Robert’s work at Usona focuses on the optimization of psilocybin synthesis in support of our upcoming clinical trials, designing and executing SAR (structure-activity relationship) studies to explore relationships between the molecular structure of psilocybin and its biological effects, as well as facilitating communications across pre-clinical, clinical, and regulatory channels consistent with the requirements of a Schedule I DEA license.
Robert has collaborated on projects with industry and academic researchers in support of NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke as part of the Medicinal Chemistry for Neuro-therapeutics Program (NINDA MCNP), is an editorial member for the American Chemical Society (ACS) Medicinal Chemistry Letters academic journal, and is a bi-monthly contributor to the Organic Process Research and Development (OPRD) Highlight publications. Robert has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers in leading scientific journals.
Robert is a recipient of the Pfizer Global Research and Development Research Fellowship, the McNair Scholar Award, and has over thirty patents and publications in high caliber peer-reviewed journals. He received his PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry at North Dakota University, and has lectured at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences in Freetown, Sierra Leone. In his free time, Robert enjoys table tennis (ping pong), biking, reading, and writing.