OPI Team
Our team is the cornerstone of our mission to elevate psychedelic therapy through evidence-based education.
Each member brings a unique perspective of expertise, clinical wisdom, and a deep-rooted passion for the therapeutic possibilities of psychedelics. Our instructors are not only leaders in their fields, but also dedicated advocates for the responsible use of psychedelic therapies. Our diverse experiences and shared enthusiasm ensure that we deliver unparalleled educational programs designed to empower and inform.
Zach Halpern, M.D.
Program Director
Lead Educator
Following his graduation from medical school in 2021, Zach relocated to Oregon, drawn by the state's legalization of psilocybin therapy. Shortly after, leveraging his background in medicine and education, he founded the Oregon Psychedelic Institute.
Zach's leadership focuses on preparing clinicians and facilitators to navigate the multidisciplinary landscape of psychedelic therapy with confidence and scientifically grounded reasoning. Through his advocacy and commitment to rigorous education, Zach is dedicated to shaping a future where the transformative potential of psychedelics is both legitimized and widely accessible.
Zach’s passion for science, mental health, education, and psychedelic therapy is the culmination of his academic and professional journey, including his studies and research at UCLA, medical training at St. George’s University of Medicine, participation in Zach Leary's Psychedelic Studies Intensive, and active public advocacy in Joseph, OR.
Zach believes in a future where psychedelic therapies are a widely accessible form of personal growth, and that this future hinges on top-tier education to inform best practices.
Outside of work, Zach enjoys practicing piano, backpacking in alpine landscapes, reading good books, and playing bullet chess.
Matthew X. Lowe, Ph.D.
Co-Founder
Scientific Advisor
Lead Educator
Dr. Matthew X. Lowe is a trained research scientist and experienced advisor who has spent over 15 years researching human brain function and behavior across a range of topics in cognition, perception, mental health, psychedelics, and cannabis use. After receiving his doctorate in psychology and cognitive neuroscience at the University of Toronto, Matthew worked as a research scientist at Stanford, MIT, and Harvard. He is a passionate advocate for evidence-based research and education on health outcomes related to the use of plant-based and other natural medicines.
Dr. Lowe is currently the Director of Research for Realm of Caring, a 501(c)(3) non-profit cannabis research organization which seeks to facilitate and encourage the mainstream acceptance of transformative, plant-powered therapies to benefit individuals and families and serve healthcare providers as well as the hemp and cannabis industries. He is also the Executive Director & Chief Scientific Officer for Realm of Caring's fiscally sponsored partner, Unlimited Sciences, a psychedelics research non-profit using data-driven methods to inform public perception, education, policy, and practices for psychedelics use.
He is currently a Principal Investigator of NIH/NIDA funded research on cannabis health outcomes and several IRB-approved studies on psychedelics and cannabis, and his work has been featured in Forbes, Vice, Yahoo!, Web MD, Business Insider, The Denver Post, High Times, DoubleBlind, Benzinga, and dozens of other media outlets.
Sibin Stephen, Pharm.D.
Lead Educator
Dr. Sibin Stephen is a clinically-trained pharmacist and psychedelic scholar based in Reno, NV. After earning his Pharm.D. cum laude from Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy in 2016, he completed a Teaching & Learning Certificate program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science. This program focused on clinical competence and educational theories for health science programs.
Dr. Stephen has over eight years of experience in neuropharmacology. He has worked as a scientific expert and medical consultant for biotechnology companies such as Sanofi Genzyme, Zogenix, and Sage Therapeutics. Additionally, he has served as a medical reviewer for Third Wave, a global leader in psychedelic education, training, and community.
Motivated by findings from a Johns Hopkins study on psilocybin's effects on depression and anxiety in cancer patients, Dr. Stephen pursued a certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). This program covered a broad range of topics including the pharmacology of psychedelics, research design, therapist competencies, the history of psychoactive plants, and cultural competencies for diverse client bases. The program is recognized by the Oregon Health Authority and authorized by the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission.
Jeff Johnson, LCSW, M.Div.
Clinical Advisor, Instructor
Jeff Johnson, LCSW, M.Div., is a mental health provider living in Portland, Oregon. He has previously lived and worked in South Africa, operating Themba International, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on micro-enterprise ventures with Zimbabwean refugees. Prior to pursuing a career in mental health, he studied religion and environmental ethics at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he focused on the agrarian ethics of Wendell Berry. He later received his MSW from Portland State University, and has practiced in Portland since 2021.
Jeff’s interest in psychedelic medicine grew from his work in end-of-life care, where he spent several years working in hospice care as a medical social worker. After researching Roland Griffiths’ studies at Johns Hopkins University on the efficacy of psilocybin for treating anxiety and depression in patients with a terminal diagnosis, Jeff became convinced of the transformative power of psychedelics for those living with a life-limiting illness.
Jeff is thrilled to join the OPI instructors as a proud graduate of OPI’s first cohort. Outside the classroom, he enjoys tennis, hiking Coyote Wall, and enjoying a book at any number of stellar Portland cafes.