Speakers for the 2025 Conference - NMU Great Lakes Cannabis Collaboration Conference

Deciphering the Complex Phytochemistry of Cannabis: From Plant to Extracts

Cannabis production has surged over the last decade due to legalization across the United States and other countries. This has coincided with a significant increase in cannabis breeding, leading to the rapid proliferation of new varieties in the marketplace. Nonetheless, research into various aspects of cannabis and its many extracts remains understudied. Specifically, the chemical understanding underlying the unique aroma characteristics of cannabis is severely lacking, with only terpenes being studied in any significant capacity.

In this presentation, I will discuss our research focused on elucidating the chemical origins of many unique aromas produced by cannabis using two-dimensional gas chromatography. I will highlight our work on uncovering the chemical origins of the “skunk-like” aroma of cannabis and other recently discovered compounds that produce exotic aromas. Finally, I will discuss how these discoveries can aid in the cannabis breeding process, potentially revolutionizing the future of cannabis cultivation.

Dr. Iain Oswald is currently the Director of Research and Development at Abstrax Tech, a cannabis research and technology company located in Southern California. He obtained his B.S. and M.Sc. from the University of North Texas, where he studied organic and inorganic chemistry and conducted research on developing new phosphors for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). He then earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of Texas at Dallas under the mentorship of Professor Julia Chan, focusing on understanding complex intermetallics with exotic electrical and magnetic properties. Following this, he conducted postdoctoral research at Colorado State University with Professor James Nielsen, where he investigated molecular dynamics in perovskite solar cell materials.

Dr. Oswald’s current research interests include elucidating the complex phytochemistry of botanical plants, with a major focus on cannabis and hops. At Abstrax Tech, his research primarily revolves around understanding the volatile organic compounds that produce cannabis's unique aroma. He utilizes state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation, such as two-dimensional gas chromatography, to explore how low-concentration, high-odor-impact analytes affect aroma and to decipher the genetic pathways involved in their biosynthesis. A significant area of his work also examines the potential impact of these compounds on the psychoactive effects of cannabis.

Among his key publications, Dr. Oswald authored a seminal paper in 2021 that identified a new family of volatile sulfur compounds, known as cannasulfur compounds (CSCs), which are responsible for the 'skunky' and 'gassy' aroma in cannabis. In 2023, he published another influential study highlighting that the influence of terpenes on sensory perception of cannabis is largely overstated, whereas many non-terpenoid compounds have a much larger impact.

Dr. Oswald has received numerous accolades for his work, including being selected as one of 50 U.S. graduate students to attend the prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting in 2015. In 2023, he was honored with the ElSohly Award by the Cannabis Subsection of the American Chemical Society for his groundbreaking research on cannabis aroma chemistry.

He has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles, presented at multiple national and local conferences, and is an inventor on numerous patents. Dr. Oswald’s contributions continue to advance our understanding of botanical phytochemistry and its applications.

An update on current regulatory statistics, key issues, new rules, and a glimpse into the future of regulations in Michigan.

Executive Director Brian Hanna was designated by Governor Whitmer to lead Michigan’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) in December 2022. The CRA oversees the medical and adult-use marijuana industries, regulates hemp-derived products, and runs the state’s medical marijuana registry card program. CRA’s mission is to establish Michigan as the national model for a regulatory program that stimulates business growth while preserving safe consumer access to cannabis. 

Brian previously spent 5 years with the CRA as the manager of field operations, inspections, and investigations. He has a law enforcement and military background, having previously worked as a criminal intelligence manager and analyst with MSP and as a Deputy Sheriff for Kalamazoo County. He also served as a Captain in the United States Army Reserve with a combat deployment to Afghanistan from 2010-2011. 

Join Jess Jackson for a deep dive into how social equity remains a viable and sustainable business model in cannabis, despite shifting rhetoric against it. This session will showcase multiple strategies that advance social equity at every level policy decisions, business operations, and consumer behavior. Using Redemption Cannabis and their nonprofit sister organization, the Redemption Foundation, as a model, Jess will explore how embedding social equity into a company’s mission and value proposition not only drives impact but also strengthens long-term profitability. Attendees will gain actionable insights on how to build a brand where equity is not an afterthought but a competitive advantage.

Jess Jackson is a dynamic speaker, policy innovator, and self-help author who thrives at the intersection of systemic change, personal transformation, and entrepreneurship. With a background in Sociology from the University of Michigan, and having earned both an M.Ed and MBA, graduating Summa Cum Laude in each, she brings a deep understanding of social structures, behavioral change, and strategic leadership to all aspects of her work.

As the Director of Social Equity in Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management, she directs a $17 million reinvestment portfolio, shaping policies that advance economic justice, community development, and social equity in cannabis. Her work champions sustainable policy solutions that balance bureaucratic realities with bold innovation, ensuring historically excluded communities have access to opportunity. Her academic grounding in sociology and organizational leadership gives her a unique ability to bridge systemic challenges with human-centered solutions, ensuring policy is both strategic and impactful.

