Damon Michaels - Director, COO & Co-Founder
Damon Michaels is the Chief Operations Officer of Mydecine Innovations Group. Prior to joining MIG, Mr. Michaels was consulting for various hemp businesses through his company, Emerald Baron. Before that, he served as GM for the leading multi-platform cannabinoid research and technology firm based in Colorado called ebbu. In November of 2018, ebbu was acquired for CAD $429m by Canopy Growth for being the cutting edge leader in cannabinoid science. Over the last decade, Mr. Michaels has been in leading roles with multiple large brands throughout the cannabis vertical in Colorado and California. Outside of the cannabis industry, he developed a national snowboard brand with his team, was one of four entrepreneurs who created Colorado’s first-ever glass recycling company, and was on the business development team for a Google Ventures Company.
Rachel Yehuda, Ph.D.
A Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Dr. Yehuda is the Director of the Traumatic Stress Studies Division at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, which includes the PTSD clinical research program and the Neurochemistry and Neuroendocrinology laboratory at the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She received her PhD in Psychology and Neurochemistry and her MS in Biological Psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and completed her postdoctoral training in Biological Psychiatry in the Psychiatry Department at Yale Medical School.
Carl Castro
Carl Castro is the research director for the USC Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families. Castro has served in a variety of research and leadership positions, including commander of the U.S.Army Medical Research Unit-Europe in Heidelberg, Germany; chief of the Department of Military Psychiatry at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, D.C.; and director of the Military Operational Medicine Research Program, Headquarters, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Fort Detrick, Md. Castro has authored more than 150 scientific articles and reports in numerous research areas and currently serves as chair of a NATO research group on military mental health training. He serves as an advisor for several Department of Defense research panels focused on psychological health.
Joshua Bartch - Director, CEO and Co-Founder David Joshua Bartch is Director, President & CEO of Mydecine Innovations Group. Mr. Bartch's entrepreneurial career took off in 2009 when he co-founded AudioTranscriptionist.com and founded the Denver based dispensary, Doctors Orders. Following these ventures, Mr. Bartch founded a boutique investment firm that operated throughout the U.S. and Canadian markets. In 2014, Bartch co-founded Cannabase.io, the USA's most significant legal and sophisticated cannabis wholesale platform. In 2015, Cannabase.io was acquired by Helix TCS.
Nikolai Vassev - Founder of MindLeap Health
Strong track record with high-growth tech companies, forming multi-million-dollar partnerships, leading complex data analytics and cyber security software projects for various Fortune 500 organizations, as well as for the US and Canadian Governments.
Damon Michaels - COO, has been heavily involved in the cannabis industry for over the past decade. Being a strong key management member of multiple large ventures within the cannabis space, Damon has been able to gain tremendous experience within the cannabis vertical from seed-to-sale and has built a massive network of resources. Damon’s last endeavor was with a company called ebbu which was the first dedicated company to the drug discovery of cannabinoids, which ultimately was acquired by Canopy Growth for CAD$429mm. Damon has also been involved in the action sports industry and also was one of four entrepreneurs to start Colorado's first ever glass recycling facility to focus on sustainable recycling.
Colonel (Ret’d) Richard Pucci, OMM, CD, BSc, MDS, - CEO, NeuroPharm
Pucci served in many command and strategic level staff positions on behalf of the Canadian Forces in Canada, the United Kingdom, United States, and operational tours. He retired at the rank of Colonel while serving as the Deputy Commander of the Canadian Forces Health Services. As Deputy Commander, Col. Pucci oversaw a team of approximately 6,400 active members and 500 contractors; responsible for overwatch via the chain of command of 43 units and 82 detachments, incl. clinics, mobile medical units, field hospital, schools, research establishment, and medical equipment depot. Served as Chief of Staff of the Health Services Group, with the overall responsibility for a financial and business planning cycle of $462 million, and infrastructure budget of $600 million.
Damon Michaels - COO, has been heavily involved in the cannabis industry for over the past decade. Being a strong key management member of multiple large ventures within the cannabis space, Damon has been able to gain tremendous experience within the cannabis vertical from seed-to-sale and has built a massive network of resources. Damon’s last endeavor was with a company called ebbu which was the first dedicated company to the drug discovery of cannabinoids, which ultimately was acquired by Canopy Growth for CAD$429mm. Damon has also been involved in the action sports industry and also was one of four entrepreneurs to start Colorado's first ever glass recycling facility to focus on sustainable recycling.
