Dr. Sang Park, Lead Plant Molecular Scientist/Research Liaison
Dr. Sang Park is a highly accomplished plant molecular biologist who has led cannabis and cannabinoid research projects at the Institute of Cannabis Research (ICR) since 2017. His primary objective is to investigate the impact of environmental factors on cannabis growth and cannabinoid production, with the aim of developing an ideal cultivation system that maximizes cannabinoid quality and quantity. In collaboration with Chuncheon Bioindustry Foundation in South Korea, Dr. Park’s team has identified significant effects of relative humidity (RH) on plant development, particularly high RH elongating stem growth and delaying flowering of cannabis, which also affects cannabinoid profiles.
In addition to his cannabis research, Dr. Park is investigating the therapeutic functions of cannabinoids using a non-traditional model system. He has used the tobacco hornworm as an alternative model system to test phytocannabinoids, discovering that cannabidiol has a dual function as an insecticidal agent and can rescue insects from alcohol intoxication. Dr. Park believes that this model system could provide an alternative tool for high-throughput investigation of cannabinoids.
Dr. Park is committed to sharing his knowledge through teaching, research publications, attending conferences and seminars, and mentoring students in CSUP research programs. He is also a research liaison at ICR, building collaborations with countries such as South Korea, Spain, Israel, and Canada. Currently, he chairs the hemp cultivation webinar series sponsored by ICR and the Volcani Institute in Israel. Dr. Park welcomes any research collaboration to advance cannabis sciences for future generations. Interested parties may contact him at Sanghyuck.park@csupueblo.edu for further inquiries.
Byeong-Ryeol Ryu, Ph.D., Post-Doctoral Researcher
Dr. Byeong-Ryeol Ryu is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Institute of Cannabis Research (ICR) at Colorado State University Pueblo. He holds a strong academic foundation from Kangwon National University, with research expertise spanning hemp breeding, advanced genetics, and high-throughput genomics. His work focuses on decoding the complex genetic architecture of Cannabis sativa to develop practical, data-driven tools for crop improvement that serve both the scientific community and the hemp industry.
A centerpiece of his recent work is the publication, “Chromosome-level Haploid Assembly of Cannabis sativa L. cv. Pink Pepper.” Having contributed to the breeding of Pink Pepper, a Type III Cannabis cultivar, this study demonstrates his command of complex genomic assembly and contributes a critical reference resource for researchers worldwide. Leveraging advanced bioinformatics pipelines, Dr. Ryu translates raw genomic data into actionable insights for the development of next-generation hemp varieties.
His expertise extends beyond genetics to a “whole Cannabis” perspective, investigating how environmental factors shape the plant’s chemical profiles. With proficiency in HPLC analysis and rapid simultaneous quantification methods, Dr. Ryu bridges the gap between plant genetics and cannabinoid biosynthesis, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the plant’s metabolic pathways.
As sessile organisms, cannabis plants cannot relocate in response to adverse conditions, making their evolved stress-response mechanisms all the more remarkable. Dr. Ryu’s research is dedicated to uncovering these abiotic stress responses and the underlying molecular mechanisms in Cannabis. By decoding how the plant manages stressors such as temperature fluctuations and drought, he aims to identify key stress mitigation pathways and develop resilient hemp varieties capable of maintaining high yield and consistent cannabinoid profiles even under unpredictable climatic conditions.
Research topic
Hemp genomics, Cannabinoid biosynthesis, Abiotic stress response, Chemotype-environment interaction, Marker-assisted breeding
” I am very happy to carry out research in the field of cannabis at the ICR- CSU -Pueblo, Colorado, under the guidance of Dr. Park. I have...
“I am proud to be actively engaged in the effort to bring cannabis into the light of modern science, and out of the darkness of prohibition.”-Andrew A....
“After years of personal and professional experience with cannabis I was left with a desire for more knowledge of this amazing plant, both medicinally and as a...
“My name is Jalen V. Gordon, I am pursuing a bachelors in cannabis science. I am currently working on a CBD study in relation to shelf life...
“Having been given the opportunity to join in on cutting edge research regarding Cannabis and cannabinoids at CSUP has been a dream come true. Working with Dr....
Discovery Scholar Program at CSUP and the winner of Demo Day contest at Colorado State University – Fort Collins in the category for the Most Innovative Product...
