Our powerful group...

...is made up of people who commit and deliver
...produces results
...respects the individual
...handles disagreements
...has personal energies focused on common good
...manages its reputation
...is clear about decision processes
...is able to declare a "breakdown" and address it
...has conversations about what doesn't work
...is responsible for its effect on the world in which it operates
...calls something a mistake only if we haven’t learned from it
...has fun together

Adapted from "The Salmon Sheet" - OSU

Principal Investigator

Jose Franco Da Cunha Leme Filho, Ph.D

Assistant Professor

Dr. Jose Leme graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Agronomic Engineering from Universidade Estadual de Londrina. For his master’s degree, he studied Precision Agriculture at Auburn University, followed by his Ph.D. at Virginia Tech with a focus on Plant Sciences. He started at SIU in Fall 2021, bringing his expertise in cannabis science and indoor cultivation systems. He has a joint appointment in the School of Forestry and Horticulture and the School of Biological Sciences. He is the principal investigator in the Cannabis Biology and Cultivation Systems lab, focusing on areas of controlled environment agriculture, plant secondary metabolites, nutraceutical/pharmaceutical biology, phenomics, plant physiology, biotic/abiotic stress, crop steering and growing practices. His team aims to determine how to leverage environmental controls (light intensity, duration, quality, temperature, and CO2), plant nutrition, biostimulants, and hormones to improve plant production. Moreover, the research group is developing techniques to optimize plant yield and quality based on key crop steering traits that increase sustainability and efficiency via plant physiological, biochemical, and agricultural approaches.

Graduate Students

Spencer Schuchman

Master's degree student - conferred graduation (Major professor)

"My name is Spencer Schuchman, I am 23 and currently working towards my masters degree in PSAS under Dr. Leme. My research is focused on hemp and the possible effects elicited by exogenous applications of plant growth regulators on trichome density and cannabinoid concentration. I received my bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, May 2021. I am from Waterloo Illinois and chose to continue my education at SIUC because it is close to home and I love the area. I think it is very exciting that SIU is expanding it’s hemp/cannabis program this year, I am very excited to see what my research brings to the world of cannabis knowledge. In my spare time I like to watch sports, play hockey, and hang out with friends and family. "

Shiksha Sharma

Master's degree student (Major professor)

"My name is Shiksha Sharma, and I have a bachelor's degree in horticulture from Tribhuvan University (Nepal). I began my master's degree in plant biology under the guidance of Dr. Leme. My future research will be focused on cannabis and its cultivation, including how the controlled environment system, as well as other technological devices and sensors, will improve the production of cannabinoids and other secondary metabolites. I am very excited about my upcoming project because it will be my first time working on such a unique and interesting topic. I can't wait to share the results of my experiment with the world of cannabis science, and I hope it will be beneficial for cannabis growers."

Dila Ozev

Master's degree student (Major professor)

“My name is Dila Ozev, and I am a Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering graduate from Sabanci University, Turkey. Currently, I am doing my M.Sc. in Organismic Biology, Evolutionary Biology, and Paleobiology at the University of Bonn, Germany. Recently, I have started to work on my master's thesis in Dr. Leme’s Lab as a visiting research scholar at the Department of Plant Biology / Horticulture, SIU. My project focuses on different fertilization regimes, including silicic acid, in indoor cultivation. We will evaluate hemp morphology and physiology using both feral (wild) and industrial varieties of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). The project results will also create complementary data for Bryan Foster’s Ph.D. dissertation, which focuses on weedy species competition and its effects on hemp morphology, physiology, and chemical profiles, using similar methodology, procedures, and hemp cultivars. Thanks to Dr. Leme’s guidance, my dream of being a cannabis scientist as a Turkish woman came true, and I believe exploring cannabis science will help me to contribute to nature and Mother Earth as much as I can.”

Brenda King

Master's degree student (Major professor)

"My name is Brenda King. I received my bachelor of science degree in horticulture from Southern Illinois University. SIU has shown inclusivity. I am a non-traditional student (a grandmother) in a wheelchair and included in all aspects of instruction. I began my master’s degree in Plant, Soil, and Agricultural Systems. My advisor and mentor is Dr. Jose Leme. My interest is in the environmental impact of cannabis. Cannabis (hemp) is a phytoremediator of toxic substances that may cause illness in humans. Hemp may help clean the environment and make mined lands arable for farming. My research will focus on hemp’s ability to remediate heavy metals. I’m excited to be able to determine the best management practices to grow hemp on mined lands, making the land usable for farming. I look forward to sharing my findings with those in the cannabis industry, farmers, and conservationists."

