the mechoulam lecturer

Melanie Kelly, PhD

Professor Kelly is a faculty member in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada. She also serves as the Executive Director of the International Cannabinoid Research Society, is a Board Member of the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids, and is the Director and Chief Scientific Officer of Panag Pharma Inc., based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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Dr. Kelly’s primary research expertise lies in translational pharmacology and drug discovery, with a specific focus on the endocannabinoid system and the ways in which cannabis and cannabinoids can influence disease processes. She has authored more than 100 publications in pharmacology, cannabinoids, and the endocannabinoid system, and holds several patents related to cannabinoid‑based therapeutics.

Throughout her career, Professor Kelly has contributed extensively to medical and pharmacy education. She has developed and delivered curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as content for continuing medical education and postgraduate professional training. She is also a sought‑after industry consultant, advising on drug development in the cannabis and cannabinoid sector and supporting the creation of scientific materials for public education and knowledge translation.

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Dr. Kelly’s recent work centers on the development of novel therapies aimed at reducing pain and inflammation. As a co‑founder of a Halifax‑based pharmaceutical company, she is actively working to translate research discoveries into Health Canada–approved medicines for individuals living with chronic neurodegenerative diseases.