As the new Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC) greenhouse prepares to open its doors later this fall, Scott Golem is excited to be at the helm of launching innovative processes and leveraging new capabilities in this state-of-the-art facility.

Scott has been with Niagara College (NC) for the past two years, starting as a part-time faculty in the Commercial Cannabis Production program. His transition to working with HESIC was a unique opportunity – after publishing a paper on cannabis nutrient deficiencies, an industry partner contacted him via LinkedIn, wanting to discuss how their app related to his research. During their conversation, Scott learned that the partner was involved in a research project with HESIC, which piqued his interest in the division.

Impressed by what he saw, Scott kept an eye on job openings, and when a Research Lead position became available, he seized the opportunity. “I thought it would be a fantastic fit, especially with their focus on the cannabis industry. I wanted to be a part of the team, share my ideas, and help drive innovation,” said Scott.

In his role as Research Lead, Scott has been instrumental in advancing and adopting new technologies in greenhouse operations. His leadership extends to projects with the Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN), a consortium of research-based institutions led by Niagara College, as well as specialized cannabis and hemp projects funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, showcasing his broad expertise across various cultivation methods. 

With the construction of the new HESIC research greenhouse and plant growth facility, Scott’s extensive research background and experience as a Master Grower made him an ideal candidate for the newly created role of Research Facilities Manager. In this position, Scott will oversee the operation and management of the current CannaResearchBunker as well as the new HESIC greenhouse and plant growth facility. This cutting-edge facility includes five growing bays, two laboratories, and a vertical grow room, providing a comprehensive environment for innovative research in greenhouse cultivation and beyond.

Scott holds a BSc in Forensic Science from Trent University, an MSc in Biotechnology from Brock University, and a Post-graduate Certificate in Commercial Cannabis Production from Niagara College. He also continues to share his expertise as a part-time faculty member at Niagara College, teaching in the Commercial Cannabis Production program. 

“I was really excited to learn about the new greenhouse and its unique capabilities. Typically, research greenhouses are built for a single purpose, but the new HESIC facility is designed to accommodate a wide range of research needs, which will greatly benefit the industry,” said Scott.

Some of the greenhouse’s unique features include five advanced research bays, each equipped with cutting-edge technology to replicate real-world commercial greenhouse environments. These bays are meticulously designed to meet the specific needs of various crops, featuring individually controlled systems for irrigation, temperature, humidity, CO2, and spectrum-adjustable lighting to ensure optimal growing conditions. This precision control allows for in-depth studies on how different environmental variables impact plant health and yield.

“This new purpose-built facility its going to have a very positive impact on the greenhouse growing community. Being able to replicate a commercial environment as closely as possible makes the research highly applicable to the industry partners and that is going to be the unique advantage that sets us apart,” Scott added.

The research bays include:

1. Expanded Metal Mesh Benches: These benches provide a sturdy, elevated platform with excellent air circulation and drainage, making them ideal for crops like lettuce, microgreens, and herbs, as well as floriculture crops such as orchids and chrysanthemums. The enhanced airflow and drainage help prevent waterlogging and reduce the risk of root diseases, ensuring healthy, robust plant growth.
2. Ebb and Flood Tables: Utilizing a flood-and-drain method, these tables periodically immerse plants in a nutrient solution before draining it away, promoting efficient nutrient uptake and oxygenation. This system is particularly effective for crops like basil, kale, and cherry tomatoes, as well as various floriculture crops.
3. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Systems: NFT systems involve a continuous flow of nutrient-rich water over plant roots housed in channels, making them highly effective for crops such as lettuce, basil, and strawberries. The system maximizes growth and productivity by providing a constant nutrient supply and maintaining high oxygen levels at the roots.
4. Highwire Bay: Designed for vining crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, this bay supports vertical growth along wires or trellises, optimizing space utilization and improving light exposure and air circulation. This method not only enhances yield per square foot but also facilitates easier pest management.

In addition to the greenhouse bays, the facility includes an indoor vertical grow room dedicated to exploring vertical farming innovations. Vertical farming systems are known for their resource efficiency, maximizing space, and maintaining controlled environments for light, temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels. This setup enables year-round cultivation of crops such as leafy greens and strawberries, with benefits including higher water and nutrient use efficiency, reduced pesticide use, and minimized environmental impact. Vertical farms, often located in urban areas, also reduce transportation costs and carbon footprints by bringing production closer to consumers.

Outside of managing this new facility, Scott is enthusiastic about continuing his involvement in research projects. “I really enjoy being hands-on with projects and working with our students. Everyone learns and improves when we work together and have those engaging ‘a-ha’ moments,” he says. Students who work with Scott gain invaluable experiential learning, preparing them for the workforce with real-world project experience which makes them job-ready when they graduate.

Scott is currently working on a unique project with 4Plant, involving the first gene-edited cannabis in the world. This project focuses on stabilizing engineered cannabis genes to study the impact of upregulated cannabigerol (CBG) production when delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) pathways are inhibited. By selectively crossbreeding cannabis plants with specific genetic traits and using controlled breeding chambers, the research aims to produce plants with a more efficient engineered cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) synthase gene and the THC synthase gene knockout. This groundbreaking work could lead to the development of cannabis cultivars with enhanced therapeutic profiles and serve as a model for genetic engineering in hemp and cannabis.

“My opportunities are endless right now,” Scott said when thinking about the new greenhouse. “I can do almost anything and it’s incredibly exciting to be in a position where I can explore, innovate, and advance in ways that everybody wishes they could but don’t have the space or capabilities to try new things,” he added.

Looking to the future, Scott hopes to continue building collaboration between research and academics, bring in more course-based projects, and help elevate research at the College to an even higher level.