Directors

FOUNDER & CEO

Simon is a medical doctor/psychiatrist, research psychologist with PhD in ayahuasca and mental health, and a student of curanderismo. He follows a collaborative approach that combines tradition with science, and is undergoing an apprenticeship under Don Rono.

Dr Simon Ruffell

COO

WaiFung is a clinical psychologist specialising in addiction, neurodevelopment, trauma, and the use of psychedelics in traditional settings, currently training in Shipibo curanderismo. He is also a skilled musician who enjoys honing sound-healing techniques.

Dr WaiFung Tsang

Indigenous Advisory Board

  • Don Rono Lopez

    Don Rono Lopez

    SHIPIBO CURANDERO LEAD

    Don Rono was raised in a family of curanderos & comes from a long lineage of Shipibo plant doctors. In his practice, his sense of humour & gentle spirit allows those around him to feel comfortable in his presence, creating an optimal environment for healing & connecting.

  • Indigenous Issues Advisor

    Jem Stone

    INDIGENOUS ISSUES ADVISOR

    Jem is a First Nations Woman with mixed heritage, a psychedelic-holistic practitioner and cultural educator passionately integrating original knowledge into education and health. Amongst other projects, she co-founded IPAT (Indigenous Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies).

  • Don Wilder Mahua

    SHIPIBO CURANDERO

    Wilder Etman Rojas Mahua is a traditional healer from the Shipibo community of Paoyhan on the Ucayali River. He was initiated into ayahuasca shamanism from the age of 12, learning the path of curanderismo from his grandparents and master plants like Noya Rao.

  • Doña Angela Lopez

    SHIPIBO CURANDERA

    Doña Angela is a Shipibo curandera at the Ayahuasca Foundation. With extensive plant dieta experience and a nurturing presence, she is also a talented artist creating traditional Shipibo clothing, jewelry, and crafts. Her decades of experience in plant medicine and unique singing style reflect her rich familial tradition.

Team Members

  • Dr Esme Dark

    SOMATIC THERAPY LEAD

    After working for many years as a senior clinical psychologist in refugee mental health in Australia, Thailand and the UK, Esme is now a core therapist in some of the biggest psychedelic trials in Australia.

  • Prof Jo Neill

    SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR

    Jo is a Professor of Psychopharmacology at the University of Manchester, Chair of the Medical Psychedelics Working Group at Drug Science and a campaigner for drug policy reform and developing psychedelic medicines.

  • Dr. Vanessa Milagro Leon-Sulca

    HOLISTIC MEDICINE & CULTURAL ADVISOR

    Originally from Peru and of Andean Quechua lineage, Vanessa is a multifaceted medical doctor and psychotherapist with expertise in Ayurvedic traditional medicine, ayahuasca and psychedelic therapies, accountancy and political science.

  • Dr Jenni Hyysalo

    INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE LEAD

    Jenni is a medical doctor with a PhD working in integrative medicine combining mind and body. She specialises in psychedelics, breathwork and women’s holistic health.

  • James Bunn

    LEGAL ADVISOR

    James is a legal and regulatory consultant specialising in helping start ups working in psychedelic health. He is the Founder of Psilonautica and Head of Operations for the charity Drug Science.

  • Caspar Montgomery

    CONTENT & RESEARCH ASSISTANT

    Trained in philosophy and cognitive science, Caspar works on Onaya Science’s ayahuasca research in Peru, and manages much of our digital communications, course content and the In & Through podcast.

  • Ros Stone

    OUTREACH STRATEGIST

    Rosalind (Ros) Stone is a publicity strategist with 8+ years’ specialized experience at the intersection of psychedelic research and drug policy reform.

  • Eriko Yoshino

    GRAPHIC DESIGNER

    Born and raised in Yokohama, Eriko worked internationally. She has honed her skills in digital, print, and web design, video editing, packaging, and branding. Known for her elegant, classy style, she's currently directing design projects for Onaya.