Psychedelic Science: From Molecules to Therapeutics Mechanisms, Translation, and Clinical Applications

Argel Aguilar-Valles, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where he leads a research program investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. His work focuses on understanding how neural plasticity is regulated in health and disease, with particular emphasis on rapid-acting antidepressants, psychoplastogens, and classic serotonergic psychedelics. His laboratory integrates molecular biology, genetics, neuropharmacology, behavioral neuroscience, and systems-level approaches to elucidate the mechanisms through which these compounds induce long-lasting changes in brain function and behavior. Dr. Aguilar-Valles has published extensively in leading neuroscience and psychiatry journals and has received competitive funding from national and international agencies to support his research. His work has contributed to advancing the understanding of translational control, synaptic plasticity, and the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie novel therapeutic approaches for psychiatric disorders.

Leah Mayo, PhD, is the Parker Psychedelics Research Chair, Lead of Novel Therapeutics, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Calgary, as well as a member of the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. Her research investigates the neurobiological mechanisms underlying stress-related psychiatric disorders and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and other novel interventions. Dr. Mayo's interdisciplinary research program combines behavioral pharmacology, neuroimaging, and translational approaches to identify the neural circuits that mediate resilience and recovery from mental illness. As a leader in the rapidly evolving field of psychedelic neuroscience, she strives to develop safer and more effective treatments for mood and stress-related disorders. Through her research, mentorship, and leadership, Dr. Mayo continues to advance the translation of basic neuroscience discoveries into innovative therapeutic strategies for psychiatric illness.