News & Events
The initiative鈥檚 activities in the area of cannabis and hemp are:
- Conducting studies on the agricultural aspects of cultivating hemp
- Partnering with businesses to contribute to the local community
- Developing a lab to test and study hemp grown on campus or in partnership with other farms
- Hosting conferences and webinars on cannabis and hemp industry relevant subjects
The vision of the Cannabis & Hemp Research Initiative at 淫性视频 is to become the premier research site in New Jersey for agricultural cannabis and hemp, and to establish a platform to discuss important topics in the industry with members of the academic and business community.
Upcoming Events:
淫性视频鈥檚 Cannabis & Hemp Research Initiative hopes you enjoyed our 4th Annual Cannabis Curriculum Conveining!
Past Events:
2024 Events
- April 26th and 27th, 2024 (Zoom)
Topic - 4th Annual Cannabis Curriculum Conveining
- March 7th, 2024 (Zoom)
Topic - Hospitality and Tourism
2023 Events
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June 1st, 2023 (Zoom)
Topic - Examining the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy鈥檚 recent New Jersey cannabis poll.
Free Quarterly Cannabis Education Panel w/ the Hughes Center for Public Policy.
Find out what consumers are saying about the New Jersey legal adult use cannabis market.-
Moderator: Rob Mejia, Teaching Specialist in Cannabis Studies at 淫性视频
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Panelist: Alyssa Maurice, Research Associate at the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at 淫性视频.
The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at 淫性视频 serves as a catalyst for research, analysis and innovative policy solutions on the economic, social and cultural issues facing New Jersey, and promotes the civic life of New Jersey through engagement, education and research.
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April 26-27th, 2023: 淫性视频 Third Cannabis Curriculum Convening
2022 Events
- December 1st, 2022 : Cannabis and Hemp Research Initiative Quarterly Education Panel Topic: The Status of Hemp in New Jersey.
- November 1st, 2022: 6th Cannabis Career Fair & Business Expo
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November 17, 2021: Fall Career and Cannabis Education Event
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December 1, 2021: All About Hemp
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On April 21st and 22nd 淫性视频's Cannabis & Hemp Research Initiative was pleased to host our first Cannabis Curriculum Convening. Over 30 professors participated in the event.
- March 15th 2022 Quarterly education panel focusing on Cannabis Hospitality and Tourism
- March 16th 2022 Cannabis Higher Education Panel at NJ Cannabis Insider鈥檚 Spring Conference
- April 5th was our second Cannabis Career Fair and Business Expo at 淫性视频's Galloway campus
- April 21st and 22nd, 2022 was 淫性视频's Cannabis & Hemp Research Initiative's second Cannabis Curriculum Convening over zoom.
- June 1st, 2022 we had another Cannabis and Hemp Research Initiative Quarterly Education Panel on Topic: Real Estate and Compliance; Start Right and Stay on the Right Track With Your Cannabis Business via Zoom.
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September 9th, 2022 we had another Cannabis and Hemp Research Initiative Quarterly Education Panel on Topic: Analysis of Updated New Jersey Cannabis Rules and Regulations (expected rules and regulations update anticipated on or around August 19th, 2022) via Zoom.
Meet the Cannabis Curriculum Convening Panelists
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our esteemed panelists, both past and present - who have contributed their invaluable expertise, contributions and insights to our audience.
![Rob Mejia](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/rob-mejia-tn.jpg)
Rob Mejia
![Dr. Ekaterina Sedia](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/Sedia2020.jpg)
Dr. Ekaterina Sedia
![Marne Coit](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/marnecoit.jpg)
Marne Coit
![Dr. Gerry Berkowitz](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/gerryberkowitz.jpeg)
Dr. Gerry Berkowitz
![Koral Fritz](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/koralfritzheadshot.jpg)
Koral Fritz
![Jennifer Maden](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/Jen-Maden-Rowan-September-2018_tiny.jpg)
Jennifer Maden
![Dan Grodberg](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/dan-g.jpg)
Dan Grodberg
![Thomas Olah](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/tomolahheadshot.png)
Thomas Olah
![Benjamin Southwell](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/bensouthwellheadshot.png)
Benjamin Southwell
![John Fraser](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/johnfraserpic.jpg)
John Fraser
![Lesley Judd](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/Lesley-Judd.jpg)
Lesley Judd
![Samuel Haiden](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/samhaidenheadshot.jpeg)
Samuel Haiden
![Marguerite Bolt](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/bolt-study.jpg)
Marguerite Bolt
![Jason Wilson](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/Jason-wilson.jpg)
Jason Wilson
![Dr. Linda Klumpers](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/linda-klumpers.jpg)
Dr. Linda Klumpers
![Val Fiero](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/Val-fiero.jpg)
Val Fiero
![Thomas Crouse PharmD.](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/thomas-crou.jpg)
Thomas Crouse PharmD.
