Charmaine and Gordon McGill
Funding Period: June 2022–May 2025 JULY 2025
With Deepest Gratitude: A Look at Your Impact Thus Far — and What’s Next
The Cain Foundation’s generous gifts to support research in 2022 and 2024 – followed by a transformative investment of $10 million and the transfer of a $1 million endowment in 2024 – played a pivotal role in the establishment of the newly named Charmaine and Gordon McGill Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy. Thanks to your generosity, the McGill Center has rapidly grown into one of the most active and innovative psychedelic research centers in the country. Your support has been instrumental in attracting world-class scientists and clinicians, launching cutting-edge clinical trials, and helping shape public understanding and policy.
We are profoundly grateful for your continued partnership and are delighted to share in the following pages the remarkable progress we ’ ve achieved across our initiatives
Dear Charmaine and Gordon,
On behalf of Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin and the broader UT Medicine community, I extend my deepest gratitude for your visionary support of the Charmaine and Gordon McGill Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy
Thanks to the Cain Foundation’s extraordinary investment, the McGill Center is now one of the nation’s most active and innovative sites for psychedelic research
In just two years, the center has attracted more than $1 82 million in additional funding, produced over a dozen peer-reviewed publications, and helped shape emerging state and national policy including legislation that establishes Texas as a leader in the responsible exploration of psychedelic therapies
Your commitment is catalyzing a new era of science and healing. Together, we are building a future in which people suffering from the most difficult mental health challenges have access to care that is not only evidence-based but profoundly human This work provides new hope to people with treatmentresistant conditions those for whom no other options previously existed
As we continue this important work, we remain deeply honored by your partnership and inspired by your belief in our mission. Thank you for helping us define the future of health here in Texas and far beyond
With deepest gratitude,
CLAUDIA F. LUCCHINETTI, M.D. Dean, Dell Medical School
Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin
Frank and Charmaine Denius Distinguished Dean’s Chair in Medical Leadership
Financial Overview
The Cain Foundation’s visionary philanthropy has been foundational to the successful launch of the McGill Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy. Your investment in critical personnel, essential infrastructure, and travel support for both study participants and faculty has been deeply impactful. On the following page is an updated financial summary detailing expenditures across key accounts.
Notes:
The Endowment for Charmaine and Gordon McGill Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy remains intact at this time, as our current focus has been on strategically using the gift funds allocated for this fiscal year.
This account includes an endowment transfer of $1,056,733.16, plus a principal balance of $106,287.95 in accumulated distributions. There is an additional $2,000,000 pledged to this fund.The current balance amplifies the income generated, which will be spent in accordance with its intended purpose per the gift agreement. This approach ensures that endowed resources are preserved and can further accumulate for project sustainability while allowing us to maximize the immediate impact of current-year contributions.
Financial Overview
Charmaine and Gordon McGill Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy (2024, Current Use)
$8M committed, $1.25M paid as of May 2025.
Charmaine and Gordon McGill Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy (2022, Current Use)
$1.2M committed in 2022; $300,000 committed in 2024. Paid in full.
Encumbrances represent funds that have been earmarked for anticipated expenditures based on confirmed commitments. Once these obligations are fulfilled — such as payments to vendors — the corresponding amounts will be reflected in the“Actuals”column. Please be aware that encumbrance figures may fluctuate slightly due to variables such as participant attrition, adjustments in compensation, and other dynamic factors.
Project Updates
The McGill Center is advancing a dynamic slate of psychedelic research, from a completed pilot study on psilocybin as an intervention for anorexia to ongoing trials targeting depression, PTSD, grief and addiction. With new studies now underway and others in planning we ’ re exploring innovative treatments, including novel compounds and combination therapies, to push the boundaries of mental health care.
Completed Study
Psilocybin for Anorexia Nervosa: In a groundbreaking clinical study, we tested the safety of psilocybin therapy for people with anorexia. One participant was successfully enrolled and treated, paving the way for future research in this area.