Jess also serves on the Board of Directors for the Redemption Foundation, a nonprofit that has reinvested over $1 million into justice-impacted communities since its founding. Through this role, she works to advance programs that provide support and resources through grantmaking, funding direct services to those currently incarcerated through commissary support, and providing family mutual aid for individuals affected by the war on drugs.

Beyond policy, Jess is the visionary behind Copper Alchemy, a transformative framework for personal and collective healing. Through her writing, speaking, and her signature storytelling style, she empowers individuals to navigate change with resilience, self-acceptance, and strategic agility. She is the author of Sis, You’re Copper and a creator with Habitually, a public health & media platform that supports our collective ability to cultivate habits for tomorrow with actions for today.

Jess is a master at making complex ideas accessible, whether it’s breaking down systemic barriers, reframing personal narratives, or guiding organizations through change. A sought-after speaker, she blends humor, vulnerability, and strategic insight, making her an engaging force on leadership, self-help, and social impact stages.

Her work has been featured in Mic, Gossamer, TEDx, Michigan Advance, Thrillist, and the Association for Talent Development, where she has shared insights on equity, entrepreneurship, and the future of social justice. Whether speaking on navigating bureaucracy, balancing personal branding with systemic work, or leading with authenticity, Jess delivers thought-provoking, actionable insights that inspire audiences to build movements, not just moments.

Kim oversees Detroit's 171 medical and adult-use cannabis business licenses as well as the City's social equity program known as Homegrown Detroit.  Homegrown's mission is to facilitate entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in the cannabis industry by people of color and residents of disproportionately impacted communities. Prior to her tenure in the Office of Cannabis Affairs, she worked as a city attorney focusing on developing the regulatory framework for the Detroit cannabis market from caregiver centers to medical facilities to adult-use establishments.  She has practiced law for over 20 years, and specializes in land use, regulatory compliance, real estate, and contracts.

Shantonya spearheads the office's communication strategy, overseeing media relations, community engagement, and content development. Her responsibilities include building relationships with local and national media, organizing public outreach programs, managing social media platforms, and developing comprehensive communication plans. Shantonya also facilitates public meetings and events, and collaborates with other city departments and stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging and effective policy communication. Her work is crucial in educating the community about cannabis regulations, resources, and initiatives, while fostering a transparent and collaborative environment.
 

Rodney handles the technical setup and processing of the City’s cannabis business license applications. Our mission is to facilitate entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in the cannabis industry by ensuring residents of disproportionately impacted communities are aware and ready to participate. In his previous roles with the Detroit Land Bank Authority, he worked to help renters become homeowners. His work at the Land Bank saw the successful reintroduction of thousands of properties onto the tax roles and back into productive use.

Ryjean is responsible for proactively engaging with licensed cannabis businesses operating within the City.

Ryjean earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Justice Studies and Psychology from Georgia Southern University in 2011. After college, he worked as a Probation Officer for the Georgia Department of Corrections, providing offender counseling and case management services.

During that time, he began to see the harsh realities of the War on Drugs, particularly in communities of color. As cannabis gained greater societal acceptance in the 2010s, he also began to observe that those same individuals most impacted by the War on Drugs were the least likely to benefit from the burgeoning legal industry.

Ryjean combines over a decade of experience as an operations specialist, account manager, event planner, and customer service professional to function effectively as a connector of people. An avid musician and digital creator, he also earned an Associate of Science degree in Audio Technology & Music Business in 2014.

In his free time, Ryjean enjoys traveling, spending time with family, creating content for social media, and keeping abreast of current events in politics. He is also involved with the cannabis advocacy organization NORML. Ryjean was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia.
 

Ishani Sharma was most recently a shift lead at High Profile Cannabis Shop (formerly Cannabis Lupus Café) in Marquette, MI, and is currently a part-time cannabis research student in the Chemistry department at NMU. Under the mentorship of Dr. Maris Cinelli, she focuses on discovering, studying and quantifying alkaloids in cannabis. She graduated from NMU’s Medicinal Plant Chemistry program in May 2024, having previously led a funded capstone research project quantifying rosmarinic acid in Ocimum tenuiflorum while working as a stockroom associate for the Chemistry department.

Ishani began her journey in the cannabis industry in October 2021 as a part-time receptionist at Cannabis Lupus Café. Over the years, she gained expertise in sales, budtending, and compliance. In June 2022, she played an important role in the dispensary’s transition to High Profile following its acquisition by C3 Industries. She was promoted to full-time Shift Lead in April 2024—coincidentally during the 2024 Great Lakes Cannabis Collaboration Conference. Over the past year, Ishani has focused on optimizing store operations, educating consumers, and overseeing small-scale marketing initiatives. She values the real-world insights gained from direct consumer interactions and first-hand feedback on cannabis’s effects.

Beyond the dispensary, Ishani has explored various facets of the cannabis industry, including touring cultivation facilities, extraction labs, and cannabis farms. She has also represented brands as an ambassador at a 420 cannabis festival. Her combined experience in research and retail fuels her passion for cannabis education, innovation, and industry advancement.

