Prof. Dr. M. Imad Damaj, Virginia Commonwealth University, United States
Prof. Dr. M. Imad Damaj is a distinguished pharmacologist specializing in pain, neuropathy, and drug dependence. A professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), he co-directs the Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy. Holding a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Paris XI, he has made significant contributions to neuropharmacology and drug addiction research. An award-winning educator, he has received the VCU Award of Excellence and is a National Academy of Inventors inductee. His extensive work includes NIH study sections, journal editorial roles, and mentoring future scientists. 🌍📚🔬
Publication Profile
Scopus
Education
Prof. Dr. M. Imad Damaj 🎓 began his academic journey with a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of St-Joseph (French Faculty of Medicine) in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1985. He then pursued an M.S. in Hospital Pharmacy (DESS) at the School of Pharmacy, University of Paris VI, France, in 1986. His passion for pharmacology led him to earn a Ph.D. in 1991 from the University of Paris XI, under the mentorship of Dr. Christian Jacquot. 🧪 His dissertation focused on the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic evaluation of COR3224, a novel antidepressant agent, in rats, contributing valuable insights to the field. 🧬
Experience
Prof. Dr. M. Imad Damaj 🧪 has an extensive background in training and research. He began as a Hospital Pharmacist at the Pediatric Parenteral Nutrition Unit, Necker Pediatric Hospital, Paris (1985-1986) and later became a Pharmacy Resident at Ste-Anne Neuropsychiatric Hospital (1986-1987). His academic journey included a predoctoral fellowship at the University of Paris XI (1987-1991) and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Medical College of Virginia (1991-1993). 🎓 Since 1994, he has been actively involved in teaching at Virginia Commonwealth University, covering pharmacology, drug dependence, and pain control, mentoring students in pharmacy, dentistry, and medical sciences.
Awards
Prof. Dr. M. Imad Damaj 🎓 has received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his career. In 1990, he earned the SARGET Laboratories Award for his research on antidepressants in rat brains. He received postdoctoral travel awards from ASPET (1992) and CPDD (1993). Recognized as an Outstanding Young Investigator in 1995, he continued to receive accolades, including multiple NIDA Travel Awards (1996, 1999) and the College de France Award (2001). 🌟 At VCU, he was named Professor of the Year (2014) and won multiple teaching awards. In 2023, he was inducted into the National Academy of Inventors. 🏅
Professional Activity
Prof. Dr. M. Imad Damaj 🧪 has been actively engaged in professional activities, serving as an ad hoc reviewer for esteemed journals such as Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, British Journal of Pharmacology, and Neurochemistry International. Since 1993, he has contributed as a judge for the Virginia Junior Academy of Sciences and Virginia Academy of Sciences. 🎓 He has also participated in educational outreach, including the Mini-Med School of Virginia. From 2002-2018, he was on the Editorial Advisory Board for JPET, and in 2021, he became Associate Editor for Frontiers in Pain Research.
Research Focus
Prof. Dr. Mohamad Imad Damaj is a distinguished researcher in neuropharmacology 🧠💊, with a strong focus on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) 🔬 and their role in addiction, pain, and neuropsychiatric disorders. His work explores the mechanisms of nicotine addiction 🚬, opioid withdrawal ⚠️, and neuropathic pain 🔥, employing advanced mouse models 🐭 to investigate behavioral and molecular responses. He has contributed significantly to understanding novel pharmacological interventions 💉, including PPARα agonists and α7 nicotinic receptor modulators. His research has broad implications for pain management, substance use disorders, and neuroprotection.
Publication Top Notes
Characterization of a novel oronasal-restricted nicotine vaping self-administration model in mice
New PPARα Agonist A190-Loaded Microemulsion for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Sulfonium Moieties as Ammonium Bioisosteres: Novel Ligands for the Alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
Identification of ethanol analgesia quantitative trait loci and candidate genes in BXD recombinant inbred mouse lines
Upregulation of the neuropeptide receptor calcitonin receptor-like in the spinal cord via MLL2 in a mouse model of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy
Voluntary nicotine consumption and reward in a subset of diversity outbred founder strains
Activation of α7 nicotinic receptors attenuated hyperalgesia and anxiety induced by palatable obesogenic diet withdrawal
Proteomic analysis of dorsal root ganglia in a mouse model of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain
Characterization and validation of a spontaneous acute and protracted oxycodone withdrawal model in male and female mice
The potential effect of α7 nicotinic receptors modulation on palatable food-induced dependence-like behaviors