As we wrap up the year, let’s take a moment to reflect on the achievements of past members of the Ellison Lab who have moved on to bright futures in plant science in 2025 ! Thank you all so much for your contributions to the lab over the years!
Dr. Ademola Aina (Postdoctoral Research Associate) 
“Joining the Ellison Lab in June 2022, I spent a little over 3 years in the Ellison Lab. The primary focus of my research was the “Collection, Pre-Characterization, and Preservation of American Hemp Germplasm.” This work helped to build the recently created USDA-ARS Hemp Germplasm Repository at Cornell Agritech after century long prohibitions and restrictions. The diverse over ~1800 accessions from across 12 U.S. states would help speed up breeding programs across the U.S., North America and the globe by serving as important genetic reservoirs of useful alleles and superior traits for the improvement of Cannabis plants for medicine, fiber/grain and cannabinoids. Currently a Research Scientist at the University of Wyoming, Sheridan Research and Extension and Center, where I’ll be starting/leading Mung bean breeding for grain and forage uses, and same time supporting the center’s ongoing research on several other field and forage crops, sugar beets, popping bean, field pea chickpea, cowpea and sagebrush and alfalfa to name a few. Moving forward, you can contact me at aaina@uwyo.edu.”
Sean Kim (Graduate Research Associate) 
“With over 4 years in the Ellison Lab, I helped advanced the understanding of how temperature influences anthocyanin accumulation in Cannabis sativa and aided in identifying key genes involved in this process. I’m currently engaged in breeding projects to develop unique, high-quality cannabis germplasm adapted for Wisconsin. My intention is to create populations that provide a pleasant sensory experience and assist individuals in their path to wellness. I also work part-time at Olbrich Botanical Gardens as a glasshouse gardener. Moving forward, you can contact me at 10seankim10@gmail.com or 608-698-4105.”
Article Title: Anthocyanin accumulation, inflorescence dry weight and total cannabidiol content have different temperature optima in Cannabis sativa
Carter Prillaman (Graduate Research Associate)
“I was in the lab for two years, and during that time I worked on uncovering the genetic basis of anthocyanin accumulation in cannabis, culminating in a master’s thesis titled “A Study In Purple: An Investigation into the Genetics of Anthocyanin Accumulation in Cannabis sativa“. Work from this thesis is currently being continued by an incoming post-doc (Dr. Luis Salazar) to the Ellison lab, and will be completed and prepared for publication hopefully later this year. This project turned out to be really interesting and engaging, and it was found that anthocyanin accumulation in cannabis is often controlled by variety specific alleles of key regulatory genes, a somewhat remarkable level of genetic variability for this trait. Work from this project will help to inform breeders and growers alike to develop and produce environmentally resilient and aesthetically pleasing varieties which will drive consumer interest. Currently I am still job searching out in the San Francisco Bay Area of CA, and will likely be applying for PhD programs in the next couple of years as well. I can be contacted via email at carterrprillaman@gmail.com ”