Meet Our Team

Sisi is the Manager at Porta Sophia. She received a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where her research focused on better understanding the epigenetic and molecular mechanisms underlying depression and anxiety disorders. In her free time, she enjoys doing standup comedy, reading fiction, and international travels.

Shahin is a Data & Patent Analyst at Porta Sophia who focuses on third-party preissuance submissions, post-grant intervention analysis, and prior art services. She earned her doctorate in Biomedical Engineering with a designated emphasis in biotechnology from UC Davis – her research focusing on novel biopharmaceutical delivery systems. She is currently pursuing her J.D. at Berkeley Law with the goal of becoming a patent attorney. In her free time, she enjoys hiking along the coast, painting, playing guitar, and listening to punk music.

Juliet is a Data & Patent Analyst with Porta Sophia and focuses on prior art services and 3rd party submission efforts. She has an extensive background in neuropharmacology, received her M.Sc. in Neuroscience from McGill University, and previously worked as a research scientist in both academic and private sectors.  In her free time, Juliet can be found adventuring with her Bernese Mountain Dog, cycling and ice skating, and hunting for disco deep cuts.

Jeremy is a Data & Patent Analyst with Porta Sophia. He received a M.Sc. in Medicinal Chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University, where his research focused on the potential antidepressant effects of ayahuasca and DMT analogues. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, playing with his dog Oscar, and cycling.

Nastassja is a Data Curator for Porta Sophia and was a Data Curator Intern during summer 2024. She is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota double majoring in biochemistry and genetics with a minor in math. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, spending time with her bengal cat, and baking.

David is an intellectual property attorney with over 20 years of experience focused on patent prosecution and litigation in the chemical, life sciences, and healthcare fields. David has a BS in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Michigan, an MS and PhD in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin, and a JD from Stanford University. In addition to his legal practice and his work with Porta Sophia, David is an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin law school and sits on the board of directors and advisory boards for a number of entrepreneurial and health care organizations.

Tom has worked as a patent attorney for 12 years and is a senior shareholder at Casimir Jones, a life science-focused intellectual property law firm in Madison, Wisconsin. Tom has a Ph.D. in biomolecular chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Tom also was a postdoctoral scientist in the Department of Plant Pathology and in the Department of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, and in the Department of Molecular Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital. His practice focuses on drafting and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications and developing intellectual property portfolios. He regularly assists and advises clients in matters of post-issuance proceedings, due diligence review, licensing, patentability, freedom to operate, invalidity, and enforceability. He also counsels clients in technology commercialization and in other areas of intellectual property, including trademarks, trade dress, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Alex is a software developer in the Madison area. He has been a professional developer since 2008 working on a variety of platforms and technologies. His current focus is on web and cloud application development.

Cate is a UX designer and front-end developer based in Madison, WI. She enjoys crafting solutions that feel effortless and intuitive and prioritizes delivering value to the user early and often. Her curiosity and love of learning means she's always ready for something new. In her free time, you can find her hanging out with her Westie Gizmo, solving crossword puzzles, or with her nose stuck in a book.

Stephanie is the Director for Porta Sophia, responsible for developing and evolving the vision, mission, and strategies in alignment with organizational goals and objectives. In addition, Stephanie is responsible for maintaining strong, cooperative relationships and communication channels across the Porta Sophia team and stakeholders. Learn more about Stephanie here

Karen oversees Porta Sophia's media relations. A former reporter and producer, she appreciates the power of solid, skilled storytelling to educate and inspire, while also understanding the practicalities of newsroom workflows and changing news cycles. Karen holds a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in Classics and political science from Gustavus Adolphus College.

Tura builds upon her background in strategic planning and business development in leading the cultivation and management of strategic partnerships for Porta Sophia. Tura engages directly in fostering key relationships with research collaborators, donors, and external partners to support Porta Sophia's strategic initiatives.

Tura has bachelor’s and master's degrees in International Economic and Commercial Relations and Scandinavian Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and is an LEED Accredited Professional. She also serves on advisory boards for Nikean Foundation, Synthesis Institute, and the Global Initiative for Psychedelic Science Economics at UCSF.