Ongoing Studies
Depression and Psilocybin: More than 200 people have been prescreened and several enrolled in a major national trial on psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression
Grief and Psychedelics: 24 family members coping with prolonged grief have participated in our observational study exploring how psychedelics may support healing.
Veterans and Ibogaine: 37 special-forces veterans have enrolled in a study evaluating the therapeutic potential of ibogaine, a plant-derived compound that may help treat addiction and PTSD.
New Studies Launched
Ayahuasca and PTSD in Veterans: 14 participants are enrolled in this study exploring how the traditional Amazonian brew may support healing.
Cain Foundation-Funded Depression Study: With your support, we launched a unique study combining psilocybin with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to help people with major depression. Early enrollment in the study began in January 2025.
Creativity, Fear, Reward and and Psychedelics: A new study funded by the Center for MINDS (Multidisciplinary Investigation into Novel Discoveries and Solutions) is exploring how psychedelics may enhance creative problem-solving and insight. One goal of this project is to test whether psychedelics enhance a neurocognitive process called processing fluency, which is associated with creativity. Integrated into this project and funded by the Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation, we will also test how psilocybin impacts fear extinction and reward learning.
Promising New Study for Anxiety: Enrollment is now open for a major new clinical trial to explore whether LSD D-Tartrate can safely and effectively reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety. This is one of the first Phase 3 studies of its kind in the U.S., and it could open the door to a powerful new treatment option for people living with anxiety.
New Studies in Planning
Cain Foundation-Funded PTSD Study: A future trial will compare MDMA with a stimulant to understand how it helps people heal from trauma. Planning is underway, including preparing the application required to secure federal approval.
LSD for Major Depression: A new trial funded by MindMed will test whether LSD can help people with major depressive disorder. This study is in preparation.
RE104 for Adjustment Disorder: Sponsored by Reunion Pharmaceuticals, this upcoming study will evaluate the efficacy of RE104 — a novel psilocybin-like compound — in helping people cope after being diagnosed with serious medical conditions such as ALS, cardiomyopathy or cancer.
Heffter Foundation Study: A new study funded by the Heffter Research Institute and the Cohen Foundation will test the effects of psilocybin on memory retrieval. This will be the first study to examine whether psychedelics facilitate access to previously formed memories or distort one ’ s memory for these events.
Faculty and Staff
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, who are leading active projects:
Charles B. Nemeroff, M.D., Ph.D. — Chair/Co-Director
Gregory A. Fonzo, Ph.D. Assistant Professor/Co-Director
• Leading ongoing observational studies of psilocybin treatment for female family members of veterans and civilians with prolonged grief disorder; ibogaine treatment of special operations forces veterans with combat-related mental health issues; and ayahuasca treatment of veterans with combat-related mental health issues.
• Also leading the ongoing clinical trial of psilocybin and accelerated theta burst repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatmentresistant depression
Jeff Newport, M.D. Professor
• Leading the Reunion Neuroscience postpartum depression study.
Julie Farrington, M.D. — Assistant Professor
• Leading the COMP006 psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression study and the MindMed study of LSD for generalized anxiety disorder
Manoj Doss, Ph.D. Assistant Professor
• Leading the Center for Minds study on creativity and processing fluency and the Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation study on fear extinction and reward learning.
• Leading the Heffter-Cohen study testing psilocybin on the retrieval of episodic memories
Lief Fenno, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor
• Co-leading the anonymous foundation study on psychedelic effects on the dopamine system
Jennifer Donegan, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor
• Co-leading the anonymous foundation study on psychedelic effects on the dopamine system
A complete list of faculty and learners is included in Section F of the appendix, and a list of staff is provided in Section G.
Faculty and Staff
New Faculty Members
David Bender, M.D., will join us from Washington University in St. Louis. A psychiatrist with expertise in psychedelic therapies, he will be an assistant professor.
Alison Hanson, M D , Ph D , joins us from the University of Iowa as an assistant professor and will lead basic neuroscience studies supported by the Cain Foundation.
