Deron Caplan, PhD is a horticultural scientist and Senior Consultant at Sostanza who supports cannabis producers worldwide. His work focuses on facility design, operational optimization, and solving day-to-day cultivation challenges using practical, research-driven strategies that strengthen yield, consistency, and product quality.

At Sostanza, Deron’s focus is on maximizing client ROI by applying advancements in horticultural and post-harvest science to real-world production. He has supported the design and operation of GACP- and EU-GMP-aligned facilities across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, ensuring that efficient production practices meet regulatory requirements while driving cost-per-gram down. His work includes operational troubleshooting to correct inefficiencies quickly, targeted training for cultivation and post-harvest teams, and translating scientific data into clear, practical steps that teams can implement immediately.

Deron is a published author and educator whose research has been cited more than 400 times and has helped shape the scientific foundation of modern cannabis horticulture. He continues to share insights through articles, podcasts, and cultivation trials, focusing on how variables such as light intensity, nutrient formulation, propagation methods, and post-harvest practices influence flower development and product quality.

Before joining Sostanza, Deron completed the first PhD in North America dedicated to cannabis cultivation at the University of Guelph, where his work helped define baseline cultivation science in the industry. He later led operations at the Kelowna Research Station—the first research facility in the world focused exclusively on cannabis horticulture—and served as Director of Research & Development at The Flowr Corporation, overseeing large-scale cultivation trials in partnership with The Hawthorne Gardening Company (Scotts Miracle-Gro).

Deron brings together science, practical experience, and a genuine appreciation for the culture of cannabis. Known for his clear communication and hands-on approach, he works to align teams around evidence-based practices and a shared commitment to producing high-quality, distinctive cannabis at scale.