Issam Benmoussa, PhD
About Issam Benmoussa, PhD
Issam Benmoussa, PhD, serves as the Vice President of Cannara Biotech Inc., where he has worked since 2022. He has a strong background in plant sciences, having held various research positions and contributed to advancements in cultivation practices and production strategies in the cannabis industry.
Work at Cannara Biotech
Issam Benmoussa currently holds the position of Vice President at Cannara Biotech Inc., a role he has occupied since 2022. Prior to this, he served as Senior Director of Production and Experimentation at the same company from 2020 to 2022. In these positions, he has focused on improving cultivation practices and streamlining workflows during cultivation and post-harvest operations. His work emphasizes data-driven growing strategies and the establishment of trained teams to standardize production operations.
Education and Expertise
Issam Benmoussa has an extensive educational background in plant sciences and agronomy. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Plant Sciences from Università degli Studi della Tuscia from 2014 to 2017. He also studied Plant Pathology/Phytopathology at the University of California, Riverside, where he completed a PhD in 2016-2017. Additionally, he holds a Master of Science in Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management from CIHEAM-Bari, achieved between 2012 and 2014, and an Engineer's degree in Agronomy and Crop Science from Université de Carthage from 2007 to 2012. His expertise includes statistics, statistical software, and programming.
Background
Issam Benmoussa has a diverse background in research and development within the agricultural and plant production sectors. He worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Université de Sherbrooke from 2017 to 2018, where he focused on genetic manipulation of plant pathogens. He also conducted research at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in 2018, investigating the epidemiology of grapevine viruses. His international research experience includes identifying insect vectors of plant pathogens in Italy and exploring plant-insect-pathogen interactions in Belgium.
Research Contributions
Issam Benmoussa has contributed to various research projects across multiple institutions. His work includes investigating the effect of endoglucanases on bacterial transmission by insects at the University of California, Riverside, and conducting research on the epidemiology of plant pathogenic bacteria at Università degli Studi della Tuscia. He has received training in insect dissection and Scanning Electron Microscopy at USDA-ARS in California, enhancing his research capabilities in the field of plant pathology.
Achievements in the Cannabis Industry
Issam Benmoussa has demonstrated a strong commitment to the cannabis industry through his leadership roles at Cannara Biotech. He has been instrumental in establishing data-driven growing strategies and improving cultivation practices using experimental approaches. His focus on ensuring consistency and sustainable development has led to advancements in production operations, reflecting his passion for the sector and his expertise in plant sciences.