New Staff Members
Daniella Batievsky, hired as a Research/Engineering Scientist Associate I, brings experience from Lykos Therapeutics and a strong focus on psychedelic therapeutics
Ella Toye, B.S., who was a standout undergraduate volunteer in Dr. Fonzo’s lab, has joined the McGill Center full time as a research assistant. She plans to pursue graduate training after her work at the center.
Notable Staff Milestones
Lewis Leone, M.S., completed his dissertation proposal on ibogaine therapy in veterans and is now completing his clinical psychology internship. He will return to UT Austin by early spring to defend his dissertation
Dr. Manoj Doss, a former research fellow, was promoted to assistant professor after securing three independent grants, publishing influential work on psychedelics and memory, and leading cognitive neuroscience studies in healthy individuals to understand how psychedelic compounds affect the brain, cognition and behavior He is an expert in the effects of psychoactive drugs on memory systems and will continue to lead efforts to understand this important topic.
Faculty and Staff Research Outcomes and Impact
This year marked a leap forward in both scientific discovery and real-world influence With new grant funding, high-profile publications, and dozens of national presentations, our research is gaining traction across disciplines. At the same time, our work is helping shape mental health policy most notably through a major state initiative to advance ibogaine research From lab to legislature to patients’ lives, the McGill Center is driving meaningful real-world change.
New Grant Funding
With the Cain Foundation’s leadership gift anchoring our growth, we attracted more than $1 82 million in new grants, including:
from the Center for MINDS to study psychedelics and creative problem-solving.
$383,000 $40,000 $150,000
$1.25 million
from an anonymous foundation to study how dopamine may contribute to therapeutic effects
from the Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation to study how psilocybin affects fear and reward learning from the Heffter Research Institute and the Cohen Foundation to study how psilocybin impacts episodic memory retrieval.
Other grant opportunities are discussed in Section E of the appendix.
Publications
Our faculty published more than a dozen peer-reviewed articles in leading scientific journals in the past year, including:
The American Journal of Psychiatry
The American Scientist
Psychological Review
Journal of Psychopharmacology
These publications explore how psychedelics affect the brain, mood, memory and more. A comprehensive list of publications can be found in Sections A and B of the appendix Additionally, center Co-Directors Drs Nemeroff and Fonzo coedited a special issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry devoted to psychedelics, discussed further in Section D of the appendix
Presentations and Recognition
Our researchers were invited to share findings at over 30 national and international conferences, including the American Psychiatric Association Annual Conference, SXSW and the Federal Summit on Psychedelic Medicine Policy.
We also co-edited a special issue on psychedelics in the American Journal of Psychiatry, helping shape the national dialogue Section C of the appendix lists all invited presentations.
Community and Policy Impact
Thanks to our leadership, the center is increasingly influencing state and national policy. Most notable was the passage of Texas Senate Bill 2308, which Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law on June 11. The measure allocates $50 million, to be matched by one or more pharmaceutical companies, to jumpstart clinical trials into the use of ibogaine to treat PTSD, opioid use disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other conditions Dr Nemeroff submitted written testimony, and Dr. Fonzo testified in person in support of the measure.
A set of companion bills, HB4014 and SB3005, died in committee but laid important groundwork and raised legislators’ awareness of the possibilities of psychedelics to transform mental health care. These bills proposed a study by the Health and Human Services Commission on the use of MDMA, psilocybin and ketamine for treating conditions such as PTSD and depression.
Additionally, Dr. Nemeroff has been leading a national initiative, in conjunction with the Conafay group, that would establish an advocacy, education and research consortium to motivate and conduct rigorous, high-quality research on psychedelic medicines with federal appropriations. This consortium is currently early in its planning, setup and fundraising phase
Thank You, Charmaine and Gordon
Your commitment is not only advancing science it is transforming lives Your belief in the McGill Center and in the potential of psychedelic therapies has catalyzed a movement We are proud to steward your investment and excited for the future we are building together.
Thank you for your trust, your vision and your partnership.
