Dr. Daniela Vergara

About Dr. Daniela Vergara

Dr. Daniela Vergara is an evolutionary biologist and cannabis genomics pioneer. Originally from Cali, Colombia, she co-founded the Cannabis Genomic Research Initiative at CU Boulder. Her landmark 2017 study in Scientific Reports proved that NIDA-produced research cannabis bore little resemblance to what consumers actually used.

Now at Cornell University as an Emerging Crops Specialist, she works with New York hemp farmers and led the creation of the NY State Cannabis sativa Production Manual. With ~1,650 citations, her research spans cannabis genomics, THC potency inflation, and debunking the indica vs. sativa myth.

Notable Credentials

• Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, Indiana University Bloomington
• Founder, Agricultural Genomics Foundation (501(c)(3))
• Cannabis Scientist Power List 2022
• Lead author, landmark 2017 Scientific Reports study (covered by The Atlantic, Science, FiveThirtyEight)
• ~1,650 Google Scholar citations
• Co-founder, Cannabis Genomic Research Initiative at CU Boulder

Speaking History

Has appeared at: