Translational Psychedelic Research Program

The Translational Psychedelic Research (TrPR) Program brings together scientists and care providers across disciplines to understand how psilocybin, LSD, ketamine, MDMA, and related compounds impact the brain and other organ systems.

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Translational Psychedelic Research Program

The Translational Psychedelic Research (TrPR) Program brings together scientists and care providers across disciplines to investigate psychedelic drugs as potentially transformative treatments for the most serious unmet medical needs. We are dedicated to understanding how psychedelics work in order to best optimize and personalize these treatments to be maximally safe, effective, and accessible for patients.

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in collaboration with:

in partnership with:

Studies

The efficacy of psilocybin therapy for depression in Parkinson's disease
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Recruiting Now
Randomized Clinical Trial of Psilocybin for Chronic Low Back Pain
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Recruiting Now
Effects of Psilocybin Therapy on Sleep and Thermoregulation
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A Mixed-Methods Study of Psilocybin Use Among Adults with Bipolar Affective Disorder
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Safety and Efficacy of Psilocybin Treatment for Depression in Bipolar 2 Disorder
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Recruitment Closed
Comparing the Effects of Psilocin and Psilocybin in Healthy Adults
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Recruitment Closed
Psilocybin Therapy for Depression and Anxiety in Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study
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Recruitment Closed
Randomized Clinical Trial of Psilocybin for Depression (Usona Institute)
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Recruitment Closed

Our Team

We’re a network of researchers with expertise spanning neuroscience, multiple medical specialties, nursing, and psychology.

Faculty

Joshua Woolley, MD, PhD
Director
Ellen Bradley, MD
Associate Director
Aoife O’Donovan, PhD
Amanda Downey, MD
Medical Team Lead
Katiah Llerena, PhD
Director of Assessments
Connie Ludwig, PhD
Assessment Consultant
Holly Hamilton, PhD
Andrew Penn, RN, MS, NP
Ray Rosen, PhD
Marissa Raymond-Flesch, MD, MPH

Facilitators

Gisele Fernandes, MFT
Director of Facilitation
Aliss Ching Chieh Wang
Ayala Kalisher
Andrew Penn, RN, MS, NP
Linnae Ponte, LMFT
Kari Bar
Luara Venturi
Taylor Simon
Ashley Kellem

Medical Team

Amanda Downey, MD
Medical Team Lead
Cindy Lau, NP

Core Collaborators

David Gard, PhD
Boris Heifets, MD, PhD
Erin Michalak, PhD
Ashley Mason, PhD
Andrew Krystal, MD
Jill Ostrem, MD
Andrea Gomez, PhD

Postdocs

Steve Pratscher, PhD
Leehe Peled-Avron, PhD
Emma Morton, PhD
Balazs Szigeti, PhD
Parker Kelley, PhD

Graduate Students

Sanya Virani
Mona Midani
Maya McGibbon
Amy Ma

Staff & Research Assistants

Kim Sakai
Program Manager
Lisa Fredenburg, MS
Study Manager
Zachary Busby
Sr. Coordinator
Brigette Sosa
Sr. Coordinator
Jerusalem Nerayo
Coordinator
Cesar Molina
Coordinator
Sophie Bax
Coordinator
Brittany Nielsen
Coordinator
Lilly Evans-Riera
Coordinator
Sydney Rood
Coordinator
Jailene Calfayan
Admin. Assistant

Work with us

Developing psychedelic treatments is an interdisciplinary challenge. We welcome a wide range of people with expertise in science and health care, knowing that different perspectives create a stronger and more creative team. We aim to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in line with this statement.

Thinking about participating in a study or want to learn more?

Contact us at psilocybinstudies@ucsf.edu

Interested in working with us as a volunteer research assistant / intern?

Please complete our TrPR Volunteer Application

Seeking paid work at TrPR?

See our current job listings for research staff

Post-doc applicants - please forward your resume/CV and cover letter to psilocybinstudies@ucsf.edu