The Team
People Behind SIMCR
A multidisciplinary team of physicians, researchers, educators, and professionals committed to advancing responsible cannabinoid science.
SIMCR is a multidisciplinary team of physicians, scientists, educators, and clinical specialists. Each contributor is selected for direct expertise aligned with the institute's two pillars: SIMCR Academy and clinical research. Contributors are evaluated against the same institutional standard applied to SIMCR's scientific and educational work, including clinical seriousness, methodological rigor, and a commitment to patient-centered care under Swiss governance standards.
Leadership
Olivier Eldad Gershony
Founder & Director
Founder of the Swiss Institute for Medical Cannabis Research, Olivier Eldad Gershony leads the institute's strategic development, partnerships, and overall vision. His work focuses on building international collaborations that support rigorous research, education, and responsible clinical integration of cannabinoid science into healthcare systems. His leadership is anchored in SIMCR's patient-centered mission: improving patient outcomes through rigorous clinical science and structured physician education.
Dmitrii Bondarenko
Secretary, Treasurer & Data Systems Analyst
Dmitrii Bondarenko manages the institute's legal documentation, internal governance, and financial recordkeeping. He also designs and maintains SIMCR's data systems and research infrastructure, supporting clinical research operations and institutional compliance.
Scientific Leadership
Dr. Miri Halperin-Wernli
Founding Scientific Director
Dr. Halperin-Wernli sets the scientific direction of SIMCR and leads the design of its clinical research framework. Drawing on extensive experience in biopharmaceutical development and clinical science, she ensures the institute's protocols meet the standards required for rigorous, patient-centered medical research.
Dr. Aslı Kisim-Blatti
Founding Director of Oncology Research
Dr. Aslı Kisim-Blatti is a translational cancer biologist specializing in tumor microenvironments, cancer stem cell biology, and advanced non-animal research models including 3D tumor cultures and microphysiological systems. At SIMCR she designs oncology research initiatives investigating full-spectrum cannabinoid extracts within rigorous translational frameworks.
SIMCR Academy
Dr. Stefan Broselid
Scientific Educator - Endocannabinoid System Specialist
Dr. Stefan Broselid is a molecular pharmacologist specializing in GPCR signalling and endocannabinoid system physiology. Through SIMCR Academy he designs and delivers the structured educational modules that equip physicians and healthcare professionals with clinically applicable knowledge of the endocannabinoid system.
Karen Jaynes
Scientific Roundtable Member - Education
Karen Jaynes is an integrative health professional and educator with a Master's degree in Medical Cannabis Science & Therapeutics from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. She develops patient-centered case content and educational modules for SIMCR Academy training programs.
Research & Scientific Contributors
Yashi Patel
Honorary Research Associate - Pre-Clinical Research
Yashi Patel holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy and is completing a Master's degree in Neuroscience at the University of Freiburg. At SIMCR she delivers structured literature reviews, pre-clinical research assessments, and scientific documentation supporting the institute's clinical research pipeline.
Dr. Dinesh Thapa
Scientific Roundtable Member
Dr. Dinesh Thapa is a pharmacist and biomedical scientist specializing in cannabinoid pharmacology and ethnomedicine. His work explores the intersection between traditional cannabis knowledge and modern biomedical research.
Dr. Geoffrey Cutter
Scientific Roundtable Member
Dr. Geoffrey Cutter is a physician with extensive experience in emergency medicine, rural health practice, and integrative medicine. He provides clinical review of cannabinoid-based therapeutic applications and informs SIMCR's patient-centered medical practice standards.
Dr. Hanna Gul
Scientific Roundtable Member
Dr. Hanna Gul is a rheumatologist with experience in clinical research design, real-world evidence studies, and cannabinoid-based medicine. Her work focuses on translating scientific knowledge into clinically meaningful patient outcomes.
Technology & Data Infrastructure
Likhitha Vutukuri
AI & Technology Lead
Likhitha Vutukuri builds SIMCR's technological infrastructure, including data systems and research support tools. Her work delivers the reliable digital frameworks required for structured data collection, collaboration, and clinical research operations.
Development & Global Health
Gunjan Jain
Founding Member - Development & Health Finance
Gunjan Jain builds SIMCR's institutional development strategy, international partnerships, and fundraising programs. His background in pharmacy and global health informs the institute's long-term development and outreach work.
Technical Advisory Board
Peter Vermeul
Technical Advisor - Whole-Plant Extraction
Peter Vermeul is a specialist in whole-plant cannabis extraction and formulation science. At SIMCR he advises on extraction methodologies and the development of standardized, research-grade full-spectrum extracts used within clinical protocols.
Legal & Compliance
Daniel Haymann
Legal Advisor – Regulatory & Compliance
Daniel Haymann is a Swiss attorney specializing in corporate and commercial law with a focus on regulatory matters in the health and life sciences sectors. At MME Legal (Zurich) he heads the Cannabis Desk, advising on GMP/GDP standards and authorization procedures with Swiss authorities. As legal advisor to SIMCR, he supports the institute in navigating the Swiss regulatory landscape.
Outreach & Collaboration
Lucas Greven
Scientific Development Collaborator - Oncology
Lucas Greven is a PhD candidate in hematological cancer research at RWTH Aachen University. He partners with SIMCR on oncology research development, supporting the design and scientific framing of cannabinoid-related oncology studies.
Maximilian Balser
Strategic Outreach - Germany
Maximilian Balser supports outreach efforts in Germany by facilitating introductions to physicians, clinics, researchers, and organizations aligned with the institute's mission.