Morgan Naumann is a recent graduate of NMU, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Medicinal Plant Chemistry with a minor in Indoor Agriculture in December 2022. Now working as a Retail Director and Cultivation Supervisor at Boreal Cannabis in Gwinn, MI, she has spent the past two years in the industry, focusing on the efficient production and sales of organic, sustainably cultivated commercial cannabis. Passionate about producing clean, medical-grade cannabis in a recreational market saturated with remediated products, Morgan enjoys applying her academic background to real-world cultivation techniques and challenges. She is excited to share her experiences transitioning from student to professional and offer insights to current students.

Christopher Aguilar is a Team Lead at Higher Love Cannabis Co. in Marquette, MI, and Owner of Transparent Farms. Christopher is a first-generation student from Corpus Christi, Texas and graduated from NMU’s Controlled Environment Agriculture program in December 2024. 

Christopher found his love for cannabis at a young age with his father working for cannabis companies in California and Colorado. Christopher entered the cannabis industry in January 2024 as a part-time budtender at Higher Love. Driven by passion, knowledge, transparency, and customer relations, he has exceeded expectations at the store level and was promoted to Team Lead in November 2024.

As owner of Transparent Farms, he has focused on small batch cannabis, consulting, and affordable cultivation methods for everyday consumers and medical patients. Christopher has made strides in self-marketing and networking with likeminded individuals in the cannabis industry. Christopher believes that one day at a time we continue to break the stigma of cannabis and state by state we are closer to national legalization.

Sam attended Northern Michigan University, graduating in May of 2024 with a bachelor's degree in Controlled Environment Agriculture. Following graduation, he began working in the cannabis industry as a grow technician at High Society in Warren, Michigan. The continued growth of the company allowed him to gain valuable experience and insights, including the buildout and launch of a brand new grow facility, leading to a recent promotion to Assistant Head Grower focusing on propagation. 

Samuel attended Northern Michigan University and received his associate degree in Indoor Agriculture, May 2023.  Samuel’s passion for agriculture began at a young age, where he participated in two separate FFA chapters throughout high-school. 

After receiving his degree, Samuel worked at Nature’s Medicines in Battle Creek. Eventually he became the mom team lead, and head cloner.  Later, Samuel returned to Marquette where he now works on the propagation/small veg team at Higher Love Cannabis Co. 

The community is invited to join Dr. Alex Wilson’s Medicinal Plant Chemistry Seminar to hear Twinke Paryani talk about:

The Science of Scent: Exploring Cannabis’s Complex Aromatic Influences

The recent increase in Cannabis sativa L. legality has led to interest in developing new varieties with unique aromatic or effect-driven traits. Selectively breeding plants for genetic stability and consistent secondary metabolite profiles is one application of phenotyping. While widely used in the cannabis industry, few studies examine the chemical data differentiating phenotypes aromatically.

To explore secondary metabolite diversity among progeny, we analyzed five ice water hash rosin extracts from different phenotypes of the same crossing using comprehensive 2D gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry, flame ionization detection, and sulfur chemiluminescence detection. These results were correlated with a human sensory panel, revealing specific low-concentration compounds that strongly influence sensory perception.

We found aroma differences between certain phenotypes driven by key minor, nonterpenoid compounds, including the newly reported 3-mercaptohexyl hexanoate. Additionally, we identified octanoic and decanoic acids, which contribute to cheese-like aromas in cannabis. These findings establish that even genetically similar phenotypes can possess diverse and distinct aromas arising not from dominant terpenes but key minor volatile compounds. Moreover, this study underscores the value of detailed chemical analyses in enhancing selective breeding and understanding aroma differentiation.

Twinkle Paryani is a cannabis research scientist with a background in public health where she began her career with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzing tobacco metabolites. In 2021 she transitioned to the cannabis industry first working in an analytical testing lab before shifting to focus more on research and development of novel compounds for formulations and production optimization at Abstrax Tech in 2022. Her work identifying the molecules responsible for tropical and cheese aroma profiles as well as other tangential research projects has resulted in two peer-reviewed publications, and five conference presentations. She is interested in applying analytical chemistry for the maximum community impact and is passionate about making science accessible, appearing in over a dozen podcast, webinars, and other public education medias.  

Topics of expertise:

Analytical chemistry, aroma, strain specificity, flavorants, terpenes, rosin, product development, product formulation, GCMS analysis, cannabis testing, two-dimensional gas chromatography, sulfur compounds in cannabis.

As an analytical chemist, cannabis researcher, and patient, I bring a unique perspective on how advanced chemical analysis can drive innovation, quality control, and consumer trust. My expertise in comprehensive 2D gas chromatography and minor volatile compound identification helps bridge the gap between cutting-edge cannabis research and real-world industry applications. By researching the correlation between chemical data with sensory perception. Insights from this research empower retail and brand executives to develop superior products, and also showcase the capability of data-driven product research. Through experimentation, exploration, and education, in-depth chemical research becomes more accessible and actionable for the whole industry.