Science-focused,

Data Driven

Founded in 2019 by Jackie von Salm, PhD and Chris Witowski, PhD, Psilera is a scientist-led biopharmaceutical company based in Tampa, FL.

We specialize in engineering novel therapies through next-generation precision neuroscience.

Meet The Team

Chris Witowski, PhD

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Jackie von Salm, PhD

Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer

Magali Haas, MD-PhD

Chief Medical Officer

Scott Rairigh, MS

EVP, Corporate Development

Allyson Gage, PhD

VP, Clinical Development

Jeanine Yacoub, PhD

Director, Drug Discovery & Development

Elena Bray, PhD

Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Katie DeMarsh, MBA

Director, Marketing

Board of Directors

Roberto Velarde, MBA

Magali Haas, MD-PhD

Chris Witowski, PhD

Jackie von Salm, PhD

Scott Rairigh, MS

Advisors

  • Elizabeth Finger, M.D.

    -Clinical Researcher

    -FTD Advisor, Psilera

    Dr. Finger is the leading expert in behavioral neurology associated with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). She is currently running a phase II study in FTD with intranasal oxytocin.

  • Jade Brown, M.B.A.

    -Biotechnology Transactional Advisor

    With over 30 years experience in leading biopharma business transactions (collectively $1B+), he specializes in working with small biotech in external business development roles.

  • John Gregg, M.B.A.

    -Chairman & CEO, BalinBac Therapeutics, Inc.

    -Non-executive Director, Psilera

    Over 33 years of experience in pharmaceutical industry. Focused areas of expertise: Medical Devices, Biotechnology, Market Research, Endocrinology, and Healthcare.

  • Dorf Nelson & Zauderer LLP

    -Patent Advisors, Psilera

    DN&Z has been providing legal services and solutions to corporations, entrepreneurs, growing businesses and successful companies for over 30 years in the areas of litigation, corporate law, labor and employment law, intellectual property, life sciences, cybersecurity and data privacy.

  • Facet Life Sciences

    -Scientific and Regulatory Experts

    -Regulatory Advisors, Psilera

    Facet leverages strong scientific, development, and regulatory expertise to help small organizations bring great science and innovative products to and through the FDA.

  • Christopher R. Nicholas, Ph.D.

    -Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

    -Clinical Development Advisor, Psilera

    Clinical psychologist and research scientist focused on investigating the therapeutic application and mechanisms of psychedelics (psilocybin; DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, MDMA) and novel compounds for mental health, addiction, and chronic pain.

Collaborators

  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

    -Collaborators since 2020

    In coordination with the National Institute of Health, NIDA and Psilera have joined forces to better understand the therapeutic potential of neuroplastogens.

  • Dani Gulick, Ph.D.

    -Associate Professor & Researcher at University of South Florida

    -Scientific collaborator since 2021

    Dani provides invaluable insights into small mammal behavior testing and data interpretation.

  • Cody Wenthur, PharmD & Ph.D.

    -Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin Maddison

    -Director of Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation

    -Research collaborator since 2021

    Pursues the development and application of chemical and biological tools that can uncover shared molecular deficits in stress management and reward function.

  • Hesperos

    - Collaborators since 2025

    - Developers of organ-on-a-chip technology being used to study disease mechanisms and drug efficacy in the preclinical stages of PSIL-006.

  • Michael Baumann, Ph.D.

    -Staff Scientist at The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

    -Scientific Advisor since 2020

    33 years of dedication to the advancement of knowledge tied to addictions and their treatments.

  • Steven Austin, Ph.D.

    -Postdoctoral Researcher, University of South Florida

    -Scientific collaborator since 2019

    Steven’s passionate research into computational chemistry platforms has honed the development of our own drug development platform: Psilera Third Eye.

  • John McCorvy, Ph.D.

    -Assistant Professor at Medical College of Wisconsin

    -Scientific collaborator since 2020

    Over 13 years of experience in academic research specializing in the understanding of psychedelic compounds.