Jim Gunning - CMO
Jim Gunning is the CMO of Mydecine Innovations Group. Mr.Gunning has significant experience in senior marketing and leadership roles. He was one of the first hires at Red Bull North America. In his 10 years with the brand he had a significant role in their success as a Director of Marketing in their HQ office. He has since worked with several other major brands developing significant strategic marketing and partnership initiatives and has worked with multiple start ups.
Robert Roscow, MA - CSO & Co-Founder
Robert Roscow is the Chief Scientific Officer of Mydecine Innovations Group. As a highly educated geneticist, he has spent his academic and professional careers looking for valuable and unique medicinal molecules found in nature. The last two companies that Robert applied his innovations to were Canopy Growth and ebbu where he ran their genetics divisions. Mr. Roscow has already leveraged an expertise in genomics, evolution and molecular biology to maximize the industrial production of cannabinoids and their use in a pharmacological context. This work has resulted in multiple patent filings and accolades in publications ranging from Nature to Rolling Stone. Now, Mr. Roscow has set his focus on the vast healing potential of fungi.
Michael Connolly, J.D. - General Counsel/CCO
Michael Connolly is the Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel for Mydecine Innovations Group. He has a 28-year extensive background incorporate law, finance, and transactional law, as well as commercial litigation. Mr. Connolly has served as counsel and advisor for numerous start-up companies, including companies in the cannabis and CBD industries. He has been responsible for managing complex financial transactions, compliance and regulatory matters, and investor relations. Juris Doctorate from Creighton University School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Colorado, Florida, and Nebraska.
Vince Polito, Ph.D.
Cognitive Science Researcher at Macquarie University, Australia with significant experience in psilocybin microdosing research. In 2019 led & conducted one of the largest to date systematic study of microdosing psychedelics.
Dr. Rakesh Jetly, OMM, CD, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Jetly is currently the Head of the Centre of Excellence on Mental Health in Ottawa, Ontario, and an associate professor of psychiatry at Dalhousie University (Halifax), and the University of Ottawa. He has published numerous articles in professional journals and presents nationally and internationally on such topics as post-traumatic stress disorder and operational psychiatry. Dr. Jetly has previously held various professional positions as a psychiatrist, including: Director of the “Operational Trauma and Stress Support Centre,” Atlantic Region (2000-2008); Chief Resident in Psychiatry, S͘t Michael’s Hospital (1999-2000); and Senior Medical Officer for the “Canadian Contingent United Nations Middle East” in Israel (1993-1994).
Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza, Ph.D., P.Ag
Dr. Mirza is a botanist who brings over four decades of experience and industry knowledge to greenhouse technologies. Dr. Mirza holds a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta and served as an adjunct professor at his alma matter. Dr. Mirza was inducted into the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame and subsequently the Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association created the Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza Educational and Scholarship Foundation. Dr. Mirza has consulted with agencies in all sectors. He brings vast knowledge of greenhouse technologies, infrastructure, feasibility, R&D
Dr. Zul Merali, Ph.D.
Dr. Zul Merali was President/CEO and Scientific Director of the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research. He was also full professor in the faculties of Medicine (Departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Psychiatry) and Social Sciences (Psychology) at the University of Ottawa, as well as research professor at the Institute of Neuroscience at Carleton University. Dr.Merali's research focuses on the body's response to stressful and appetitive events as well as how pharmacological interventions may attenuate stress-induced pathophysiology. Dr. Merali's research investigations also extend from the behavioral to the cellular and molecular levels and involve experimental animals as well as human subjects. Dr. Merali has published over a hundred scientific papers, more than 20 book chapters and over 100 conference presentations.
Rafal Osowicki - Software Architect
Rafal is a seasoned technology director that has led large technical teams encompassing complex software development projects. Over 10 years of industry experience.
Simon Abou-Antoun, MBA, BE
Simon has 10+ years of technical leadership, running teams and developing custom solutions for companies including Amazon, Scotia Bank and Fiat Chrysler.
Tomasz Dzieniak - Mobile App Development lead
Highly skilled and thoroughly experienced mobile app development professional, Tomasz has over 11 years of programming experience and more than 100 completed projects he has experience leading iOS and Android teams, realizing complex and demanding projects and solving API related issues.
