Thoryn Stephens, Founder
Thoryn founded ORO with the belief that plant-based medicine and machine learning are integral to the survival of our species. As a prominent business and web analytics professional, he has expertise in complex data problem solving, data architecture, consumer insights, recommendations and systems development. Named among the Top 100 Innovative Digital Leaders in the country, he has proven to be an undeniable “agent of change,” disrupting the status quo and challenging assumptions about the role of technology in building brands.
With 15 plus years of management and data analytics experience, he is responsible for the growth and strategic development of key brands within companies such as Unilever, American Apparel, Fox Networks (Fox Broadcasting, FX Networks, and Fox Sports) and Amgen. His documented skill in analyzing user behavior data produces actionable results across a wide variety of platforms and applications.
Thoryn has a demonstrated passion for human health and wellness, having earned a degree in molecular and cell biology. He has published in multiple esteemed scientific publications, and his work has contributed to cardiovascular and infectious disease drug development programs.
Dr. David Rabin, MD, PhD, Medical Advisor
Dr. David Rabin joined ORO to lead our Medical Advisory Board. Dr. Rabin joins ORO while also serving as the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Board of Medicine, a nonprofit focused on democratizing health and treatment information by organizing and securing data to optimize public health. Dr. Rabin, a board-certified psychiatrist and translational neuroscientist, built and led a team of physicians and scientists to spearhead the development of the world’s first evidence-based peer-reviewed clinical guidelines for the safe use of medical cannabis and other complementary and alternative medicines. The Board of Medicine uses these guidelines to train and certify healthcare providers and industry partners, as well as to provide quality control standards for natural and prescription medicines to support the community goals of high-quality clinical research and harm-reduction.
As the Chief Innovation Officer, Co-Founder, and Co-Inventor at Apollo Neuroscience, Inc., Dr. Rabin is developing Apollo Neuroscience’s IP portfolio and running clinical trials of the Apollo technology, the first scientifically-validated wearable system to improve focus, sleep, and access to meditative states by delivering gentle layered vibrations to the skin. In addition, Dr. Rabin has joined esteemed colleagues and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), to conduct the world’s single largest controlled human study of alternative psychedelic medicines for the treatment of PTSD.
Dr. Rabin received his M.D. in medicine and Ph.D. in neuroscience from Albany Medical College, Center for Neuropharmacology and Neuroscience. He trained in adult psychiatry with a distinction in research at the Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Dr. Sandra Dreisbach
Sandra is an Ethicist and Psychedelic Ethics specialist with a MA, Phd in Philosophy exploring Ethical Decision Making and Moral Psychology. She is an Ethics Advisor active in Psychedelic Integration, Therapy, Education and Advocacy as well as a Psychedelic facilitator. Sandra also teaches Bioethics at University of California, Santa Cruz for the Biomolecular Engineering and Philosophy Departments, has worked for many years in the tech industry primarily at Apple, and is a Reiki Master in two lineages. Sandra focuses on listening and uplifting the voices and values of the Psychedelic Community especially the disenfranchised with the heart space intention of compassion and love.
Dr. Joseph Barsuglia, Clinical Director
Dr. Barsuglia joined ORO as Clinical Director, inspired by the opportunity to connect consumers to the highest quality, most effective and individualized plant-based product solutions for overall wellness. Dr. Barsuglia is a psychologist and research scientist specializing in neuropsychology, integrative healthcare, aging and plant-based therapeutics. He has served as a research psychotherapist and scientific advisor for several clinical research and non-profit organizations at the forefront of advancing plant-based therapies for the treatment of addiction, traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder. He is a strong proponent for the advancement of ancient and plant-based medicines for the purposes of healing and spiritual awakening. His clinical experience covers the patient lifespan, in multiple contexts of care including academic medical centers, veterans hospitals, substance abuse treatment, and international wellness centers.
Dr. Barsuglia earned his Master’s degree and Ph.D. in clinical psychology with an emphasis in neuropsychology from the Fuller Graduate School of Psychology in Pasadena, California, where he also earned a Master’s degree in spiritual theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He received advanced clinical training in neuropsychology at the University of Southern California (USC), UCLA and the West Los Angeles Veterans Hospital. He completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the West Los Angeles Veterans Hospital in aging and behavioral neuroscience. His research is published in multiple peer-reviewed journals in the NIH database.
Dr. Shera Raisen
Dr. Raisen is a board-certified Family Practice physician who provides Western and Integrative medical care to the whole family. As a healer, Dr. Raisen believes in empowering her patients through personally tailored diagnostic and treatment plans with a focus on attaining optimal health and a sense of well-being in body, mind and spirit.
Dr. Raisen practices Integrative Medicine, combining Western medicine and complementary functional therapies. Her special interests are women’s health and preventative medicine. She uses nutrition, herbs and plant-based medicines, mind-body practices, bio-identical hormones and health assessment through specialized functional medicine tests. First studying herbal remedies in medical school, Dr. Raisen continues to incorporate plant-based alternatives in her practice. As increasing numbers of patients from all age demographics provided anecdotal evidence on cannabis, she became more passionate about the healing powers of phytocannabinoids.
Dr. Raisen earned her M.D. at Mount Sinai Medical School in New York City and completed a residency program in Family Practice in Los Angeles. She is a member of the American American Academy of Family Practice since 1995 and the International Society for Hormones since 2006.
