Thanks for visiting my website! My research focuses how ecological interactions in Cannabis are mediated by its phytochemistry. I am particularly interested in hemp-insect interactions and how abiotic stress affects hemp phytochemical concentrations and profiles. Capturing beautiful pictures of insects on Cannabis is one of the perks of my work - I hope you enjoy them!
Please feel welcome to contact me for more information about my work.
About me:In 2004, I began growing medical Cannabis under CA’s proposition 215 as a qualified patient. As a legacy grower and contributor to Bay Area dispensaries, including the pioneering Harborside Health Center, I navigated the evolving industry and its regulatory challenges. Local municipalities were constantly developing new regulations, often creating a moving target for patients and cooperatives to remain in compliance. I was actively involved in local political efforts to address these issues.
While pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Biology, I noticed that many established horticultural practices in cannabis cultivation, while valuable, did not always align with what I was learning in my coursework. This drove me to persue an advanced degree to learn how to scientifically test these practices, learning how to design experiments and apply appropriate statistical methods. My interest in insects, combined with a desire to engage in high-quality scientific inquiry, led me to Drs. Lee Dyer and Matt Forister at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Their research in chemical ecology intersected with my own interests in chemically unique plants and insects. In the fall of 2016, I joined their labs and became the first person at UNR to grow hemp at the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, under a permit from the Nevada Department of Agriculture (2018). My background in the cannabis industry was invaluable, not only for my knowledge of established agronomic practices but also for the access it provided to a historically clandestine community. My unique position allowed me access to farms that would not have been available to other academic researchers. To date, I have collected over 4,000 insects across five western states from both hemp and marijuana, established a wild-caught Helicoverpa zea colony, conducted outdoor drought hemp experiments (2018-2020), performed Lepidopteran feeding bioassays with extracts from UNR-grown hemp, and completed a comparative study of the phytochemistry and insect communities between feral and cultivated hemp. I am actively seeking collaborations, post-doctoral positions, and other professional opportunities where I can apply my unique expertise. Please contact me if you are interested. |
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When I'm not wrangling insects, data or chemistry, I'm wrangling these two pups!!!
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