Rick Doblin, Ph.D., is the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). He received his doctorate in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, where he wrote his dissertation on the regulation of the medical uses of psychedelics and marijuana and his Master's thesis on medical marijuana in cancer care. His undergraduate thesis at New College of Florida was a 25-year follow-up to the classic Good Friday Experiment, which evaluated the potential of psychedelic drugs to catalyze religious experiences. He also conducted a thirty-four year follow-up study to Timothy Leary’s Concord Prison Experiment. Rick studied with Stanislav Grof and was among the first to be certified as a Holotropic Breathwork practitioner. His professional goal is to help develop legal contexts for the beneficial uses of psychedelics and marijuana, primarily as prescription medicines but also for personal growth for otherwise healthy people, and also to become a legally licensed psychedelic therapist. He founded MAPS in 1986, and currently resides in Boston with his wife and three children.

Michael Mithoefer, M.D., is a psychiatrist practicing in Charleston, SC, where he divides his time between clinical research and outpatient clinical practice specializing in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with an emphasis on experiential methods of psychotherapy. He is a Grof-certified Holotropic Breathwork Facilitator and is trained in EMDR and Internal Family Systems Therapy. He and his wife, Annie Mithoefer, recently completed a MAPS-sponsored Phase II clinical trial testing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. A paper about their study was published in July 2010 in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. They are currently conducting a second trial with veterans who have PTSD resulting from service in the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as psychotherapy training programs for MAPS researchers. Dr. Mithoefer is the medical monitor for MAPS-sponsored clinical trials in Europe, the Middle East and Canada. Before going into psychiatry in 1995 he practiced emergency medicine for ten years, served as medical director of the Charleston County and Georgetown County Emergency Departments, and has held clinical faculty positions at the Medical University of South Carolina. He is currently board certified in Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, and Internal Medicine.

Annie Mithoefer, B.S.N., is a Registered Nurse living in Charleston, SC, where she divides her time between clinical research and outpatient clinical practice specializing in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with an emphasis on experiential methods of psychotherapy. She is a Grof-certified Holotropic Breathwork Practitioner and is trained in Hakomi Therapy. Recently she and her husband, Michael Mithoefer, M.D., completed a MAPS-sponsored Phase II clinical trial testing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.  A paper about their study was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. They are currently conducting a second trial with veterans who have PTSD resulting from service in the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as psychotherapy training programs for MAPS researchers.

Valerie Mojeiko has worked with MAPS since 2001. She earned her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the California Institute of Integral Studies, prior to which she attended New College of Florida. She has received 2 years of specialized training and mentorship in results-driven non-profit management from The Management Center of Washington, DC and has completed related courses with Interaction Associates of San Francisco and the Conflict Resolution Center of Santa Cruz. She has also completed coursework in clinical trials administration for pharmaceutical drug development. In her work leading MAPS’ psychedelic harm–reduction project, Valerie has prepared over 200 volunteers to provide peer–based psychedelic emergency services from Burning Man to Tel Aviv.

Brad earned his B.A. in Communication and Psychology from Stanford University in 2005 and his M.A. in Communication from the University of California, San Diego in 2009. His graduate work focused on the political, scientific, and cultural changes required to make illicit drugs into legitimate medicines. In 2009, he presented his work on the history of the distinction between the recreational and medical use of drugs at the Critical Legal Studies conference at the University of Leicester in the UK. He has also interned for the Drug Policy Alliance and has a longstanding interest in drug policy reform and activism. In addition to his work with MAPS, Brad is a freelance writer and editor of projects pertaining to psychopharmacology, drug policy, and psychedelic therapy. He is a firm believer in the importance of communication for sharing knowledge and building community, and is committed to helping people develop honest and responsible relationships with themselves, with each other, and with their pharmacological tools.

Shannon is a neophyte of life. She values curiosity, communication, and creating community. After majoring in Cultural Anthropology at UCSC, this life-long student is now training in Integral Counseling Psychology at the California Institute for Integral Studies (CIIS).  Her favorite activities include backpacking, Tango, Re-evaluation Counseling, and gardening. At MAPS Shannon is Receptionist, assisting the Deputy Director and managing the office environment.