![Kelly Goldberg](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/kelly-g.jpg)
Kelly Goldberg
![Enrique Lavin](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/enriquelavinheadshot.jpeg)
Enrique Lavin
![Jess Gonzalez](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/JessGonzalez.jpg)
Jess Gonzalez
![Alejandro Rodriguez](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/AlejandroRodriguez.jpg)
Alejandro Rodriguez
![Thomas Gianfagna](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/Thomasgianfagnaheadshot.png)
Thomas Gianfagna
![Stephen Philpott Jr.](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/StephenPhilpottJr.jpg)
Stephen Philpott Jr.
![Dr. Kyle Howard](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/KyleHoward.jpg)
Dr. Kyle Howard
![Jodi Schwartz](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/JodiSchwartz.jpg)
Jodi Schwartz
![Jackson Rund](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/JacksonRundPhoto.jpg)
Jackson Rund
![Faye Coleman](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/FayeColemanPhoto.jpg)
Faye Coleman
![Hugh Giordano](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/HughGiordanoPhoto.jpg)
Hugh Giordano
![Michael Zaytsev](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/MikeZaytsev.png)
Michael Zaytsev
![Paul Seaborn](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/PaulSeabornPhoto.jpg)
Paul Seaborn
![Tauhid Chappell](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/TauhidChappellPhoto.jpg)
Tauhid Chappell
![Bonnie Rabin](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/BonnieRabin.png)
Bonnie Rabin
![John Lipford](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/JohnLipfordPhoto.jpg)
John Lipford
![Ginny Moore](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/GinnyMoore.jpg)
Ginny Moore
![Dr. Ara Karakashian](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/DRara.png)
Dr. Ara Karakashian
![Natalie Cox](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/NatalieCox.jpg)
Natalie Cox
![Matt DeBacco](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/MattDeBacco.jpg)
Matt DeBacco
![Dr. Stephen Johnson](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/JohnsonSteveDean.jpg)
Dr. Stephen Johnson
![Jonathan Jankowski](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/JohnJank.png)
Jonathan Jankowski
![Magnus Thorsson](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/MagnusThorssonHeadshot.jpg)
Magnus Thorsson
![Laura Pontiggia](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/LauraPontiggiaPhoto.jpg)
Laura Pontiggia
![Dr. Jacci Bainbridge](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/JacciBainbridgePhoto.png)
Dr. Jacci Bainbridge
![Connie Pascal](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/ConniePascalPhoto.jpg)
Connie Pascal
Past Cannabis Curriculum Convening Panelists
![Mariah Duffey](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/mariahduffey.png)
Mariah Duffey
![Anna Schwabe](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/anneschwabe.png)
Anna Schwabe
Dr. Anna Schwabe is a researcher and educator with expertise in Cannabis genetics
and biology and has considerable experience in a variety of scientific fields. She
holds a BS, an MS and PhD from the University of Northern Colorado her doctoral research
involved evaluating genotypic and phenotypic variation in Cannabis. Her research spans
several disciplines, including genetics, conservation, and education. She is an Adjunct
Faculty member at the University of Northern Colorado, and an Associate Lecture Professor
at the University of Colorado co-teaching Modern Cannabis Science with Dr. Daniela
Vergara.She is currently in New Jersey working with a company growing certified organic
Cannabis (CBD) using aquaponic cultivation methods. She is passionate about Cannabis
science and facilitating consistency in the cannabis industry.
