Scientific Advisory Board
Adam Bisaga, M.D.
Dr. Adam Bisaga is a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and a Research Scientist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Dr. Bisaga’s research, continuously funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse since 1999, focuses on developing new medication strategies for substance use disorders, particularly opioid use disorder. He co-directs the SAMHSA-funded Providers’ Clinical Support System, aiming to improve opioid use disorder treatment education and implementation. His expertise is recognized globally, he is a member of UN Office of Drugs and Crime Expert Panel and is a WHO consultant, actively collaborating with United Nations agencies to train healthcare providers and develop international treatment guidelines and programs. He has authored over 100 papers and serves on the editorial board of the leading addiction specialty journal. Additionally, Dr. Bisaga is at the forefront of integrating technology in addiction healthcare as the founding physician and a medical director of a multi-state telehealth company specializing in the treatment of opioid use disorder. With a medical degree from Jagiellonian University in Poland, he completed his psychiatric residency at North Shore University Hospital and addiction psychiatry fellowship at Columbia University.
Elliot Ehrich, M.D.
Elliot Ehrich, a pharmaceutical executive with over 25 years of experience, has dedicated his career to developing innovative treatments for unmet medical needs. During his 18-year tenure at Alkermes, Inc. as Executive VP of R&D and Chief Medical Officer, Elliot transformed the company’s focus from drug delivery to small molecule therapeutics. This shift resulted in FDA-approved medicines for Opioid and Alcohol dependence (Vivitrol®), schizophrenia, substance dependence, and multiple sclerosis. Throughout his career, Elliot has contributed to the successful registration of eight medicines across various therapeutic areas. At LifeMine, he made significant contributions, including conceptualizing the CNi program and advancing LIFE-001. Previously, he served as president at Skyhawk Therapeutics and as a venture partner at 5AM Ventures. Elliot’s career began at Merck Research Labs, where he gained expertise in clinical pharmacology and pulmonary-immunology development. He holds a B.A. from Princeton University and an M.D. from Columbia University. His postgraduate training includes a residency at Stanford University and fellowships in immunology, rheumatology, and T cell biology. Dr. Ehrich has authored more than 50 publications and is a named inventor on multiple patents.
Frank Vocci, Ph.D.
Dr. Frank Vocci is a Senior Research Scientist at the Friends Research Institute. A distinguished expert in addiction pharmacology, he has made significant contributions to the field throughout his career. After completing a post-doctoral fellowship at the Medical College of Virginia, he spent 11 years at the FDA, eventually becoming Chief of the Drug Abuse Staff. In 1989, he joined the National Institute on Drug Abuse, where he led the Division of Pharmacotherapies and Medical Consequences of Drug Abuse from 1997 onwards. Dr. Vocci’s work has been instrumental in the development and approval of several addiction medications. He has published extensively on neuropharmacology and substance abuse treatment, receiving numerous awards for his contributions, including a Meritorious Executive award from President Bush in 2001. He is a Past-President and Fellow of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence. Currently, Dr. Vocci continues his research in substance use disorder treatments, focusing on long-acting medications, digital therapeutics, and telehealth applications. He serves as a Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on various projects on new treatment options for opioid use disorder and co-edits the Journal of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Vocci has authored over 125 papers on Neuropharmacology and substance use disorders.
Marc Fishman, M.D.
Dr. Fishman is an Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, specializing in Addiction. As the Medical Director of Maryland Treatment Centers, he oversees a comprehensive behavioral healthcare organization that provides both residential and outpatient services for adolescents and adults struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Recognized nationally for his expertise in adolescent addiction treatment and program development, Dr. Fishman has dedicated his academic research to exploring innovative care models and evaluating treatment outcomes for young people battling addictions. His work has placed particular emphasis on addressing opioid use disorder among youth. He has authored over 100 peer reviewed publications.