Mary E. Abood, Ph.D. was a vibrant and brilliant researcher, conducting an active and productive research program in the cannabinoid field for well over 30 years. Dr. Abood's research was focused on the structure and function of cannabinoid receptors, including the localization, characterization of the downstream signaling pathways and identification of additional receptors on which cannabinoids exert their actions. Mary’s laboratory investigated the endocannabinoid system with a focus on its cellular receptors, making significant contributions throughout the cannabinoid field. Her lab cloned the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors and identified some of the structural and concomitant functional features of these proteins, studies designed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of CB receptor action. Her work also focused on identifying novel cannabinoid receptor subtypes, efforts that led to the characterization of GPR55 and GPR18 as putative cannabinoid receptors.

Mary was a foundational Member of the International Cannabinoid Research Society since 1991, served as our ICRS Secretary from 2001 to 2004, and was our ICRS Treasurer from 2009 to 2011. She received our ICRS Mechoulam Award in 2015, and is recognized as one of the leaders in the molecular biology of the cannabinoid receptors. Click here to read Mary's obituary

As a way to honor Mary’s career-long commitment to supporting women in science, ICRS has created the “Mary E. Abood ICRS Women in Cannabinoid Research Fund”.  This fund will support women trainees and junior-level women scientists to allow them to be a part of the ICRS community through membership, conference, and travel support.  This fund will also support travel and accommodations for a yearly plenary speaker by a woman in science at the annual ICRS conference.