Today, the Irvine Center for Addiction Neuroscience (ICAN) is thrilled to announce significant changes in its leadership. As many may already be aware, Professor Marcelo Wood, who has served as the director of ICAN since 2016, is stepping down from his role.

 This transition marks a moment of reflection and gratitude for Professor Wood’s dedication to ICAN. Under his visionary leadership, ICAN has evolved into a beacon of excellence in addiction neuroscience research and education. Professor Wood’s tenure has been marked by profound advancements in understanding addiction and its societal ramifications. As we express our deepest appreciation to Professor Wood for his service, we are excited to introduce the dynamic duo who will lead ICAN into its next phase of growth and innovation. Associate Professor Stephen Mahler will assume the role of ICAN’s new director, bringing with him a wealth of expertise and passion for addiction neuroscience. His leadership promises to usher ICAN into new realms of discovery and impact. Joining Professor Mahler is Professor Christie Fowler, who will serve as Co-Director of ICAN. Together, their combined knowledge and experience position ICAN for continued success and influence in the field of addiction neuroscience. The ICAN community can rest assured that under the guidance of Professor Mahler and Professor Fowler, the center’s mission of fostering collaboration, advancing research and promoting addiction scientific literacy will remain steadfast. Their leadership ensures that ICAN will continue to lead the charge in addiction neuroscience research and education. We invite you to join us in congratulating Professor Mahler and Professor Fowler on their new roles, and in expressing heartfelt appreciation to Professor Wood for his invaluable contributions to ICAN. We are eager to witness the continued impact and innovation that ICAN will achieve under their visionary leadership.