Cannabis Research Education Workforce Directors

Meet the Directors 

Martha Rosenthal, Director

Dr. Martha Rosenthal received her bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Virginia, her master's degree in neuropharmacology from Brown University, and her PhD in neuroscience from UCLA, and began her career teaching at the University of Florida's College of Pharmacy. She is the author of a number of textbooks, including Drugs: Mind, Body, and Society. Dr. Rosenthal has been a faculty member at Florida Gulf Coast University since they opened their doors in 1997. Over the past two decades, she has taught courses in drugs and society, neuroscience, human physiology, as well as co-teaching Florida's first undergraduate course about cannabis. Dr. Rosenthal has been honored to receive the Teacher of the Year award at both the University of Florida and FGCU, and is excited to direct her passion for teaching towards cannabis education. Dr. Rosenthal is educational director of the Cannabis Research, Education, and Workforce development initiative at FGCU, which will support high-quality research, produce and disseminate information-based educational programs, and provide workforce development for the cannabis industry.  

Sam Walch, Director of Workforce Development

Sam Walch has enjoyed a wide range of experiences during both his academic and professional careers. After earning a BA degree in Speech Communication from the University of Florida, he began a career as a stand-up comedian where he performed throughout the US, Canada, and the Caribbean. Upon retiring from the road, he earned a MA degree in Communication from Penn State and stayed on as the Statewide Coordinator of the Webmaster certificate program. After a decade of snow, the Walch family returned to Sam’s home state of Florida where he is now the Director for Workforce Development at CREW. In addition to developing internship opportunities and creating an employment conduit at FGCU, Sam is also faculty sponsor of FGCU’s Cannabis Career Club.