David Baszucki and Jan Ellison Baszucki launched Metabolic Mind, an initiative of Baszucki Group, to share information and resources about the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry.
You can learn more about David and Jan and the research they are funding on Baszucki Group’s website.
Bret Scher, MD
Medical Director, Baszucki Group & Host of Metabolic Mind Podcast
Bret is the host of the Metabolic Mind YouTube channel and podcast. He is a board-certified cardiologist, lipidologist, and leading expert in therapeutic uses of metabolic therapies, including ketogenic diets. Prior to joining Baszucki Group, he was the medical director at DietDoctor.com, an online platform promoting improving metabolic health through low carb nutrition. Bret has spent most of his 20-year career as a preventive cardiologist, helping people improve their metabolic health and preventing heart disease using low-carb nutrition and lifestyle interventions. His passion for educating the public about the benefits of metabolic therapies grew from his experience with the prevailing medical teaching, which frequently misrepresents nutrition science and undervalues metabolic health. Bret received a BS in biology from Stanford University and an MD from The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
Hannah Warren
Hannah writes and advocates for increased awareness of the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry. In July 2021, she implemented ketogenic therapy and ultimately put her bipolar 1 disorder into complete remission. She now devotes her career to disseminating the science of metabolic therapies and working to make them a first-line treatment option. Previously, Hannah served as marketing and development director at Serenity Hospice and Home, a nonprofit serving terminally ill patients and their loved ones. She also founded Jhoole, an eco-fashion social enterprise that employs women in India. Hannah has an MA in Fashion Entrepreneurship from London College of Fashion and a BA in South Asian studies and linguistics from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.
Rachael Xiong
Senior Program Associate
Rachael manages Metabolic Mind’s digital presence and communications. Prior to joining Baszucki Group, she worked at wikiHow, a mission-driven internet company, where she led expert relations, developed site features, and managed digital social content. Beyond her professional interests, Rachael has a heart for giving back to her community. She has a particular passion for improving access to healthcare and education. During college, Rachael volunteered in free clinic settings to ensure uninsured patients receive care. Additionally, she has led programs for Hmong youth and mentored high school students from underrepresented communities to promote the pursuit of higher education. Rachael received a BA in human biology from Stanford University.
Gabe Brown
Director of Digital Strategy
Gabe leads digital strategy at Baszucki Group, bringing over 15 years of expertise in Web User Experience (UX) and audience engagement. Known for his user-centric approach, Gabe crafts digital experiences that connect with diverse audiences and drive impactful results. Previously, Gabe served as Head of UX at an enterprise SaaS company, where he developed strategies to enhance user engagement, boost conversion rates, and improve retention. He also played a pivotal role in managing digital platforms for The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco during a critical period, helping the public easily access vital information to make informed financial decisions.
Colby Zintl
Colby joined the Baszucki Group in September as the Director of Strategic Communications. She brings more than 20 years experience to the role, as well as a deep passion for building movements for challenger brands. Previously Colby served as Chief Marketing Officer at Common Sense Media, where she spearheaded research, education and advocacy that ultimately reshaped the narrative on social media’s impact on kids’ mental health. Colby also led communications in political movement-building with Abundance Network, which is organizing a new generation of civic leaders to build a 21st century government. A native New Yorker and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Colby now resides in San Francisco.
Kirk Nylen, PhD
Managing Director, Neuroscience
Kirk leads Baszucki Group’s neuroscience team. He brings extensive experience in health and research, most recently serving as the deputy scientific director and vice president of research and informatics at the Ontario Brain Institute, where he led the Institute’s approach to collaborative research networks, informatics and analytics, and knowledge translation. He previously wrote healthcare strategy and business plans for Ontario’s provincial cancer agency. Kirk is a member of the Milken Institute’s LeadersLink program and a Fellow of the European Institute for Innovation and Technology. He has authored dozens of academic and policy publications and serves as an adjunct professor and lecturer at the University of Toronto. Kirk holds an MSc and Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and a BA in psychology from the University of Saskatchewan.
