MEET THE TEAM
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Dr Simon Ruffell
FOUNDER & CEO
Simon is a medical doctor/psychiatrist, research psychologist with PhD in ayahuasca and mental health, and a student of curanderismo. He follows a collaborative approach that combines tradition with science, and is undergoing an apprenticeship under Don Rono.
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Dr WaiFung Tsang
COO
WaiFung is a clinical psychologist specialising in addiction, neurodevelopment, trauma, and the use of psychedelics in traditional settings, currently training in Shipibo curanderismo. He is also a skilled musician who enjoys honing sound-healing techniques.
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Don Rono Lopez
SHIPIBO CURANDERO LEAD
Don Rono was raised in a family of curanderos & comes from a long lineage of Shipibo plant doctors. In his practice, his sense of humour & gentle spirit allows those around him to feel comfortable in his presence, creating an optimal environment for healing & connecting.
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Dr Esme Dark
SOMATIC THERAPY LEAD
After working for many years as a senior clinical psychologist in refugee mental health in Australia, Thailand and the UK, Esme is now a core therapist in some of the biggest psychedelic trials in Australia.
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Jem Stone
INDIGENOUS ISSUES ADVISOR
Jem is a First Nations Woman with mixed heritage, a psychedelic-holistic practitioner and cultural educator passionately integrating original knowledge into education and wellness spaces. Amongst other projects she has co-founded IPAT (Indigenous Psychedelic Assisted Therapies).
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Prof Jo Neill
SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR
Jo is a Professor of Psychopharmacology at the University of Manchester, Chair of the Medical Psychedelics Working Group at Drug Science and a campaigner for drug policy reform and developing psychedelic medicines. -
Yasueri Oshe
SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE LEAD
After completing an extended apprenticeship in the Amazon rainforest with curandero Don Enrique Lopez, Yasueri now specializes in spiritual guidance & master plant dieta integration.
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Dr Jenni Hyysalo
INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE LEAD
Jenni is a medical doctor with a PhD working in integrative medicine combining mind and body. She specialises in psychedelics, breathwork and women’s holistic health.
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Eriko Yoshino
NUTRITION LEAD
Eriko provides recipes and nutritional advice for our courses. She loves using simple, natural ingredients dishes to create a clean and healthy ceremonial diet influenced by her native Japanese cuisine.
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James Bunn
LEGAL ADVISOR
James is a legal and regulatory consultant specialising in helping start ups working in psychedelic health. He is the Founder of Psilonautica and Head of Operations for the charity Drug Science.