Jack Bunce, Marketing and Operations Marketing and AI Expert
Jack launched Triage.com, the world's first and largest predictive AI Dermatology Platform, plus developed and led marketing projects for multinational banks, consumer rewards, and technology companies
Cynthia Salarizadeh, PR
Cynthia Salarizadeh is the head of public relations for Mydecine Innovations Group. She has more than 20 years experience in strategic communications and mass media relations. Cynthia is the founder of the newswire and entrepreneur tech suite, AxisWire, as well as the luxury brand House of Saka. She is also the co-founder of cannabis finance news publication Green Market Report. KCSA Strategic Communications acquired her leading cannabis and hemp public relations firm Salar Media Group.
Anton Gomez-Escolar, MA, MSc
Psychopharmacologist, a Member of the UNAD commission on international drug policy. Advisor to large pharma and nutraceutical companies ,investment firms, and government committees on public health.
Robin Carhart-Harris, Ph.D.
Leads Imperial College London’s Centre For Psychedelic Research. Regularly publishes research on psychedelic medicines in clinical perspectives.
David Erritzoe, MD, Ph.D., MRCPsych
NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in General Psychiatry in Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychedelic Research Centres, Division of Psychiatry, Dpt of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London.
Malireddy Srinivasulu Reddy, Ph.D.
As a 7-time Nobel Prize Nominee, Dr. Reddy is the founder and president of Denver-based American Dairy and Food Consulting Laboratories and International Media and Cultures (IMAC Inc.). He holds over 150 U.S. and international patents and has published over 80 scientific articles on dairy starter cultures, probiotics, pharmaceuticals, and complementary alternative medicines pertaining to probiotics.
Dr. Rakesh Jetly, OMM, CD, MD, FRCPC, is currently the Head of the Centre of Excellence on Mental Health in Ottawa, Ontario, and an associate professor of psychiatry at Dalhousie University ; Queen’s University, and the University of Ottawa. Previously Director of the “Operational Trauma and Stress Support Centre,” Atlantic Region; Chief Resident in Psychiatry, St. Michael’s Hospital; and Senior Medical Officer for the “Canadian Contingent United Nations Middle East” in ISRAEL.
Michael Connolly - General Counsel/CCO, is a practicing attorney with 28 years of experience in the areas of corporate law, financial transactions, regulatory compliance, and business litigation both as in-house and as outside counsel for large national corporations and start-up companies. He has been involved in the cannabis and hemp/CBD industries for the past few years.
Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza, PhD, P.Ag, Botanist who brings over four decades of experience and industry knowledge to greenhouse technologies. Dr. Mirza holds a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta and served as an adjunct professor at his alma matter. Dr. Mirza was inducted into the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame.
Michael Connolly - General Counsel/CCO, is a practicing attorney with 28 years of experience in the areas of corporate law, financial transactions, regulatory compliance, and business litigation both as in-house and as outside counsel for large national corporations and start-up companies. He has been involved in the cannabis and hemp/CBD industries for the past few years.
Dr. Zul Merali, PhD, Past experience includes, President/CEO and Scientific Director of the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research. His research focuses on the body's response to stressful and appetitive events and the relationship of stressors (including early-life trauma) to mood and anxiety disorders.
Michael Connolly - General Counsel/CCO, is a practicing attorney with 28 years of experience in the areas of corporate law, financial transactions, regulatory compliance, and business litigation both as in-house and as outside counsel for large national corporations and start-up companies. He has been involved in the cannabis and hemp/CBD industries for the past few years.
Margaret McKinnon, Ph.D., CPSYCH
Dr. McKinnon received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Toronto in 2003 and subsequently completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Rotman Research Institute. She holds or has held competitive grant funding from the Bickell Foundation, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran’s Health Research, the National Institute for Mental Health, N RS D, and OMHF.
Michael Connolly - General Counsel/CCO, is a practicing attorney with 28 years of experience in the areas of corporate law, financial transactions, regulatory compliance, and business litigation both as in-house and as outside counsel for large national corporations and start-up companies. He has been involved in the cannabis and hemp/CBD industries for the past few years.
Ruth Lanius, MD, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychiatry is the director of the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research unit at Western University. Established the Traumatic Stress Service and the Traumatic Stress Service Workplace Program, services that specialize in the treatment and research of PTSD.
