معرفی
Chad Johnson, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, where he also serves as Director of the Graduate Studies in Medical Cannabis program. His research integrates medicinal chemistry and pharmacology to develop novel therapeutics for central nervous system disorders.
- PhD, Medicinal Chemistry/Pharmacology – University of Maryland, Baltimore
- MS, Medicinal Chemistry/Pharmacology – University of Maryland, Baltimore
- MA, Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry – Johns Hopkins University
- BS, Chemistry – University of Virginia
Dr. Johnson's research focuses on the design and synthesis of fast-acting antidepressants targeting muscarinic receptors, the evaluation of abuse potential in novel psychoactive substances (particularly PCP and ketamine analogs), and exploring psychedelics for treating substance use disorders. His work bridges synthetic organic chemistry with neuropharmacological assessment in preclinical models.
His recent publications reflect a strong trajectory in CNS drug discovery, particularly antimuscarinic antidepressants with reduced cognitive side effects, and expanding into cancer chemotherapeutics through DNA repair enzyme targeting. The work demonstrates interdisciplinary collaboration across medicinal chemistry, behavioral pharmacology, and translational neuroscience.
Dr. Johnson holds active research grants from the NIH (R01-MH107499-03) and FDA (3U01FD005946-08S6), supporting his preclinical studies on antimuscarinic antidepressants and evaluation of home drug disposal products. He mentors in the graduate program he directs and collaborates with experts in pharmacology and medicinal chemistry.
His laboratory is based at 20 N Pine Street, Baltimore, MD, with research facilities in N706. He is not currently recruiting postdoctoral researchers.
