Donovan A. Argueta, PhD has been selected as a 2020 University of California President's Postdoctoral Fellow. His proposed research will study pleasure-induced modulation of endocannabinoids in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
Sickle Cell Disease is a debilitating red blood cell disorder caused by a single mutation in hemoglobin, primarily afflicting individuals of African and Hispanic ancestry. Due to lack of primary care resources, California reports some of the worst outcomes for SCD, with life expectancies falling 18 years short of the national average.
Occlusion of blood vessels in SCD contributes to crippling acute pain that may transition to chronic pain. Hospital admissions are typically for pain relief, which heavily rely on opioids; however, this approach carries enormous risk for tolerance, addiction, and exacerbated pain.
Many SCD patients have resorted to cannabis for pain self-medication, though there remains a lack of evidence for the efficacy and risks of cannabis use. Previous studies revealed that targeting the eCB system ameliorates c-fiber sensitization and may provide a safer alternative to current pain targets.
"My proposed research is an exceptional opportunity to utilize my background in dietary impacts on the endocannabinoid (eCB) system to uncover the biochemical basis for pain in sickle cell disease (SCD)," said Argueta, Ford Foundation Fellow 2018. " I aim to broaden my scientific repertoire by developing a translational approach to target pain in SCD. My training will be performed in a multidisciplinary translational research program to create a bench-to-bedside program for SCD."
The goal of this research is to determine whether integrative, affective (mood) approaches with a modified diet and companionship (pleasure) enhance eCB signaling to ameliorate exacerbated pain in SCD. The study will apply expertise of dietary impacts on the eCB system to a rodent model of SCD.
"My expertise in probing the eCB system will be enhanced with guidance from Dr. Kalpna Gupta, a renowned expert on pain pathways involved in SCD," said Argueta. " Our combined expertise will be expanded by our ongoing collaborations with the UC Irvine Center for the Study of Cannabis, along with clinical pain and hematology experts at UC Los Angeles, City of Hope, and the University of Southern California."
"This award is an incredible opportunity to establish myself as an independent investigator," said Argueta. "It is my goal to operate a laboratory that conducts top-quality biomedical research, while also providing an inclusive environment for training of individuals from all walks of life."
The University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program was established in 1984 to encourage outstanding women and minority Ph.D. recipients to pursue academic careers at the University of California.
The current program offers postdoctoral research fellowships, professional development and faculty mentoring to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity at UC.