Michael Connolly - General Counsel/CCO, is a practicing attorney with 28 years of experience in the areas of corporate law, financial transactions, regulatory compliance, and business litigation both as in-house and as outside counsel for large national corporations and start-up companies. He has been involved in the cannabis and hemp/CBD industries for the past few years.
Gary H. Wynn, MD, COL, MC, USA
Dr. Gary Wynn is Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience ,Assistant Chair of the Department of Psychiatry, and Senior Scientist at the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress. He is also a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and on the editorial board of the Journal of Neuroscience Research. Dr. Wynn received his education at the United States Military Academy at West Point and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
Michael Connolly - General Counsel/CCO, is a practicing attorney with 28 years of experience in the areas of corporate law, financial transactions, regulatory compliance, and business litigation both as in-house and as outside counsel for large national corporations and start-up companies. He has been involved in the cannabis and hemp/CBD industries for the past few years.
Paul Frewen, MD, Ph.D.
Dr. Frewen joined the departments of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada in September 2008. He completed his doctorate in clinical psychology at Western and his post-doctoral residency at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. He has chaired the Traumatic Stress Section of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) and is current chair of the practice committee of the American Psychological Association (APA) Psychological Trauma Division.
Michael Connolly - General Counsel/CCO, is a practicing attorney with 28 years of experience in the areas of corporate law, financial transactions, regulatory compliance, and business litigation both as in-house and as outside counsel for large national corporations and start-up companies. He has been involved in the cannabis and hemp/CBD industries for the past few years.
Denton Hoyer, Ph.D.
Dr. Hoyer has been involved in drug discovery at leading pharmaceutical companies and research institutions for the last 30 years. He holds numerous patents and has been published extensively in the field of medicinal chemistry and drug research. Dr. Hoyer has unparalleled expertise in computational chemistry enabled probe molecule design, drug design and optimization, synthetic planning and execution, evaluation of chemical novelty and intellectual property assessment and strategies.
Michael Connolly - General Counsel/CCO, is a practicing attorney with 28 years of experience in the areas of corporate law, financial transactions, regulatory compliance, and business litigation both as in-house and as outside counsel for large national corporations and start-up companies. He has been involved in the cannabis and hemp/CBD industries for the past few years.
Danielle Wise, Ph.D.
30 years of psychotherapy, mental health coaching, and therapy work with thousands of clients. Significant experience in psychedelic aftercare and utilizing telemedicine tools in her practice.
Michael Connolly - General Counsel/CCO, is a practicing attorney with 28 years of experience in the areas of corporate law, financial transactions, regulatory compliance, and business litigation both as in-house and as outside counsel for large national corporations and start-up companies. He has been involved in the cannabis and hemp/CBD industries for the past few years.
Rick Barnett, Psy.D., MA, MS, LADC
Clinical psychologist who is an expert in addictive disorders (including sex, drugs and food addiction) and problems such as depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties. Rick has experience in a range of approaches to treating problems related to addictive behaviors.
Michael Connolly - General Counsel/CCO, is a practicing attorney with 28 years of experience in the areas of corporate law, financial transactions, regulatory compliance, and business litigation both as in-house and as outside counsel for large national corporations and start-up companies. He has been involved in the cannabis and hemp/CBD industries for the past few years.
Eric Vermetten, Prof. dr. H.G.J.M. MD, Ph.D. Colonel
Dr. Vermetten is professor of Medical-Biological and Psychiatric Aspects of Psychotrauma, LUMC/University of Leiden. The chair was established by Arq Psychotrauma Research and the Dutch Ministry of Defense. Eric Vermetten is an active clinical psychiatrist at the MGGZ in Utrecht (Military Mental Health care). From 1991 he has been linked to several universities as a researcher, including Stanford University, California, Yale Univ, New Haven CT, Emory Univ, Atlanta, and studied at the University of Maastricht and followed several postgraduate courses. Dr. Vermetten has published over 300 articles and book chapters on topics ranging from large longitudinal studies following soldiers’deployments to innovative approaches to treatment. He continues to be a leader within the international psych traumatology community within NATO and beyond.
Michael Connolly - General Counsel/CCO, is a practicing attorney with 28 years of experience in the areas of corporate law, financial transactions, regulatory compliance, and business litigation both as in-house and as outside counsel for large national corporations and start-up companies. He has been involved in the cannabis and hemp/CBD industries for the past few years.