A. New Publications
a. Fonzo, G.A., Doss, M. K., and Nemeroff, C. B. (2025).There’s More than One Way to Bring Health Back: Divergent Effects of Psilocybin and Escitalopram Treatment on Emotional Brain Function in Depression The American Journal of Psychiatry 182(6):512-515. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20250247
b Fonzo G A & Nemeroff, C B (2025) Psychedelics move toward mainstream medicine.The American Scientist 113: 170-177.
c. Fonzo G.A.,Wolfang,A. S., Barksdale, B. R., Krystal,J. K., Carpenter, L., L., Kraguljac, N V, Grzenda,A , McDonald,W M ,Widge,A S , Rodriguez, C I , Nemeroff, C. B., and the Work Group on Biomarkers and Novel Treatments, a Division of the American Psychiatric Association Council of Research. (2024) Psilocybin: From Psychiatric Pariah to Perceived Panacea The American Journal of Psychiatry 182(1):54-78. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20230682
d Wolfang,A S , Fonzo G A , Gray,J , Krystal,J K , Grzenda,A ,Widge,A S , Kraguljac, N.V., McDonald,W. M., Rodriguez, C. I., Nemeroff, C. B. (2024). MDMA and MDMA-Assisted Therapy.The American Journal of Psychiatry 182(1):79-103. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20230681
e. Fonzo, G.A., Nemeroff, C. B., and Kalin, N (2025). Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Oh,What ATrip! The American Journal of Psychiatry 182(1):1-5. https://doi org/10 1176/appi ajp 20241025
f. Doss, M. K., DeMarco,A., Dunsmoor,J. E., Cisler,J. M., Fonzo, G.A., & Nemeroff, C. B. (2024). How Psychedelics Modulate Multiple Memory Mechanisms in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Drugs https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-024-02106-4
g. Leone, L., McSpadden, B., DeMarco,A., Enten, L., Kline, R., & Fonzo, G.A. (2024). Psychedelics and Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: A Systematic Review with Recommendations for Advancing Psychedelic Therapy Research. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 47(2):367-398 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2024.02.006
h. Barksdale, B.A., Doss, M. K., Fonzo, G.A., and Nemeroff, C. B. (2024).The Mechanistic Divide in Psychedelic Neuroscience: An Unbridgeable Gap? Neurotherapeutics, 21(2):e00322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00322.
i. Goodwin, G., Malievskaia, E., Fonzo, G.A., and Nemeroff, C.B. (2024). Must psilocybin always“assist psychotherapy”? The American Journal of Psychiatry, 181(1):20-25. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20221043.
j. Goodwin, G., Malievskaia, E., Fonzo, G.A., and Nemeroff, C.B. (2024). Psychological support for psilocybin treatment: Reply to Letters on Our Commentary.The American Journal of Psychiatry 181(1):79-81. https://doi org/10 1176/appi ajp 20230905
k Doss, M. K., Kloft, L., Mason, N. L., Mallaroni, P., Reckweg,J.T., van Oorsouw, K., Tupper, N., Otgaar, H., & Ramaekers,J. G. (2024).Ayahuasca enhances the formation of hippocampal-dependent episodic memory without impacting false memory susceptibility in experienced ayahuasca users.Journal of Psychopharmacology, 39, 339-349. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811241301216
l. Doss, M. K., Mallaroni, P., Kloft, L., Mason, N. L., & Ramaekers,J. G. (2024). Psilocybin and 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B) at encoding distort episodic familiarity. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience & Neuroimaging, 9, 1048-1057 https://doi org/10 1016/j bpsc 2024 06 008
m. Doss, M. K., Samaha,J., Barrett, F. S., Griffiths, R. R., de Wit, H., Gallo, D.A., & Koen,J. D. (2024). Unique effects of sedatives, dissociatives, psychedelics, stimulants, and cannabinoids on episodic memory: A review and reanalysis of acute drug effects on recollection, familiarity, and metamemory. Psychological Review, 131, 523-562. https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000455
n Doss, M K , & Das, R K (2024) Pharmacology of Human Memory In J Grafman & C. Ranganath. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of the Human Brain II. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12820480-1.00194-7
B. Publications Under Review
a Doss, M K , Fonzo, G A , Nemeroff, C B (In review) What We Know and What We Think We Know About the Mechanisms of Psychedelic Drug Action.The Scientist.
