A Miami University faculty member, whose research focuses on the biosynthesis of a chemical found in psychedelic mushrooms, was named a senior member by the National Academy of Inventors.

Andrew Jones, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering, has 13 patents. His research focuses on the biosynthesis of psilocybin, a chemical found in the mushroom Psilocybe cubensis, and its use in treating addiction, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in humans, according to a Miami press release. 

His work was supported by $2.5 million grants from PsyBio Therapeutics Corp. in 2020 and 2021.

The honor recognizes Jones as “one of 95 of the country’s foremost emerging academic inventors,” according to the press release. 

The National Academy of Inventors, founded at the University of South Florida in 2010, is a nonprofit organization that claims 4,600 members.