![Susan Dupej](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/SusanDupejHeadshot.jpg)
Susan Dupej
Dr. Susan Dupej is a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Guelph in the School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management. Her research investigates the social and economic impacts of federally legalized cannabis on Canada's tourism industry. Cannabis normalization, social responsibility around consumption, motivations and interests of the 'canna-tourist', the development of farmgate sales, and the opportunities for cannabis agritourism in Canada more broadly are key areas of study. Dr. Dupej is a founding member of and Interim Co-Chair for the Canadian Cannabis Tourism Alliance (CCTA). She also teaches a variety of tourism and geography courses.
@cannabistourismresearch
![Jimmie Sanders](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/JS0Pic.jpg)
Jimmie Sanders
Jimmie is a tireless advocate for students - with over 18 years of higher education leadership experience and 20 years of teaching at the university level. During that time, Jimmie led programs to enhance student retention and persistence to high school graduation and to strengthen community partnerships. Furthermore, he has collaborated with other external and campus partners to provide direction for underrepresented student populations, offer guidance on campus issues relating to diversity, inclusion, multicultural affairs, as well as the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Currently, Jimmie Sanders is the Director of Student Development for the Department of Urban Agriculture at Olive Harvey College. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director of Educational Outreach Programs and the Director of the Educational Talent Search Program at Purdue University Northwest. Prior to his work for Purdue Northwest's Educational Opportunity Programs/Student Affairs Office, Jimmie led Chicago State University鈥檚 Chicagoland Regional College Program, for eight years, which offered financial assistance, educational outreach, and academic support service programs for first-generation and underserved students. In addition, over the past 20 years, he has served as an adjunct professor at several institutions including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Chicago State University, Purdue University Northwest, and Ivy Tech Community College.
Growing up, during the late 1980s, surrounded by violence, drugs, and gangs in the Miller Housing Projects of Gary, Jimmie changed the direction of his life by studying success, motivation, leadership, and graduating from Northwestern University. Jimmie was the first Black male to graduate high school from the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities at Ball State University. From there, he attended Northwestern University, where he became the President of For Members Only, the Black Student Union. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Social Policy with a specialization in Counseling Psychology. Immediately following undergrad, Jimmie attended graduate programs at the University of Illinois, where he graduated with two separate Masters Degrees in Sociology (Race, Class, and Gender) and Human Resources Management (Labor Relations).
![Leah Sera](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/leah-sera.jpg)
Leah Sera
Leah Sera, PharmD, MA, BCPS (she/her/hers)
Program Co-Director, MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics
Associate Professor, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science
![Brandon Nichols](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/brandonnicholsheadshot.jpg)
Brandon Nichols
Dr. Brandon Nichols serves as the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Olive-Harvey College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. He describes himself as being a mission-driven, students-first educator. Nichols is a servant and transformative leader which underscores the belief in sharing power, putting the needs of others first, and helping stakeholders to develop and perform as highly as possible. Areas of expertise includes, accreditation and compliance, student learning assessment, programmatic review, and professional development. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and a Doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University - Washington, DC.
![Amanda Gettes](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/agheadshot-min.png)
Amanda Gettes
Amanda Gettes serves as the Executive Director 鈥 Strategic Initiatives at Olive-Harvey College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. As a natural connector, Amanda works with internal and external stakeholders to promote programs, grow partnerships and align work with the mission of OHC. In addition to these responsibilities, Amanda oversees the Research & Planning for the College, Marketing, Community Relations, Workforce Development and the Child Development Lab Center. Amanda has a Bachelor鈥檚 of Science from Purdue University College of Agriculture and a Master鈥檚 of Public Administration from Illinois Institute of Technology.
![Akilah Easter](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/akilaheasterbiophoto.png)
Akilah Easter
Akilah Siti Easter serves as the Department Chair of Urban Agriculture at Olive Harvey College. She has worked with the City Colleges of Chicago for 11 years. As a tenured Assistant Professor with CCC, Akilah has assisted with the development of the Applied Cannabis Studies curriculum pathway ; authoring courses in Cannabis Sciences, Cannabis Processing, Cannabis Field Practicum, and Entering the Cannabis Industry. She continues to develop curriculum under the Urban Agriculture Department at Olive Harvey College with emerging pathways in Urban Agriculture and Community Advocacy.
Akilah鈥檚 zeal for agriculture began in her childhood years on her family farm, which
she now owns as a fourth-generation farm girl. Akilah hopes to bring the history of
agriculture back to the Black community and communities of color in the urban setting.