b. Girn, M., Doss, M. K., Roseman, L., Preller, K. H., Palhano-Fontese, F., Pasquini, L., Barrett, F. S., Mallaroni, P., Mason, N. L.,Timmermann, C., McCullochh, D. E., Fisher, P. M.,Winston, B. S.*, Moujaes, F., Müller, F., Liechti, M E ,Vollenweider, F X , Ramaekers,J G , Kuypers, K ,Araujo, D B , Sporns, O., Siegel,J. S., Dosenbach, N., Nutt, D.J., Carhart-Harris, R. L., Stamatakisl, E.A., & Bzdok, D. (in review at Nature Medicine).
C. Invited Presentations
a Fonzo, G A The State of the Union: The Science and Legality of Psychedelics in Texas. Psychedelic Society of Texas panel presentation at St. Charles Studios with Logan Davidson, Lynette Averill, Ph.D., and Bryan Hubbard, Houston,TX, USA. 05/25
b. Fonzo, G.A.The State of the Union: The Science and Legality of Psychedelics in Texas. Psychedelic Society of Texas panel presentation at Geekdom Event Center with Logan Davidson, Lynette Averill, Ph.D., and Bryan Hubbard, San Antonio,TX, USA 05/25
c. Nemeroff, C.B. New Vistas in the Treatment of Mood and Anxiety Disorders American Psychiatric Association Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA, USA. 05/25
d. Nemeroff, C.B. Research Voices on Psychedelic Medicine. Federal Summit on Psychedelic Medicine Policy, National Press Club,Washington, DC , USA 05/25
e. Fonzo, G.A. Psychedelic Medicine: Origins, Current Status, and Future Directions. Oral presentation for Bonney Lecture Series, Department of Psychology, University North Texas, Denton,TX, USA 04/25
f. Fonzo, G.A. Psychedelic Research, Legality, and Future in Texas. Panel presentation at the 2025 Texas Mushroom Conference with Dr Lynette Averill, Logan Davidson, and Rep.Alex Dominguez,Austin,TX, USA. 04/25
g. Nemeroff, C.B.What Clinicians Need to Know About the State of Psychedelic Research Anxiety and Depression Association of America Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV, USA. 04/25
h. Fonzo, G.A.What was old was new: Treating trauma with plant medicine. Oral Presentation at Austin 4 America Conference,Austin,TX, USA 03/25
i. Fonzo, G.A.The State of the Union: The Science and Legality of Psychedelics in Texas (virtual) Psychedelic Society of Texas panel virtual presentation with Logan Davidson, Lynette Averill, Ph.D., and Bryan Hubbard,Austin,TX, USA. 03/25
j Nemeroff, C B The Future of Psychedelics: Problems and Promises Indiana University, Department of Psychiatry Morris H Aprison Lectureship in Biological Psychiatry. Indianapolis, IN, USA. 03/25
k Nemeroff, C B Psychopharmacology: A Masterclass University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,Winter Lecture Series. Miami, FL, USA. 02/25
l. Nemeroff, C.B. Ketamine and Esketamine: The Amazing,The Good,The Bad, and The Ugly.Tulane University, Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds, New Orleans, LA, USA. 02/25
m. Nemeroff, C.B.The Future of Psychedelics: Problems and Promises. Norwalk Hospital Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry Grand Rounds. Virtual 02/25
n. Nemeroff, C.B.The Future of Psychedelics: Problems and Promises. Pine Rest Postma Center, Michigan State University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Grand Rounds Virtual 02/25
o. Fonzo, G.A.The State of the Union: The Science and Legality of Psychedelics in Texas Psychedelic Society of Texas panel presentation at Sapien Center with Logan Davidson, Lynette Averill, Ph.D., and Bryan Hubbard,Austin,TX, USA. 01/25
p Nemeroff, C B The Future of Psychedelics: Problems and Promises
Augusta University Medical College, Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior Grand Rounds,Augusta, GA, USA. 01/25
q Fonzo, G A The Role of Psychotherapy in Mental Health and Wellness Panel presentation at Capital Factory, Omni Hotel with Rick Doblin, Ph.D., Stephanie Washburn, Ph.D., and Han Ren, Ph.D.Austin,TX, USA. 11/24
