Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo, PhD
Associate Research ScientistAbout
Titles
Associate Research Scientist
Biography
Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo, PhD is an Associate Research Scientist at Yale. He specializes in the field of neurophysiology and ion channel modulation. With an academic background and experience in both experimental and computational approaches, Dr. Ghovanloo has made contributions to our understanding of sodium channel function and its implications in neuronal excitability and interactions with cannabinoids. His research has primarily focused on investigating the effects of various compounds, including cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN), on voltage-gated sodium channels and their impact on neuronal function.
Dr. Ghovanloo obtained his PhD from Simon Fraser University, Canada, in 2021, following the completion of his Bachelor of Science (Hons.) degree at the same institution in 2015. He completed his postdoctoral training at Yale School of Medicine in 2024.
In 2020, Dr. Ghovanloo trained as a Visiting Researcher at the Science for Life Laboratory in Sweden, broadening research scope and engaging with computational biology experts. From 2017 to 2019, as a Research Fellow at Xenon Pharmaceuticals in Canada, Dr. Ghovanloo contributed to projects on ion channel function and drug discovery.
Dr. Ghovanloo's research has encompassed a wide range of topics, including the modulation of ion channels by cannabinoids, the effects of pH on voltage-gated sodium channels, the characterization of various ion channel mutations associated with rare disorders, and the development of cutting-edge methods for investigating functional properties of primary neurons.
Dr. Ghovanloo's research has garnered recognition through numerous awards and honors. His exceptional academic achievements were acknowledged when he was selected as the Graduand Speaker at the Convocation Ceremony at Simon Fraser University in 2021. Moreover, he has been the recipient of prestigious fellowships, including the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), named after the renowned Nobel Prize laureate Sir Frederick Banting, as well as the Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Dr. Ghovanloo's research contributions have been further acknowledged through various awards, including travel grants, research grants, and publication accolades. His work and written articles have been featured in esteemed Canadian newspapers and magazines, including The National Post, The Toronto Star, and The Canadian Business Journal.
Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Postdoctoral Fellow
- Yale School of Medicine (2024)
- PhD
- Simon Fraser University (2021)
- Visiting Researcher
- SciLifeLab (2020)
- Research Fellow
- Xenon Pharmaceuticals (2019)
- BSc (Hon)
- Simon Fraser University (2015)
Research
Overview
I specialize in ion channel biophysics and cannabinoid pharmacology, with a focus on advancing our understanding of how phytocannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN), interact with voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav channels). My work has been pivotal in uncovering the mechanisms through which these cannabinoids modulate Nav channels and their therapeutic potential for disorders of excitability.
Throughout my career, I have collaborated with esteemed scientists across academic and industry sectors, employing state-of-the-art techniques such as patch-clamp electrophysiology, X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and computational modeling. These approaches have enabled us to investigate cannabinoid-ion channel interactions in unprecedented detail.
In 2018, our study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry provided the first detailed description of CBD's effects on Nav channels, demonstrating its inhibitory action and potential anticonvulsant properties. Subsequent work published in the Journal of General Physiology (2021) revealed multiple mechanisms of CBD-mediated inhibition, including pore block and alterations in membrane elasticity. In 2020, we further elucidated the molecular basis of CBD's effects through a crystal structure published in eLife.
Building on this foundation, we explored the effects of CBG on Nav channels in 2022, with findings published in the British Journal of Pharmacology. This study showed that CBG inhibits Nav channels in dorsal root ganglion neurons, contributing to reduced neuronal excitability and highlighting its potential as a nonaddictive analgesic. In 2024, we extended this research to CBN, demonstrating its selective inhibition of Nav channels in diverse neuronal populations. Published in Communications Biology, this work defined a spectrum of non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids, including CBD, CBG, and CBN, as promising candidates for addressing peripheral hyperexcitability.
In 2025, our study published in PNAS highlighted the efficacy of these cannabinoids in inhibiting Nav1.8, a critical mediator of pain signals, with CBG emerging as the most compelling candidate for further investigation into pain management.
Parallel to this, in 2023, my colleagues and I developed an innovative high-throughput method for functional characterization of freshly isolated neurons, as published in Cell Reports Methods. This breakthrough has revolutionized the analysis of excitable cells, significantly enhancing the throughput and efficiency of patch-clamp techniques.
Currently, I am actively pursuing my research interests in molecular neuroscience, with a particular emphasis on ion channel biophysics and pharmacology.
Research Pages: Google Scholar, Research Gate