Belleville, Ontario, March 9, 2021 – Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre has received its first two Mitacs Accelerate funding awards totalling $30,000 to support an applied research project with apollogreen, a global cannabis starter plant supplier.
With more than 600 cannabis strains, apollogreen plans to increase quality consistency across its young plants, which it grows in bulk and sells to cannabis product producers. To enhance plant uniformity, the project aims to optimize cannabis cloning (asexual reproduction) and streamline micropropagation procedures, which rapidly multiply stock plant material. If successful, apollogreen could establish an early prediction system that improves the selection and production of starter cannabis plants with the most desirable components for production and consumption for medical and recreational markets.
The project includes two six-month student internships. Kandace Parks, a post-graduate Cannabis Applied Science student at Loyalist College, is the successful candidate for the resulting 12-month research assistant position with apollogreen.
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“We are grateful for Mitacs’ support of this innovative project, which empowers us to work with apollogreen to envision new solutions for harvesting genetically-identical cannabis plants. The findings will inform the future of cannabis plant cloning to advance safety, efficiency and time to market. For our students, these types of real world projects offer exceptional opportunities to expand their understanding of advanced tissue culture research, testing and analysis. Through applied research in various disciplines, Loyalist College is driving economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the Bay of Quinte region. We encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to get in touch with us to collaborate in bringing their ideas to market.” – Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO
“We are putting scientific research at the forefront of our product development strategy. This research program will provide valuable data and insights that will become the foundation for future studies with Loyalist College and will contribute directly to the development of more consistent cannabis products for consumers. We want to acknowledge the Mitacs Accelerate program for supporting our research and providing grant funding.” – Tyler LeBlanc, apollogreen Co-Founder and Director
“This is a very innovative and research-intensive project. We don’t know exactly what is going to happen. We have an idea, but it is nerve-racking until proven. Everything about this experience is exciting and I am very thankful to Mitacs, apollogreen and Loyalist College for the opportunity to make industry connections while strengthening my research skills.” – Kandace Parks, post-graduate Cannabis Applied Science student at Loyalist College
To learn more about Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis, visit loyalistappliedresearch.com.
About apollogreen
At apollogreen, we’re cloning mother plants with superior genetic strains, growing them with the strictest quality assurance and trusted environmental conditions. This ensures premium plants for our partners that decrease your risk and increase profit. Our dedicated team, located 20 minutes east of downtown Ottawa, sources and grows the best genetics, continually searching for strains with high robust yields, strong cannabinoid and unique terpenes that show resistance to disease and bacteria.
About Mitacs
Mitacs is a not-for-profit organization that fosters growth and innovation in Canada by solving business challenges with research solutions from academic institutions. Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec along with the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.
About Loyalist College
Ranked as one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges and #1 in the country for industry research income as a percentage of total research income, Loyalist College empowers students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. As Ontario’s Destination College, the College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Of 2017-18 Loyalist graduates, 88.5 percent were employed within six months after graduation. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist College offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist College is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 3.7 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $382 million annually to the regional economy – based on a March 2020 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist College’s Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit YoureGoingPlaces.com.
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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913, ext. 2536
