Groundbreaking research into psychedelics’ potential to treat depression, substance use disorder, and end-of-life distress will receive a major boost through a new professorship at UW–Madison. Made possible by alumna Thora Vervoren ’53, the position strengthens the university’s leadership in psychedelic science and is the first pharmacy professorship in the nation dedicated exclusively to the field. UW–Madison pharmacy professor Paul Hutson will serve as the inaugural Thora M. Vervoren Professor for Research in Psychoactive Substances.
“This professorship opens up a lot of great opportunities,” says Hutson. “It will allow us to buy equipment that we need, to bring in speakers, to fund scholarships for graduate students, and to provide bridge funding for clinical trials.”