Julie Milder, PhD
Director, Neuroscience
Julie leads Baszucki Group’s clinical trial partnerships and other key neuroscience initiatives. Previously, Julie was associate director at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, where she led the US Medical Affairs Training and Excellence team to work collaboratively across multiple focus areas, including epilepsy/movement disorders, sleep, hematology, and oncology. Prior to that, she served as the first scientist on staff for CURE Epilepsy, the largest non-governmental funder of epilepsy research. She initiated CURE Epilepsy’s first team science initiative, which sought to bring researchers and clinicians together to work toward a common goal of finding a new treatment for infantile spasms, a devastating epilepsy of infancy. Julie received a PhD in neuroscience from the University of Colorado, Denver and a BA in biology/neuroscience from Washington University in St. Louis.
Cristina Nigro, PhD
Program Officer, Neuroscience
Cristina manages capacity-building projects and strategies at Baszucki Group that promote the adoption of metabolic approaches in mental health. She brings expertise in biomedical and public health policy analysis, strategic planning, program evaluation, operations, and communications. Most recently, Cristina served as Chief of Staff to the Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the NIH. Prior to that, she worked at NINDS as a legislative liaison and policy analyst. Cristina earned a PhD in the History of Health Sciences from the University of California, San Francisco, where she studied the history of neurophysiology. She also holds an MS in Neurosciences from the University of California, San Diego, and a BA in the Biological Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania.
Gwenaelle Thomas, PhD
Program Officer, Neuroscience
Gwenaëlle supports Baszucki Group’s metabolic psychiatry evidence-building and science advocacy. With over a decade of experience in neuropsychopharmacology, she specializes in understanding how medications affect brain function and behavior. Previously, Gwenaëlle served as Scientific Project Manager at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, managing private, philanthropic, and NIH-funded research portfolios on psychiatric and neurological disorders. She oversaw the African Ancestry Neuroscience Research Initiative and implemented community-based participatory research in Baltimore City. Gwenaëlle earned her Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Duke University, School of Medicine and dual B.S. degrees in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Matt Bernstein, MD
Dr. Matt Bernstein is chief medical officer at Ellenhorn, where he has also served as a psychiatrist since 2010. He received his MD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and trained at Harvard’s MGH-McLean Psychiatry residency-training program, where he served as chief resident. Dr. Bernstein remained at McLean after residency as a psychiatrist-in-charge, later serving as assistant medical director of the Schizophrenia and Bipolar Inpatient Program.
Lori Calabrese, MD
Dr. Lori Calabrese is a psychiatrist in Connecticut, expert faculty for ASKP3, and an expert in metabolic psychiatry using food as medicine to treat psychiatric conditions. Dr. Calabrese is a graduate of The John Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed her residency training through Harvard Medical School at Massachusetts General Hospital. She has served as clinical faculty at Harvard Medical School and Yale School of Medicine.
Georgia Ede, MD
Dr. Georgia Ede is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist specializing in nutritional and metabolic psychiatry. She has used ketogenic diets to help her patients for over two decades. She created the first CME course training physicians in the use of ketogenic therapy as mental illness treatment. She educates the public about nutrition science, metabolism, and mental health through her international speaking engagements, website, and her first book: Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind.
Nicole Laurent, LMHC
Nicole Laurent is a licensed mental health counselor and founder of mentalhealthketo.com. She delivers ketogenic metabolic therapy to her clients with mood disorders, has undertaken post-graduate training in nutrition and integrative health, and has engaged with the public through her blog, podcast appearances, and social media. She has developed the first course training non-prescribers to support their patients in using ketogenic therapy for mental disorders.
Beth Zupec-Kania, RDN, CD
Beth Zupec-Kania is a registered dietitian nutritionist, consultant with the Charlie Foundation, and a leading expert in the use of therapeutic ketogenic diets in the treatment of epilepsy and other neurological and psychiatric conditions. She designed KetoDietCalculator, a free resource used by nutritionists and the public, has written educational guides, created a training module to educate nutritionists and psychiatrists, and is a co-author on many scientific papers.