Gorman Saunders

Master's degree student (Major professor)

"My name is Gorman Saunders, a Cannabis enthusiast currently pursuing a master’s degree in plant biology from SIU-Carbondale with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from UT-Martin. My research for Dr. Leme’s lab explores mechanostimulation in Cannabis and how we might utilize those stressors to maximize growth and optimize our use of inputs. The indoor study utilizes vibration and high-stress training to illicit stress responses in the plant that will potentially improve the growth pattern and cannabinoid concentrations. The outdoor study is investigating the use of biostimulants that contain humic and phytic acids to manage stress responses in Cannabis to better help them respond to high-stress training as well as quantifying their impact on yield and cannabinoid concentration. Very grateful for the opportunity to help advance our knowledge and understanding of this most useful plant."

Lindsay Shupert

Ph.D. student (Major professor )

"I am Lindsay Shupert, a Ph.D. student in Dr. Jose Leme’s research lab at Southern Illinois University. I will study the impact of pruning intensity on flower yield and the production of secondary metabolites in Cannabis sativa. I hope that by quantifying the effects of a common management technique like pruning, growers can make the best decisions for their crops. I have experience in medical cannabis cultivation, and I instructed a horticulture & soil science course at a cannabis vocational school in Ohio. My master's research focused on invasive species ecology & management under Dr. David Gibson. I look forward to helping cannabis science grow at SIU!"

Thais Alberti

Ph.D. student (Major professor/co-advisor )

Research project in collaboration with Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina assessing the biostimulant effects of algae (Kappaphycus alvarezii) extract on cannabis growth parameters and secondary metabolite levels. It could be a good organically-certified alternative for growers. Also, reaching growing levels of 10% per day in the summer, Kappaphycus alvarezii production can be an effective carbon sequestration method. If successfully validated, the algae extract will be reintroduced into the plant production chain, continuing the CO2 sequestration by increasing plant biomass.

Fardad Didaran

Ph.D. student (Major professor)

Assessing the effects of different reflective materials, including mylar and a patented bioceramic, on cannabis development, cannabinoid levels, and electricity savings. b) Development of a hand-held device to collect indestructible data on plants, capturing the trichome’s light reflection and correlating it to cannabinoid levels.

Rodrigo De Sarandy Raposo

Master's degree student (Major professor)

My name is Rodrigo Raposo, and I am an Agronomical Engineer from the State University of São Paulo (UNESP), Brazil. Currently, I am pursuing my M.Sc. in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) at Southern Illinois University (SIU), Carbondale. Recently, I started working on my master's thesis in Dr. Jose Leme’s Lab, where I am researching the effects of a Sargassum-based biostimulant on cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivation under different fertilizer regimes. My research project aims to optimize growth, yield, and cannabinoid content, contributing to more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices in controlled environments.

I have worked before extensively with plant pathology, virology, and biostimulants, conducting research on soybean and corn, in greenhouse and field settings. My motivation lies in integrating novel technologies to improve sustainability, plant resilience, and productivity. Thanks to Dr. Leme’s guidance, I am advancing my objectives of contributing to CEA and cannabis science. I believe that understanding and enhancing biological plant-environment interactions will allow me to play a role in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.

Bryan Foster

Ph.D student (Committee member)

"My name is Bryan Foster and I am a second year doctoral student in the Plant Biology program. My research pertains to feral hemp (Cannabis sativa) varieties in the Midwest. My research is broken down into three parts: 1). A field study using GIS tools to identify the population demography of feral hemp within Illinois to determine what factors (biotic and abiotic) contribute to its success; 2). Weed emergence trials to determine whether or not hemp may be a good cover crop and what varieties (feral & industrial) would be a good fit for Southern Illinois climate; and 3). Competition experiments looking at the effects of interspecific competition on the THC, CBD and fiber production within feral and industrial varieties of hemp. Not a lot is known about this species of plant and factors pertaining to its cultivation, so I am hoping my research is not only useful for the scientific community but to potential growers as well. "

Shamim Ahmed

Master's degree student - conferred graduation (Committee member)

"I am Shamim Ahmed, an Agricultural Science graduate who came from a country located eight thousand miles away from the US—Bangladesh, and joined Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) in the Fall 2022. My academic journey, marked by being a Plant Biology master’s student at SIUC, combined with my rich research experiences in an incredibly diverse environment, has instilled in me a passion for research and a commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of Cannabis biology. Under the guidance of Dr. Leme, for my master's thesis, I am investigating the competitive response of Cannabis sativa L. to different agricultural weed species that includes both a field as well as a controlled greenhouse experiment. During the project, I aim to quantify differences in the competitive response of hemp cultivars with various weed species at a range of ratios by measuring plant growth, physiological response, and nitrogen assimilation. I am very excited about the possible outcome of my ongoing research and looking forward to contributing to the burgeoning cannabis science."