With a goal of righting the wrongs and building true equity in the urban agriculture
and cannabis space.
Akilah is also a culture and etiquette expert for over 25 years, she has shared her
expertise with The New York Times, NBC networks, Parents Magazine, Fox 32, Crain鈥檚
Business and many other media outlets on various cultural topics including cannabis
etiquette.
![Valerie Battaglia](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/Valerie-Battaglia.jpg)
Valerie Battaglia
Valerie Battaglia is an impassioned cannabis researcher and writer who is eager to begin her Ph.D. in cannabis neuropharmacology in early 2024. Currently, Valerie is pursuing her bachelor鈥檚 of Health Sciences degree at Thomas Jefferson University and works as a cannabis research consultant. In addition to being a long-time medical cannabis patient herself, her partner also works in the cannabis industry as a product specialist.
When Valerie graduated high school at just 16-years-old, she began her journey as a freelance writer the summer before starting college. While pursuing her Associate鈥檚 degrees in Liberal Arts and Journalism, Valerie began selling a variety of education CBD and cannabis articles to her clients. By her sophomore year of college, she founded a digital magazine, The Burgundy Zine, which featured a variety of art, science, and health & wellness content 鈥 including cannabis content. For three years, she regularly featured product reviews, interviews with industry experts, and covered several major cannabis events in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. During this time period, she also worked for her local state representative as a Constituent Services Advisor, where she would help veterans and other constituents with state services, including applying for their medical marijuana cards in Pennsylvania.
Since her exit from The Burgundy Zine, Valerie has continued to pursue a career in
the cannabis industry as a research consultant while working toward her graduate degree.
During her time as a research consultant, Valerie has put together an entire Cannabis
101 that covers the ins-and-outs of the endocannabinoid system, phytocannabinoids,
terpenes, and cannabis plant biology. She also currently writes educational blog content
and newsletters for the publication Think About Cannabis.
A portfolio of Valerie鈥檚 writing is available here:
![Lewis Ball](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/lewis-ball.jpeg)
Lewis Ball
I graduated from City Colleges of Chicago at Kennedy-King College in 2016 with an A.A. in general studies. I鈥檓 a U.S. Army veteran, and I returned to school for the Cannabis program which offers much more than I could have imagined.
![Sarah Ahrens](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/Sarah-Ahrens-headshot.jpg)
Sarah Ahrens
Sarah Ahrens is CEO of True Labs for Cannabis, among the first laboratories in New Jersey fully dedicated to cannabis testing. True Labs is the first certified woman-owned cannabis analytical laboratory on the East Coast. Sarah also serves as Chair of the Laboratory Testing Committee for the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association (NJCBA), advocating for best practices in the Garden State's emerging cannabis industry.
![Otha Smith III](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/otha-smith.jpg)
Otha Smith III
Otha Smith III is CEO and Founder of Tetragram based out of Baltimore, MD. Tetragram is a mobile platform that empowers cannabis and CBD consumers with the ability to Track, Rate, and Share their personal experiences with others. Tetragram was recognized by The Cannigma as one of the Best Cannabis Journaling Apps and Otha was selected by Marijuana Venture Magazine as one of The Top 40 under 40 Rising Stars in cannabis.
![Mary Buckley](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/Mary-Buckley.jpg)
Mary Buckley
Mary Buckley is the founder of Buckley Consulting Services, LLC., a boutique consulting firm which specializes in internship program development, recruitment, event coordination and project management. In May 2021, Mary partnered with Lowell Farms, Inc. to oversee Lowell鈥檚 university outreach programs and design the inaugural summer internship program with a focus on Cultivation, Extraction, Farm Services and Finance. Mary鈥檚 more than 20 years of higher education experience in experiential education, career services, study abroad programs, and employer relations provides her with a distinct understanding of all three viewpoints: the university, the student and the employer. This perspective allows Mary to develop, recruit and manage Lowell鈥檚 university outreach and internship programs. She draws great joy from facilitating these programs and seeing first-hand how they impact students鈥 lives and solidify their career direction.
