St Paul, Minnesota, United States
With rich fascination for the biology, cultivation history, and array of potential uses of _Cannabis sativa_, I managed cannabis research as a PhD Research Professional in the laboratory of Professor George Weiblen, Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota. Since 2016, my work has addressed the genetics/genomics of major cannabinoid phenotypes using cannabis mapping populations, has tested regional agronomic practices for production of industrial hemp, and has lead re-domestication breeding of regionally adapted hemp varieties from North American feral cannabis germplasm. The projects I manage address basic biology & genetics, applied agronomic practice, interdisciplinary/intercultural support of Indigenous interests in hemp production, and the potential of industrial hemp as an effective tool for remediation of petroleum contaminated soils. Published work includes both the first linkage map of Cannabis sativa L., the first chromosome-resolved Cannabis genome and linkage map, and the first North American continent-wide survey of population-level feral cannabis major cannabinoid phenotypic, genetic, and genome-wide diversity and genetic structure. Previous research appointments have equipped me with rich experience in forward & reverse genetic analyses of plant (e.g. arabidopsis) biology using a broad variety of molecular techniques including: map-based cloning, plasmid construction & plant transformation, conventional & quantitative real-time PCR for analyses of transcription-level gene expression, and high-throughput PACE (TM) genotyping. Across these areas of expertise, I am a both a contributing peer-reviewed author and conference presenter. Additionally, I have experience in university-level course & laboratory instruction across the biological sciences and plant biology/botany in particular. These first-hand experiences, acquired within the context of DEA-registration compliant handling & audit-ready curation of Schedule I 'marihuana', position me strongly and perhaps uniquely to provide exceptional value across a wide-gamut of cannabis-related research, regulatory, and applied functions.
Genetic linkage and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of CBDA and THCA synthase loci and cannabinoid content in a segregating Cannabis F2 population. Field identification and collection of feral Cannabis seed as germplasm for development of locally-adapted hemp lines as industrial and nutritional crops.
Research in molecular genetics of auxin signal transduction in Arabidopsis. Demonstrated changes in auxin-induced gene expression in SAUR mutants of Arabidopsis (Plant J 70, 978-990). Mapped and identified mutations in PHYD and RPB9B that suppress the tir1-1 auxin response phenotype in Arabidopsis (results presented at 2011 International Conference on Arabidopsis Research, Madison, Wisconsin).
Research in molecular genetics of Arabidopsis, Medicago, and Cannabis trichome development and metabolism. Contributed to molecular genetic understanding of trichome development in Arabidopsis (Mol Plant 2, 803-822; Plant J 52, 352-361). Contributed to molecular genetic understanding of secondary metabolic pathways in Medicago truncatula (Plant Physiol 151, 1114-1129). Contributed to understanding of cannabinoid biosynthetic pathways in Cannabis sativa (J Exp Bot 60, 3715-3726). Constructed AFLP-based QTL map for expression of cannabinoid compounds in Cannabis sativa (results presented at 2009 Annual Meeting of the Botanical Society of America, Snow Bird, Utah).
Forensic analysis of Cannabis material using AFLP profiling.