Chetan Singh

Master's degree student - (Committee member)

a) Assessment of the Oxidative Hydrolysis Dissolution (OHD) process developed as a method of carbon sequestration that dissolves any solid organic material into a water solution, generating organic molecules, including fulvic and humic acids that can be used as plant biostimulants. b) Evaluate the effects of OHC derived from manure on cannabis growth and secondary metabolites levels.

Willian Griff Hagen

Master's degree student - conferred graduation (Committee member)

Epigenetics effects of different doses of herbicides on cannabis.

Alexander Bechtel

Master's degree student (Committee member)

Adding Oxidative Hydrothermal Dissolution product enriches microbes in the substrate microbiome.

Kaitlin Creager

Ph.D. student (Committee member)

The influence of row spacing, density, and herbicide program on weed communities in hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.)

Vitor Vargas Schwan

Ph.D. student (Committee member)

RNA-seq analysis of genes that are involved in plant light competition interaction.

Krish Rauniyar

Master's student (Major professor)

Hi! My name is Krish Rauniyar, graduate student in Cannabis Biology and Cultivation Systems Lab, School of biological sciences at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Originally from Nepal, my background is in horticulture and sustainable crop production, with previous experience in agricultural research, extension, and university teaching in Nepal. I am currently investigating the effects of silica-derived biostimulants and nutrient management strategies on cannabis growth, yield, and cannabinoid production. I am also involved in Community Health and Cannabis Collaborative (CHeCC) within the Cannabis Research Institute (CRI) funded research project which examines community perspectives on cannabis access, affordability, cultivation practices, and educational needs across Southern Illinois.

I am honored to work alongside such a talented, enthusiastic, and supportive team of researchers who are passionate about advancing cannabis science. The collaborative environment, innovative research opportunities, and commitment to scientific excellence continually inspire me to grow as a researcher and contribute meaningful knowledge to the rapidly evolving cannabis industry. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and help address real-world challenges through research that bridges plant biology, cultivation practices, and industry needs.

Undergraduate students

Alyssa Zhan

Undergraduate student

Congratulations to our student, Alyssa Zhan, for winning the REACH Award. The funds will be used to test the oxidative hydrolysis dissolution (OHD) process developed as a method of carbon sequestration that dissolves any solid organic material into a water solution, generating simple organic molecules, including fulvic and humic acids that can be used as plant biostimulants. We will evaluate the effects of OHD on corn, cannabis, and potentially vegetable development and secondary metabolite production.

Christina Peterson

Undergraduate student

Investigate the independent and synergetic effects of mechanical vibration and ultrasonic priming on basil seeds' germination and development.

Fernanda Isabel García

Undergraduate student

"My name is Fernanda Isabel García, and I am a fourth-year student at the Panamerican Agricultural University, Zamorano, pursuing a degree in Agribusiness Engineering. As a Honduran, I have always been passionate about agriculture and the impact of innovative techniques on crop production. During my internship at the Controlled Environment Ag laboratory at Southern Illinois University (SIU), under the supervision of Dr. Leme, I had the opportunity to expand my knowledge in indoor plant production. It was a very enriching experience, as I gained valuable knowledge about the advanced technologies used in crop management, which allowed me to better understand how to improve the quality and sustainability of cannabis cultivation. I am very grateful for the opportunity I was given, as this experience was invaluable to my professional development and allowed me to contribute to the field of agricultural research."

Claudia Maria Leiva Giron

Undergraduate student

"My name is Claudia Leiva; I am from Honduras and am currently studying Agribusiness Administration at Zamorano University in Honduras. I am doing my internship at Southern Illinois University in Dr. Leme's laboratory, where I have had the opportunity to engage in advanced research on Controlled Environment Agriculture and Cannabis cultivation, an area that is still relatively unexplored. My role in the lab includes supporting research projects, performing fertilization, irrigation, and other essential processes needed to cultivate healthy plants. Additionally, I assist with cannabinoid analysis, including trichome counting. I use state-of-the-art technology for data collection and analysis and contribute to studies on Cannabis production performance under different conditions, such as water stress, pruning, and more.

This experience has allowed me to work both in the laboratory and the field, surrounded by brilliant and passionate individuals who have significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth. It has been an incredibly rewarding opportunity, filled with new knowledge and experiences in areas of agriculture that are not only underexplored but also rapidly expanding."

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