Babak Baban

Dr. Babak Baban is a Professor of Immunology at Augusta University, with appointments in the Departments of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences at the Dental College of Georgia, and Neurology and Surgery at the Medical College of Georgia.

He holds a Ph.D. from the University of London, completed a postdoctoral fellowship in molecular immunology at Augusta University, and earned an MBA (2008), MPH (2015), and a Certificate in Leadership Principles from Harvard Business School (2022).Currently, Dr. Baban serves as the Associate Dean of Research at the Dental College of Georgia.

He is a member of the scientific boards and review panels of numerous prominent organizations, including the American Heart Association, Marie Curie Action, American Dental Association, IACM, ICRS, and EPMA. Dr. Baban is the Associate Editor for Journal of Cannabis Research (Springer Nature) and has served as Guest Editor for a special issue on the Immunobiology of Cannabis in the International Journal of Molecular Medicine.

Dr. Baban holds several patents based on his pioneering research into the medical implications of cannabis, including his proposal for clinical trials involving medical cannabis. To further his research interests and make a broader impact on the scientific base of medical cannabis, he founded Medicinal Cannabis of Georgia, a private entity focused on advancing cannabis-related research.

His work has significantly advanced the understanding of how cannabinoids interact with immune systems, with promising applications in treating autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions. As a recognized innovator, Dr. Baban was awarded the Regent’s Entrepreneur designation by the Georgia Board of Regents for successfully translating his research into commercial ventures. His interdisciplinary approach—bridging immunology, pharmacology, and clinical science—has solidified his position as a leading figure in medical cannabis research.