Iain McGregor

Professor Iain McGregor is Professor of Psychopharmacology in the School of Psychology, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney, and serves as Academic Director of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics. He is an NHMRC Principal Research Fellow responsible for academic and organisational leadership, strategic direction, governance, reporting, and the development of preclinical and clinical research strategies at the Initiative. McGregor oversees a team of more than 25 staff and students, including Associate Directors, and reports to the Internal Management Group. He leads strategic relations, advocacy, and education efforts, and has incorporated cannabis research into the curricula of Science and Medicine degrees at the University of Sydney. His research aligns with the Faculty of Science research strengths. McGregor earned his PhD in Psychology from the University of Sydney in 1992 and holds an MA from the University of Oxford. His research spans medicinal chemistry, cellular assays, preclinical animal models of disease, and clinical trials in humans. Major areas of interest include the beneficial effects of oxytocin on social behaviour, development of novel treatments for addiction-related and mental health problems, pharmaco-epidemiology of increasing prescription psychotropic drug use in Australia and other countries, and the study of olfaction and pheromones. Renowned in medicinal cannabis research, he has authored more than 50 papers on cannabinoids, beginning over 20 years ago.

McGregor has over 200 career publications with an h-index of 57 and more than 27,000 citations. Key publications include 'The effects of predator odors in mammalian prey species: a review of field and laboratory studies' (Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2005), 'Analysis of cannabis seizures in NSW, Australia: cannabis potency and cannabinoid profile' (PLoS ONE, 2013), 'Nabiximols as an agonist replacement therapy during cannabis withdrawal: a randomized clinical trial' (JAMA Psychiatry, 2014), 'Chronic cannabinoid exposure produces lasting memory impairment and increased anxiety in adolescent but not adult rats' (Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2004), and 'Breaking the loop: oxytocin as a potential treatment for drug addiction' (Hormones and Behavior, 2012). His influential work advances understanding of cannabinoid therapeutics, psychopharmacology, and related fields, contributing significantly to preclinical and clinical advancements in mental health and addiction treatments.

Professional Email: iain.mcgregor@sydney.edu.au