Minot State University
10/08/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/08/2024 15:41
MSU students excel at Cannabis Research Conference
By Michael Linnell
University Communications Director
MINOT, N.D. - Minot State University chemistry students Sebastian Ayala, along with the team of Hanna Mackeprang and Jasmine Joy Molina, earned high honors at the 8th annual Cannabis Research Conference in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Ayala was the top student poster at the entire conference, beating out 30 other posters from around the nation, including work done by graduate students. Mackeprang and Molina finished third overall.
"It felt like quite the accomplishment," Ayala said of his experience winning the poster session. "I honestly did not know that the presentations were part of a competition and just genuinely enjoyed talking about my research to anyone who stepped up. This was my first time at any research conference and my first time doing a poster presentation on my research. The experience was great since the conference was held in my hometown of Fort Collins, and I felt at home again.
"The conference itself was very eye opening into the number of different types of research people from around the U.S. are doing for the cannabis industry. My favorite conversations of the week were had in that hour with people who are in the field and want to do more research into what I was looking at. I did not expect to get an award or recognition, but it was a very pleasant surprise."
The students are a part of Minot State's groundbreaking medicinal plant chemistry program, conducting research in MSU Assistant Professor of Chemistry Genevieve Kahrilas's program centering around the chemical analysis of THC-derivative vaporizer cartridges.
"My background is in chemical analysis, and before becoming a professor, I worked in industry testing pharmaceuticals. Analyzing cannabinoid products has long been on my radar and something I had some experience with, so I was excited to start researching these products when I took over the medicinal plant chemistry program," Kahrilas said. "Now that cannabis is being rescheduled from I to III, the demand for quality chemical analysis and research is going to absolutely explode, and I'm super excited to be at the forefront of it all."
While the industry is moving rapidly, so is the Minot State program. Just in its sixth academic year, medicinal plant chemistry continues to evolve at nearly the same rate.
"It's absolutely exhilarating," Kahrilas said. "As a researcher and a scientist, it is incredibly rare to even have the chance to be on the cutting edge of anything. This presents a fantastic opportunity for someone like me to get a foothold in the research as it is beginning and a chance for Minot State to make a name for itself in a rapidly developing and in-demand field."
"It has been a really great experience overall. I have learned so many different areas of chemistry that all apply to both my degree and my research, and I'm grateful that the school offers research opportunities," added Mackeprang. "The most interesting part so far has been getting to work with an HPLC. It was a rough start getting the HPLC to run to the standards we needed for our research, but that was the best part.
"We encountered more problems than we will probably ever experience when working in the field. We have learned how to fix and change parts on the HPLC, identify and fix errors, and perform general maintenance when working with such an instrument."
Because of the small class sizes and hands-on nature of Kahrilas's labs, the trio has collaborated during their time at MSU.
"Jasmine and I have focused on verifying label claims and the importance of degradation studies, whereas Sebastian's main focus is identifying unknown compounds in these types of products," Mackeprang explained. "I personally prefer to work collaboratively, especially since we all work really well together. I also find what Sebastian is doing very interesting, and working collaboratively allows me to experience that."
While this was the first time the group had presented at this conference, Kahrilas was very familiar with the Cannabis Research Conference as it was at her alma mater, Colorado State.
"I've personally been to a large number of conferences (20-30) and have presented talks at many of them - 10-20 at this point," she said. "This was the best experience I've ever had at any conference. The combination of our success plus being back at CSU and Ft. Collins for the first time since I got my Ph.D. 10 years ago made this a magical experience."
Mackeprang agreed with the success of the event.
"I had an amazing time at the conference," she said. "This was my first time both attending a conference and presenting at one. It was intimidating at first, but I realized while presenting that all attendees were there in the interest of science and not to criticize our work. Meeting with people who have been doing research on cannabis was one of my favorite parts of the conference."
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
Published: 10/08/24