Our Team

Prof Jerome Sarris

Co-Director

Prof Sarris has a passion for the research and clinical use of psychoactive plant medicines, having nearly 30 years experience in the field. Jerome’s personal mission is to advance rigorous scientific research on psychoactive plant medicines and compounds to enhance global mental health. He moved from prior clinical practice to academic work, completing a doctorate at The University of Queensland, before postdoctoral training at Melbourne University, Department of Psychiatry; The Centre for Human Psychopharmacology; and The Depression Clinical & Research Program at Harvard Medical School (MGH). Jerome has a specialised expertise in conducting double-blind placebo-controlled trials (having over 235 publications) and was awarded the accolade of being one of Australia’s Top 250 researchers (‘The Australian’ 2023 Research Awards) and the field leader within Natural Medicines & Medicinal Plants within the Health and Medical Research domain. Aside from research and academia, he has a deep affinity for plants and nature (including being a bonsai enthusiast), enjoys staying active, cooking, and playing his guitars and singing when he gets time.

A/Prof Daniel Perkins

Co-Director

A/Prof Perkins is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Centre for Mental Health at Swinburne University, and a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne. Prior to joining Psychae Daniel was the Director of the Office of Medicinal Cannabis in the Victorian Department of Health, responsible for drug development, research and access initiatives. At the University of Melbourne he co-founded the Medicinal Psychedelics Research Network and has led several ayahuasca studies including the world’s largest ever study of almost 10,000 ayahuasca drinkers in 50 countries. He is presently an investigator on several clinical studies of psychedelic compounds including an Australian government (MRFF) funded RCT investigating the use of a DMT based drug for depression and alcohol use disorder. Daniel has expertise relating to the mental health effects of psychedelics, as well as drug regulation, policy, and drug development, and has led a wide range of research and policy work involving partnerships with universities, NGOs, business and all levels of government. He is also a registered psychotherapist.

Dr Simon Ruffel

Psychiatrist

Simon studied medicine before specialising in psychiatry. He completed his core psychiatric training at The Maudsley Hospital in London and worked at King’s College London as a Senior Research Associate investigating the use of psilocybin for treatment resistant depression. Since 2016 he has conducted research into the traditional psychedelic brew ayahuasca and co-founded the not-for-profit research organisation Onaya Science based in Iquitos, Peru. Simon completed his PhD entitled Amazonian Ayahuasca and Mental Health Outcomes at Goldsmiths, University of London. He now works for the Psychae Institute and the University of Melbourne as Senior Research Fellow and Chief Medical Officer, running randomised controlled trials investigating the potential therapeutic application of botanical ayahuasca analogues as well as acting as Chief Medical Officer for Heroic Hearts UK, a charity supporting veterans with psychedelic plant medicine. In his spare time Simon volunteers for the charity Psycare, which offers support to individuals undergoing challenging drug experiences at music festivals.