Amy earned her BS in genetics and cell biology from Washington State University. She has worked in clinical development and research for the last 15 years in the fields of immunology, oncology and most recently in vaccine development. Amy has worked with MAPS as a volunteer since 2003 facilitating the development of the MDMA clinical program. She is currently working as Director of Clinical Research and is involved with creating the structure needed to support the growing needs of the clinical operations group and MAPS clinical research studies.

Ilsa earned a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Maryland. She helps MAPS and researchers design studies, gathers information on study drugs (as MDMA) through keeping abreast of the current literature and discussion with other researchers, creates and maintains documents related to some MAPS–supported studies, and helps support the MAPS psychedelic literature bibliography. She has written informational documents on psilocybin, LSD and MDMA. She is interested in using methods from behavioral science and neuroscience to learn how humans feel and think about themselves and each other.

Josh earned his BA in Philosophy and Religion from the New College of Florida in 2003. As a longtime believer in maybe-logic he has actively sought out and explored a multiplicity of consciousness expansion techniques, psychedelics notwithstanding. Like all MAPS Staffers, Josh's workload spans many different domains within the MAPS microcosm: From helping Rick to monitor and control MAPS funds (accounting), to administering the MAPS' website (webadmin), from managing most of the company's computer technology (IT), to data management (clinical research). And, if you have ever been to a MAPS fundraiser where food was served, you have probably sampled his experimental, cutting-edge cuisine as well (see DogStar Catering). Josh loves to read philosophy and science fiction; eat delicious, challenging food; create and listen to dark, glitchy music (hear it at auralox.com); write abstract, surrealist poetry; and think thought-at-its-limits. He will continue to seek out and enjoy both the chaotic depths and the ethereal heights of embodiment.

Linnae earned her BA in Biological Psychology from New College of Florida in May 2010 where she defended her thesis, which investigated the impact of sleep disturbance in the pathogenesis of depression in a sample of 360 students. During her undergraduate years, Linnae assisted data collection and analysis of various projects at University of South Florida’s Cardiovascular Psychophysiology Laboratory, MOTE Marine Mammal Aquarium Psychophysical Laboratory, East-West College of Natural Medicine, and the West Mamprusi Civic Union in Ghana, West Africa. Linnae served as New College’s Counseling & Wellness Center Student Representative and plans to return to graduate school to pursue a PhD in Clinical or Counseling Psychology.

Brian studied neuroscience, philosophy, and medical sociology at Cabrillo College and UC Santa Cruz. Before coming to MAPS, Brian was a Naturalist, outdoor educator, and certified Wilderness-EMT. From Asian therapeutics to Western clinical practices, he extensively studied medicinal and psychoactive plants and chemicals. Brian’s range of interests and experiences lend him well to relating to the diverse crowd of patrons and supporters interested in MAPS’ mission. Brian’s passion at MAPS is assisting individual supporters in identifying and cultivating their own capacity to give. Brian coordinates individual donations of assets and income, bequests, event production and sponsorship opportunities, volunteer recruitment and training, and various educational and outreach-oriented endeavors. Brian coordinates artist relations and artwork sales, in addition to managing MAPS online social media networks, the MAPS eBay Store, and the annual Holiday Auction.

Virginia joyfully brings a wealth of fundraising experience to MAPS. She has held management positions at Carmel Bach Festival, The Santa Cruz County Symphony, the Arts Council Silicon Valley, and The Global Fund for Women. Her firm Wright & Associates has provided strategic thinking, marketing, and fundraising services to arts organizations throughout the Monterey Bay and Silicon Valley regions, and she has facilitated community-based art and cultural plans for cities in Northern California and Nevada. She co-founded and directed The Soviet American Performing Arts Exchange and was active in the citizen diplomacy movement in the 1980s. She received her B.A. in International Relations from San Francisco State University, and her M.B.A. from Santa Clara University. For the first part of her life Virginia danced in Santa Cruz, New York, and Los Angeles.

Berra earned her Ph.D. in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2010, and utilizes her scientific training and experience in for-profit pharmaceutical research to help lead MAPS' clinical team to develop, design, and implement clinical psychedelic research in the U.S and beyond. She earned her B.S. in Biological Science from Stanford University, with an emphasis on the neurobiology of drugs. Prior to entering graduate school, Berra worked as a Research Associate with Geron Corporation screening for drugs that activate telomerase, and with Millennium Pharmaceuticals on Phase 1 clinical trials to treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Berra joined MAPS in order to work with an organization where profit wouldn't dictate the agenda of scientific research.