Programme

Tommaso Barba is a researcher at the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, one of the most influential psychopharmacologists and a key figure in research on the use of psychoactive substances in psychiatry. His work focuses on the study of psychedelic substances, exploring their potential in treating mental health disorders and redefining the paradigms of modern psychiatry. Tommaso has co-authored more than ten scientific publications in high-impact journals, focusing on the efficacy of psychedelics compared to traditional antidepressants in treating depression.

Currently, Tommaso coordinates the largest human neuroimaging study on 5-MeO-DMT, the most potent known psychedelic substance. Thanks to his research and dedication to science communication, Tommaso has received prestigious awards, such as the British Journal of Psychiatry Award for his study "Effects of psilocybin versus escitalopram on rumination and thought suppression in depression."

Josjan Zijlmans received his PhD in child psychiatry with EEG and fMRI neuroimaging studies on the neural correlates of antisocial behavior in young adults. He currently works as an assistant professor at the Amsterdam University Medical Center where he divides his time between research into the effects and applicability of psychedelic substances, and the mental health of children in a large clinical cohort of the DREAMS consortium.

At the department of child psychiatry, he focuses on the development of MDMA-assisted therapy for adolescents with PTSD. In addition, he works on describing and understanding psychedelic experiences in a rational manner. He also coordinates an Honours Program Course on the history, neuroscience, and therapeutic potential of psychedelics.

The Agency for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products is a legal entity with public authorities. It deals with matters related to medication, medical products and homeopathic medication, as well as veterinary medication, in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements of the Republic of Croatia.

It was founded on October 1st, 2003, as a legal successor of the Croatian Institute for Medication Control and Croatian Institute for Immunobiological Preparations, but with a much wider area of operations. The founder of the Agency is the Republic of Croatia, and the lawfulness of the Agency’s activity is under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.

Simeon Schnapper’s career spans over 30 years in the fields of research, philanthropy, advocacy, policy, criminal justice reform, and the science of psychedelics. Through his work, he consults a wide range of organizations, including non-profits, psychedelic and impact startups, family offices, heads of state, royalty, and several newly formed governments.

He co-founded JLS Fund, a groundbreaking VC in this field, and spearheaded the world's inaugural Psychedelic Investment Summit at the start of the decade. Simeon's companies have been recipients of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awards and he is an Aspen Institute Fellow. He resides between Manhattan, Montenegro, and West and Central Africa.

Prof. Dr. Maja T. Izquierdo is an architect and a psychologist engaged in academic work. She spent her early twenties living in the Amazon with the Ashaninka tribe and learning from them about cosmology and the significance of ancestors and nature, with a particular emphasis on entheogenic plants used in spiritual ascension and healing. She graduated architecture in Belgrade, where she conducted research on the amazonian flora as part of her master studies in biotechnology. Her psychology studies she completed in Spain, where she also obtained her master’s degree and doctorate in architecture.

She was part of a research team at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, where she studied Amazonian anthropology, and later enrolled in clinical psychology in Belgrade, followed by transpersonal psychology in Barcelona. Today, Maja lives and works between Serbia and Peru and holds the position of a full-time professor at the Faculty of Architecture at Union University - Nikola Tesla, where she continues to combine her rich multicultural heritage with her academic interests.

Dr. Sebastian Weidenbach is a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy with extensive experience in systemic and depth-psychological approaches, trained and residing in Switzerland. He has further specialized in the therapeutic use of psychedelics, integrating this expertise into his practice. His approach also includes body-oriented methods, mindfulness techniques, and research into human consciousness. Recently, he has focused on working with individuals with neurological differences, further enhancing his professional competencies.

Dr. Weidenbach believes that effective therapy is grounded in deep self-understanding and emphasizes the importance of authenticity, attentiveness, and respect in his work with clients. His practice supports the development of personal growth and self-awareness within the broader context of interconnectedness and unity.

Dr. Karsten Prause is a specialist in psychiatry, psychotherapy and psychosomatics with extensive experience in Trauma therapy (EMDR), psychodynamic Therapy and katathym imaginative Psychotherapy (KIP) founded by Hanscarl Leuner, the former representative of the psycholytic psychotherapy in Germany in the 70s. He is practicing and residing in Switzerland. He has further specialized in the therapeutic use of psychedelics, which is in Switzerland an allowed therapeutic approach for last-line therapy. His approach includes body-oriented methods and research into human consciousness focusing on mindful silence. Karsten Prause believes that an effective humanistic therapeutic approach is based on a deep motivation for compassionate self-exploration as a constant process on either side: client and therapist. “A tree, that wants to reach sky and heaven must root deep in the earthly ground.”

Graduated in European politics and public affairs, Théo Giubilei is a mental health advocate based in Brussels. Convinced by the potential of psychedelics for mental wellbeing, he founded to PsychedeliCare European Citizens' Initiative. He has been coordinating the project since 2022, which now counts citizens from all over Europe and dozens of associations, sharing the same will for the European Union to recognise and act in favour of psychedelic-assisted therapies.