r. Fonzo, G.A. Psychedelic treatment of mental illness. Oral presentation presented at the 36 annual UT Psychiatric Pharmacotherapy Update. 10/24
th
s. Nemeroff, C. B.The Future of Psychedelics: Problems and Promises. RUSH University Women’s Board Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Grand Rounds, Chicago, IL. 09/24
t. Fonzo, G.A. Psilocybin as a Psychiatric Therapeutic. Oral presentation presented at the Texas Mushroom Conference,Austin,TX, USA. 06/24
u. Fonzo, G.A. Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Potentials, Perils, and Progress at UT. Oral presentation at the Texas Research Society on Alcoholism, San Antonio,TX, USA. 06/24
v. Fonzo, G.A. Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Potentials, Perils, and Progress at UT. Oral presentation as part of a panel on psychedelic therapies, moderated by COLApril Verlo, with MAJ Aaron Wolfgang, M D , COL Amanda Robbins, PsyD., and Dr. Robert Koffman, M.D., M.P.H., at U.S. Special Operations Command Warrior Care Program Care Coalition Conference, Orlando, FL. 05/24
w. Fonzo, G.A. Psychedelics: Ethics and Real-World Applications. Invited oral presentation at the annual conference for the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists, Orlando, FL 04/24
x. Nemeroff, C.B.The Future of Psychedelics: Problems and Promises. Mexican Consortium of Neuropsychopharmacology Conference.Acapulco, Mexico 04/24
y. Fonzo, G.A. Psychedelics for performance optimization in science and medicine. Panel presentation at Learn VC,Austin,TX, USA. 03/24
z. Fonzo, G.A.The promise of psychedelic-assisted therapies in alleviating depression, trauma, and grief. Oral presentation to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) 03/24
aa. Fonzo, G.A. Man vs. Nature: The Commercialization of Psilocybin. Panel presentation with Sue Sisley, M.D. and Shawn Hauser at SXSW in Austin, TX 03/24
bb. Nemeroff, C. B.The Future of Psychedelics: Problems and Promises. University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Grand Rounds, Miami, FL. 02/24
cc. Nemeroff, C. B.The Future of Psychedelics: Problems and Promises. University of Utah Huntsman Mental Health Institute Grand Rounds, Salt Lake City, UT. 02/24
dd.The Impact of Psychedelics on Memory, Neuroscience Dialogues seminar of the Department of Neuroscience,The University of Texas at Austin,Austin,TX 04/25
ee. How I Discovered a Unique Effect of Psychedelics on Episodic Memory in the de Wit Lab, Festschrift Honoring Dr. Harriet de Wit,The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 06/25
ff. Damer, B., & Doss, M., Catalyzing Insights with Conscious & Psychedelic Practices (talk), SXSW 2025, South by Southwest,Austin,TX 03/25
gg. Capone, M.,Tankel, S., & Doss, M. Psychedelics: Therapeutics & Human Performance and Creativity (panel), MO Summit, Big Path Capital,Austin, TX 06/24
hh. Doss, M., Psilocybin and 4-Bromo-2,5-Dimethoxyphenethylamine (2CB) at Encoding Distort Episodic Familiarity and Positively Bias Emotional Metamemory (talk), SOBP 2024, Society of Biological Psychiatry,Austin, TX. 05/24
ii Doss, M ,The Impact of Psychedelics on Episodic Memory Encoding and Retrieval (talk), ISRP 2024, International Society for Research on Psychedelics, New Orleans, LA, USA. 02/24
D. Editorship Work
a.The American Journal of Psychiatry Special Issue on Psychedelics (In print January 2025). Over the past year, Center Co-Directors Dr. Charles Nemeroff and Dr Greg Fonzo co-edited a special issue on psychedelics for the premier American psychiatric journal, including solicitation of articles from leaders in the field, garnering peer review, deciding on articles to accept/reject, curating the lineup of articles, and writing the introductory editorial to the Special Issue.
