Julia Bramante
Chair

chair@cann-acs.org

Julia Bramante received her BSc in chemistry with minors in mathematics, biology, and Chinese from the University of Denver. After working in immunology and organic synthesis research, Julia began her career in the cannabis industry in 2014 at Gobi Labs, one of the first cannabis testing facilities to open in Colorado. She then transitioned to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Cannabis Reference Laboratory where she currently serves as Lead Scientist. Additionally, Julia is the Chair of the Cannabis Chemistry Subdivision of the Division of Chemical Health and Safety of the American Chemical Society, a position she has held since January of 2019.  She also serves as Chair of the AOAC CASP Microbial Contaminants Working Group, Chair of the AOAC CASP Microbial Contaminants Expert Review Panel, serves on the AOAC CASP Cannabinoids and Chemical Contaminants Expert Review Panels, and is an active member of the Colorado Marijauna Science and Policy Working Group.

Kyle Boyar
Chair Elect

chairelect@cann-acs.org

Kyle Boyar is a cannabis scientist with a background in neuroscience, microbiology, and analytical chemistry that has been working in the industry for eight years. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of California Santa Cruz in 2012 and has worked extensively in cannabis testing having previously been employed as a Field Application Scientist with Medicinal Genomics and as a Laboratory Manager with SC Laboratories. Kyle is currently employed as Director of Product Science for Tagleaf and also serves as Vice Chair for the American Chemical Society’s Cannabis Chemistry Subdivision as well as the Chairman for the ElSohly Award. His research interests focus on the pharmacology of cannabis, cannabis testing methodologies as well as product development and formulation.

Melissa Wilcox
Secretary

secretary@cann-acs.org

Melissa Wilcox received her BSc in biology and environmental science from Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI).  In her 25-year career in the field of analytical chemistry, she has served in R&D, marketing, sales, and tech service roles. She is currently the Global Sales and Market Development Manager for Regis Technologies, a chromatography supplier to a broad range of industries. She has more than 20 years’ experience in chromatographic analysis and purification and is a named inventor on a patent for Evaporative Light Scattering Detection technology.  She serves on many scientific organizations’ cannabis committees including ASTM, AOAC, ACS (Cannabis Chemistry Subdivision), and AHPA, and has served as a consultant to the cannabis industry. In her spare time, she coaches her daughter’s soccer team and volunteers with Girl Scouts.  

Mary Beth Koza
Treasurer

Mary Beth Koza is the retired Executive Director of the Department of Environment, Health & Safety for The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as of 11/2019.  She led an organization which has the responsibility for developing innovative EHS programs via an integrated management system. She and her team translated complex EHS regulatory requirements and builds and maintains strong credible relationships with colleagues and outside agencies.  She was the Responsible Official, with oversight for 5 high containment laboratories. In 2017, the University the Risk Management function and became part of her organization.

She has 40 years’ experience in the environment, health, and safety field, and was previously the Director of EHS at Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts/Chemistry from Kean University and an MBA in Pharmaceutical Science from Farleigh Dickinson University.

Mary Beth Koza has been a member of D-CHAS since 1986 and has served as the division’s treasurer for the last two years. She is a CHAS Fellow, member of the ACS Committee on Science  and the Chair Elect of the NC Local Section of the ACS.

Note: While CANN is a subdivision of CHAS, CHAS’s treasurer serves as CANN’s treasurer. In the event that CANN becomes a Division within the 2021 officer term, the 2021 elected treasurer will become CANN’s treasurer.