David R. Gang

David R. Gang is a Professor in the Institute of Biological Chemistry at Washington State University (WSU), where he also serves as Director of WSU's Center for Cannabis Policy, Research and Outreach (CCPRO) and Director of the Tissue Imaging and Proteomics Laboratory (TIMPL). He previously served as Assistant Director of the CAHNRS Office of Research in the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences. Dr. Gang has been affiliated with WSU since 2009, following his faculty position at the University of Arizona's Department of Plant Sciences and BIO5 Institute.

Dr. Gang's primary research interests focus on plant specialized metabolism, with particular emphasis on medicinal plants, aromatic plants, and hemp/cannabis research. His laboratory employs a multidisciplinary approach combining chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and omics technologies to elucidate biosynthetic pathways of specialized metabolites. His work spans seven major research areas: 1) medicinal compound production in plants, 2) metabolic regulation in plants, 3) invasive plant species biology, 4) plant disease control (particularly citrus greening), 5) drug target identification from natural sources, 6) ancient residue analysis in archeometry, and 7) hemp for economic development. His research often involves field collection of biological samples from diverse global locations including Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Korea, and Thailand.

Dr. Gang's recent publications demonstrate strong trends in cannabis/hemp research, ancient biomolecular analysis, plant-pathogen interactions, and specialized metabolite biosynthesis. His work increasingly focuses on the intersection of traditional plant knowledge with modern analytical techniques, particularly in the context of human health applications and agricultural sustainability. The research shows growing emphasis on translational applications of basic plant biochemistry findings to address contemporary challenges in agriculture, medicine, and environmental science.

• Benson Presidential Scholarship at BYU
• Loyal H. Davis Graduate Student Fellowship at WSU
• Sokol Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Sciences from the Rackham Graduate School, UM
• Arthur Neish Young Investigator Award, PSNA
• Young Investigator Award in Plant Genome Research from the United States National Science Foundation
• President of the Phytochemical Society of North America
• Executive Board Member of the Groupe Polyphenols

Dr. Gang has supervised 18 post-doctoral researchers, a dozen graduate students, and over two dozen undergraduate students in his laboratory. His research is supported by diverse funding sources including USDA NIFA SAS Grants for hemp research in the western US and tribal lands, a DOE RACIPAC project on biochar formulations in hemp-based crop rotation systems, and Washington State Department of Ecology funding for pesticide uptake studies in cannabis plants. His laboratory collaborates extensively with partners at Oregon State University, UC Davis, University of Nevada, Reno, and tribal communities.

Dr. Gang leads the Laboratory for Cellular Metabolism and Engineering (LCME), which houses the Tissue Imaging and Proteomics Laboratory (TIMPL). His research group includes postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and undergraduate interns working across multiple projects. The lab maintains specialized facilities for metabolomics, proteomics, and mass spectrometry imaging, supporting research on plant specialized metabolism, rhizome biology, and cannabis science. Current major initiatives include the Center for Cannabis Policy, Research and Outreach and the DOE-funded RACIPAC project investigating biochar applications in agricultural systems.