Awakn Life Sciences Corp. announced that Dr. Arun Dhandayudham is joining Awakn as its Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Ben Sessa is stepping back from his role as CMO to become Awakn's Head of Psychedelic Medicine, allowing him to continue his work in research, academic and training activities, as well as a greater focus on the day-to-day treatment of his clients as the Lead Physiatrist for Awakn Clinics Bristol. Dr. Dhandayudham brings a wealth of clinical and leadership experience to Awakn. Dr. Dhandayudham has been a Consultant in Addictions Psychiatry since 2005, having trained in Oxford and Cambridge. He currently works as Executive Medical Director of WDP, a large third sector organisation that provides drug and alcohol support and treatment services across the UK, having also previously held the position of joint CEO. He was previously Clinical Director of the NHS Addictions services across Bedfordshire
and Northamptonshire as well as Clinical Lead within Crime Reduction Initiative (CRI). Dr. Dhandayudham has extensive experience in setting up community drug and alcohol services, prison services and dual diagnosis services. He also has an interest in behavioral addictions, PTSD, and chronic arousal states such as pain and anxiety. Previous roles include being part of the Royal College of Psychiatry Addictions Faculty, serving as Chair of the Addictions Faculty Patients and Carers group amongst other positions.