Mary holds an MBA in Hospitality Administration from Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI. Mary can be reached via email at Mbuckley@buckleyconsultingservices.com or via LinkedIn at
Dr. Paola Cubillos
![Rebecca Colett](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/rebecca-c.png)
Rebecca Colett
Rebecca is an Experienced Entrepreneur, Technology Professional, and Cannabis Advocate She is the CEO of the first African American women-owned and operated Cannabis Cultivation and Processing Brand in the midwest, Calyxeum. She also leads a Cannabis consulting firm, community-based Nonprofit, and Social Equity incubator, The Detroit Cannabis Project. Rebecca has over 7 years of experience in the Legal Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis Industry. She has worked alongside the Bureau of Cannabis Control in California, The Michigan Regulatory Agency, and the City of Detroit during the development of their Social Equity licensing programs.
She has served on the State Board of NORML, National Board for the NCIA, and licensing experience in the Los Angeles, Maryland, and Michigan Cannabis markets. Rebecca is a serial entrepreneur and has launched a successful gym franchise, a thriving technology consulting firm, and an End to End Cannabis Cannabis incubator platform. Rebecca has also been featured at countless National Cannabis Conferences and has lobbied on Capitol Hill in DC, and the State Capitols for Michigan, Georgia, California, and Maryland for Equity in Cannabis as well as Veteran Access to Medical Cannabis. Rebecca holds a B.S in Business from Florida A&M University, an MBA from Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago as well as a Masters in Supply Chain from Georgia Tech.
![Cree Robinson](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/cree-r.jpg)
Cree Robinson
Cree Robinson is a Detroit-based tech co-founder and social justice advocate within the cannabis industry. A graduate of Spelman College, she co-founded touCanna, a full-scale operations management software for dispensaries and consumption lounges. She is passionate about social equity and ensuring that those harmed by the war on drugs achieve ownership within the industry. She is currently investing her time into building programs around supporting social equity applicants after they have been awarded licenses.
![Kristen Yoder](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/kristen-y.jpg)
Kristen Yoder
Kristen Yoder, featured in Vanity Fair, Forbes, USA Today and named one of Marijuana Venture Magazine's 鈥40 Under 40 Rising Stars of Cannabis鈥, is a 16 year Los Angeles industry veteran, strategic advisor, and radio and podcast personality who has managed successful businesses in every sector of the cannabis industry.
As the cannabis industry becomes inundated with dishonest businesses and misleading information campaigns, Kristen's popularity as an outspoken and trusted authority on a variety of subjects has led her to teaching classes, speaking at events, on podcasts, in print and online media both nationally and internationally.
When she isn't sharing her fierce wit and
sparkling personality on stage or on the air,
she is busy creating new designs for her guerilla education campaign disguised as
a 鈥渃lothing brand鈥, Cynical Stoner.
CONTACT INFO
Website:
Store:
Podcast:
Email:
Kristen@soiltotheoil.com
Linkedin:
Linktree:
![Vanessa Fishback](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/VF.jpeg)
Vanessa Fishback
Dr. Vanessa Fishback is an instructor in the Chemistry Department at the University of Colorado at Denver. She specializes in Organic chemistry and started teaching Cannabis Chemistry every spring as an advanced undergraduate/graduate course in the Spring of 2017. The spring 2017 version was the first Cannabis Chemistry academic course offered in the nation.
![Noah Yates](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/Noah-Yates.jpg)
Noah Yates
My name is Noah Yates and I'm approaching my last semester required for my Bachelor of Science in Cannabis Chemistry degree. I spent my freshman year at GVSU as a biomed major and decided to pursue cannabis chemistry after the 2018 midterms that legalized recreational use in Michigan. I spent a year at Grand Rapids Community College prior to transferring to LSSU where my passion for chemistry grew. Upon graduation, I will be working at a licensed extraction lab but hope to continue to explore the compliance aspect of this industry.
