Ed Wagner

Ed Wagner, PhD

Ed Wagner is a Professor of Physiology at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) at Western University of Health Sciences. He joined the institution in 2001 and has held roles including Director of the MSBS Program since 2018. His academic career spans over three decades, with postdoctoral training at Oregon Health Sciences University and faculty appointments in Pharmacology, Neuroscience, and Physiology.

Education

• Dual Ph.D. in Pharmacology & Toxicology/Neuroscience, Michigan State University (1994)
• B.S. in Psychobiology, UCLA (1986)
• Orange Coast College (1983)

Research Focus

Wagner’s work centers on sex differences in cannabinoid regulation of energy homeostasis and gonadal steroid modulation of hypothalamic circuits. Key areas include:

• Cannabinoid effects on feeding behavior
• Sex-specific responses to CB1 receptor agonists/antagonists
• Estrogen’s role in attenuating cannabinoid-induced effects
• Neuroendocrine control of energy balance via POMC and SF-1 neurons

His lab employs optogenetic, chemogenetic, and molecular approaches, with NIH funding since 2017.

Awards & Recognition

• Provost’s Distinguished Scholar Award (2018)
• WesternU College of Osteopathic Medicine Distinguished Faculty Award (2015)
• Invited speaker at conferences including the International Congress on Steroids and the Nervous System (multiple years)

Grants & Funding

NIH R15 Grant (2017–2020): Investigating sex differences in cannabinoid regulation of energy homeostasis. Prior grants include NIDA K01 and NICHD R01 support.

Labs & Collaborations

Leads a research group focusing on neuroendocrine mechanisms, collaborating with institutions like UCLA and University of North Texas. Active in mentoring students in the MSBS Program.