E. Grant Applications
a We plan to submit a new application to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism after our initial application was not funded.The plan is to shift the focus from psilocybin treatment of alcohol use disorder towards LSD treatment of alcohol use disorder, which is more novel in the current research framework but has a relatively large evidence base of potential efficacy from the original era of psychedelic research in the 1960s-1970s. Dr. Doss and Dr. Fonzo have forged a relationship with Ceruvia, which is about to begin supplying cGMP LSD for use in investigational studies.We will plan to apply as a new application in October 2025.
b There is a new funding opportunity from the Travis County government, potentially using money garnered from the opioid legal settlement with Purdue Pharma.We have submitted an application to conduct a small pilot study of psilocybin for the treatment of opioid use disorder and comorbid PTSD symptoms in chronically homeless individuals currently maintained on medication-assisted therapy and who reside at CommunityFirst!, a local Austin-based nonprofit community dedicated to assisting/housing individuals transitioning out of chronic homelessness They are currently reviewing our budget and proposal, and we anticipate hearing back from them sometime in June. If this grant is successfully garnered, this will serve as the PGY Resident Research project for Itamar Shapira, M.D., one of our psychiatry residents working in the McGill Center with a deep interest in psychedelics, complex trauma/PTSD, and underserved populations.
c.Heffter Cohen New Investigator Award. Dr. Doss applied for this grant specifically meant for early career researchers in May 2025.The grant is titled Testing the Effects of Psychedelics on Episodic Memory Retrieval and will test how psilocybin impacts the ability to retrieve previously formed memories from a drug-free experience in healthy individuals.The knowledge gained from this test will be useful to understand whether psychedelics can truly facilitate one ’ s ability to remember experiences or if instead they may distort memories. Funding decisions are expected in midJune 2025.
F.All Faculty and Learners
a Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School
i. Charles B. Nemeroff, M.D., Ph.D. Chair/Co-Director
ii Gregory A Fonzo, Ph D Assistant Professor/Co-Director
iii. Josh Cisler, Ph.D. — Associate Professor
iv. Elizabeth Lippard, Ph.D. Assistant Professor
v. Jeff Newport, M.D. Professor
vi Julie Farrington, M D Assistant Professor
vii. Manoj Doss, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor
viii. Lief Fenno, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor
ix. Jennifer Donegan, Ph.D. Assistant Professor
x Raquel Kosted, B S — Graduate Student
xi. Lewis Leone, M.S. — Graduate Student
xii. Dan Engle, M.D. Adjunct Professor
xiii Erin Logue, Ph D Assistant Professor
xiv. Gregory Muller, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor
xv. Bryan Barksdale, M.D., Ph.D. Psychiatry Resident (PGY-4)
xvi. Itamar Shapira, M.D. Psychiatry Resident (PGY-2)
xvii Alexander Rasgon, M D Psychiatry Resident (PGY-2)
b. Department of Neuroscience, UT Austin
i. Joseph Dunsmoor, Ph.D. Associate Professor
c. College of Pharmacy, UT Austin
i. Anton L.V. Avanceña, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor
G. Staff
a. Lauren Enten, BSA Research/Engineering Scientist Associate I
b Annamarie DeMarco, B S Research/Engineering Scientist Associate III
c.Amanda Winchester, M.S., MPH — Research/Engineering Scientist Associate III
d. Morgan Ouren, B.S. Research/Engineering Scientist Associate I
e Kale Boesel, B S Research/Engineering Scientist Associate I
