Dr. Clinton Canal
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Education
- B.S., Psychology; Minor, Philosophy, University of Florida
- Ph.D., Neuroscience, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Research Background and Interests
Co-Founder, Channel Therapeutics, LLC, a start-up biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class, selective acetylcholine mAChR2 antagonists for nervous system disorders
Advisor, Cybin, Inc., a clinical biopharmaceutical company developing novel psychedelics for mental health disorders
Advisor, Seropeutics, LLC., an early-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel serotonin receptor agonists for neuropsychiatric disorders.
Serotonin Receptor Pharmacology and Neurobiology. Dr. Canal’s research utilizes in vitro molecular pharmacology, in vivo behavioral pharmacology, and in vivo/ex vivo neurobiology to understand central mechanisms and functions of unique serotonin (5-HT) receptors.
He focuses on how these receptors modulate molecular systems affected by central nervous system disorders, aiming to guide drug discovery for 5-HT receptor targets. His work has led to the development of novel compounds for treating various conditions, including autism spectrum disorders (targeting 5-HT1A and 5-HT7), Fragile X syndrome (targeting 5-HT7), psychotic disorders (targeting 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C), and substance use disorders (targeting 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C).
Courses
- PHA 334 Foundations in Pharmacology and Immunology
- PHA 375 Comprehensive Patient Centered Care I
- PHA 546 Nervous System Pharmacotherapy
- PHA 548 Project Development
- PHA 549 Introduction to Research
- PHA 744 Scientific Writing
- PHA 799 Masters Thesis Research
- PHA 846 Current Topics in Pharmaceutical Sciences
- PHA 847 Molecular and Behavioral Neuropharmacology
- PHA 899 Doctoral Research