Team

Atiyyah Ferouz

  • Atiyyah obtained her Bachelor of Science with an Honors Specialization in Biology from Western University. She completed her Master of Science in genetic engineering and plant biotechnology through a collaboration between Western University and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Atiyyah entered the cannabis industry as a Tissue Culture Lab Manager in 2018 and subsequently gained experience in cannabis cultivation, postharvest processing, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs. In 2020, she founded AgCann Consultancy, a consulting firm specializing in the development and optimization of operations, quality assurance, and tissue culture processes in emerging markets. She has worked with clients across five continents and is passionate about the globalization of the cannabis industry.

Christopher Leavitt

  • Christopher Leavitt is a tissue culture scientist and breeder who is passionate about plant science and operational excellence in commercial facilities. As the co-founder of Node Labs, a California-based tissue culture laboratory and nursery, he served as the CSO/COO for 6 years where he innovated their stable and repeatable tissue culture protocols, and built the company into a multinational brand. He also served as the COO for Compound Genetics, and directed product development for the seed/clone brand. He is now based in Portugal where he operates a new genetics brand called Voyager Genetics, which specializes in clones for commercial pharmaceutical cultivators, and consults through his company Bliss Forest.

Olivia Bachman

  • Olivia is a plant scientist with a passion for the cannabis industry. Olivia received her Bachelor of Science in Plant Science Horticulture and a minor in International Agriculture from Pennsylvania State University. She developed an interest in plant tissue culture and gained experience in large-scale outdoor cultivation through her work at the Russel E. Larson Agriculture Research Center. Olivia began working with a large multi-state operator, in 2021. Starting in cultivation, Olivia gained hands-on experience with large-scale indoor hydroponic cannabis production from propagation to postharvest. In 2023, Olivia oversaw the operation of the in-house tissue culture lab, successfully initiating over 100 cultivars for genetic storage and mother stock replenishment.