![Shawnee Williams](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/Shawnee-Headshot.jpg)
Shawnee Williams
Shawnee Williams is the co-founder at Illinois Equity Staffing, an MBE and WBE firm based in Chicago, that supports the cannabis industry in education, talent acquisition, human resources administration, and consulting. Shawnee and her business partner Lynette Johnson founded Illinois Equity Staffing because they understood the barriers to entry for lower and middle-class people, minorities, and women in the cannabis industry. Both having the 鈥淐orporate America鈥 background, Shawnee and Lynette, understand the pain points of this population, as they both grew up in disproportionately impacted areas and are minority women. It's this perspective that has allowed Illinois Equity Staffing to bridge the gap and create a more equitable cannabis industry. Shawnee is a member of IWC, Chicago NORML, MCBA, the Cannabis Equity Coalition, and BIPOCANN. She also serves as the chair of the Human Resources Committee with the National Cannabis Industry Association.
![Dr. Daniela Vergara](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/daniela-vergara.png)
Dr. Daniela Vergara
Dr. Daniela Vergara is an evolutionary biologist, data analyst, educator, scientific
writer, and public speaker with a B.S from the Univesidad de los Andes in microbiology
and Ph.D. from Indiana University in Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Minoring in
Genetics. In addition to her multiple publications, she founded and directs a non-profit
organization, the Agricultural Genomics Foundation (AGF; AgriculturalGenomics.org).
AGF aims to make hemp and cannabinoid science available to a broad public. Vergara
has been part of scientific teams at private companies including Steep Hill, Inc.
who are a global leader in agricultural testing, and the biotech company Front Range
Biosciences. She recently joined the Harvest New York Extension Team from Cornell
University as an 鈥楨merging Crop Specialist鈥 to help hemp farmers with their crop.
Vergara is also an international consultant and policy advisor and has advised companies
in the US and Latin America.
![Jason Thomas](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/Jason-Thomas.jpg)
Jason Thomas
Jason, an established regulatory compliance professional within the Cannabis & Pharmaceutical industries, is on a mission to legitimize and standardize the US cannabis market through the deployment of safe, sustainable, best in class compliance standards and practices. With over 22 years of regulatory audit, inspection readiness, and quality management experience, he works tirelessly to help his clients establish cannabis operations and maintain a state of 24/7 compliance across the New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania markets. Recognizing the importance, and value, derived from the quality and compliance functions within an organization, Jason often speaks at cannabis educational events and seminars to highlight the career opportunities available to young professionals entering this emerging landscape.
Over the course of his career, Jason has traveled the world, multiple times over, auditing and consulting for pharmaceutical and cannabis companies, with a focus on safeguarding public health and establishing compliant operations. From inspecting to facing off with the inspectors, he as been on both sides of the operational fence. Driven by operational excellence, he strives to ensure that quality management systems and compliance programs are appropriately designed and implemented to meet state/federal regulatory requirements, industry standards, and to produce safe, quality products. During his tenure at Pfizer, Jason has also led and acted as a key stakeholder in many transformational corporate activities including corporate merger and acquisition integrations, IT strategy design & alignment, quality management governance programs, data center consolidations, blockchain pilots, cloud strategies, and robotic process automation to name a few. Jason has obtained his CISA and cGMP certifications to ensure that he remains on the forefront of the life science industry and holds an MBA from the Stevens Institute of Technology, as well as a BS in Computer Science from S.U.N.Y. New Paltz.
In 2019, after pitching his business model to Pfizer鈥檚 Venture Center and CFO, Jason left the pharmaceutical world and founded Precision Quality and Compliance. PQC is a life science advisory group focused on providing an array of GxP, ISO, and IT advisory and audit/inspection services to the cannabis industry. Recognizing the challenges, the industry is facing with the inconsistent state-to-state programs and lack of standardized quality/compliance requirements, Jason and his team are on a mission to ensure that patients and consumers are provided with safe, clean for consumption products. Rooted in the life science industries, their team of QUALITY, COMPLIANCE, AUDIT, RISK MANAGEMENT, & IT professionals are perfectly positioned to help cannabis operators obtain a license, establish a strong state of internal control, and maintain a state of inspection readiness inspection readiness.
Jason is also the founder of the Grassroots Collaboration Group (est. 2018), an emerging industry business incubator and mentorship resource center, designed to bring innovative and entrepreneurial minds together to grow and thrive. Passionate about helping others bring their dreams to life, Jason built the GCG to act as a stepping stone into the technology & cannabis industries, and a resource rich ecosystem for aspiring entrepreneurs.
![Darrin Chandler](/cannabis-hemp-research-initiative/images/Darrin-Chandler.jpg)
Darrin Chandler