MOST 105-2410-H-006-019-MY2, total costs: NT$ 3,059,000), Role: Principal Investigator.

6.  “The mechanism of the bidirectional modulatory effects of the CB1 antagonist rimonabant on consolidation of cocaine-associated memory: A sex difference study.” Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (2015/08/01 – 2018/07/31, MOST 104-2410-H-006-025-MY3, total costs: NT$ 4,267,000), Role: Principal Investigator.

7. “The Role of Cannabinoid Signaling in Memory Extinction and Reconsolidation of Cocaine- induced Conditioned Place Preference.” National Science Council, Taiwan (2013/08/01 – 2015/07/31, NSC 102-2410-H-006-016-MY2, total costs: NT$ 1,906,000), Role: Principal Investigator.

8.  “Architecture of Cannabinoid Signaling in the Murine Anterior Eye.” National Science Council, Taiwan (2012/08/01 – 2013/07/31, NSC 101-2320-B-006-007-, total costs: NT$ 915,000), Role: Principal Investigator.

9.  “Cannabinoid Signaling in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb and its Role in Olfactory Perceptual Learning.” National Science Council, Taiwan (2011/08/01 – 2013/07/31, NSC 100-2410-H-006-085-MY2, total costs: NT$ 1,482,000), Role: Principal Investigator.

HONORS AND AWARDS

1. Excellent Faculty Research Award (Second Place), College of Social Sciences, NCKU, 2022.

2. Excellent Faculty Research Award (Second Place), College of Social Sciences, NCKU, 2021.

3. Excellent Faculty Research Award (Fourth Place), College of Social Sciences, NCKU, 2020.

4. Excellent Faculty Research Award (Third Place), College of Social Sciences, NCKU, 2019.

5. Excellent Faculty Research Award (First Place), College of Social Sciences, NCKU, 2018.

6. Distinguished Counseling Teacher Award (First Place), NCKU, 2018.

7. Excellent Faculty Research Award (Third Place), College of Social Sciences, NCKU, 2017.

8. Travel Awards from Gordon Research Conference: Cannabinoid Function in the CNS, 2015.

9. Excellent Faculty Research Award (Fourth Place), College of Social Sciences, NCKU, 2014.

10. Excellent Faculty Research Award (Fourth Place), College of Social Sciences, NCKU, 2013.

11. Excellent Faculty Research Award (Fourth Place), College of Social Sciences, NCKU, 2012.

12. Excellent Faculty Research Award (Fourth Place), College of Social Sciences, NCKU, 2011.

13. Doctoral Research Assistantship, Brown University, 2004-2006.

14. Doctoral Teaching Assistantship, Brown University, 2000-2004.

15. Travel Awards from Brown University (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005); International Cannabinoid Research Society (2004, 2009); Taiwanese Bioscientists of America (2003, 2004).

16. The First Place in the Master Thesis Competition, National Taiwan University, 1996.

17. Su Hsiang-Yu Award for the Outstanding Master Thesis, Taiwanese Psychological Association, 1996.

18. Honor with Exemption of Graduate School Entrance Examination, National Taiwan University, 1993.

19. The First Place in the Bachelor Thesis Competition, National Taiwan University, 1993.

20. Honor Undergraduate Student Fellowship, National Science Council, Taiwan, 1992-1993.

21. President Award, for Highest GPA of the Class, National Taiwan University, 1991.