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Education

2020-2025

Ph.D. - 3.95 GPA

Human Development & Social Policy

University of Utah

Dissertation research examined psychedelic therapy facilitation practices in naturalistic settings, drawing on interdisciplinary training in trauma, positive psychology, and human development, and focused on how facilitator approaches and contextual factors may support psychological well-being, integration, and optimal human development.

2009-2011

Master's of Science - 3.81 GPA

Human Development & Social Policy

University of Utah

Evaluated a community-based program designed to promote the economic self-sufficiency of women with refugee status through qualitative interviews with program participants and key stakeholders. Findings emphasized the importance of maintaining a ground-up, assets-based approach to service delivery that centers community strengths, agency, and lived experience.

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Honors & Awards

  • Civically Engaged Student of the Year, Lowell Bennion Community Engagement Center, University of Utah

road trips 6 and 7 of 2010 025.JPG

2003-2006

Bachelor's of Science - 3.78 GPA

International Relations

University of Utah

Graduated with the Service Learning Scholar distinction, completing over 400 hours of community service. Held multiple student leadership roles, including Public Relations Chair for the Lowell Bennion Community Engagement Center, where I supported and coordinated campus-wide initiatives. Also served as Membership Chair for the Mortar Board Honors Society and Service Chair for the Golden Key International Honour Society.

 

Honors & Awards

  • Service Learning Scholarship

  • Founders Day Scholarship

  • Pepsi Award Scholarship

  • Humanitarian of the Year Award, Salt Lake Community College (2003)

Experience

Co-Founder of IPATH (2023-current)

I helped design and implement this global assessment tool for people using psychedelics recreationally, spiritually, or medicinally, with the aim of improving self-knowledge and understanding.  IPATH will be launched in the spring of 2024.

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Chief Impact Officer at Pneuma Science (2021-current)

I oversee a team of researcher assistants with Pneuma Science which is an international research center dedicated to advancing medical, spiritual, and cultural knowledge of psychedelics and indigenous plant medicines, particularly in real-world settings. I have presented research at conferences and worked on various manuscripts, including a recently published article in Frontiers of Psychiatry: Cannabis-Assisted Psychotherapy for Complex Dissociative Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report and 5-MeO-DMT for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A  Real-World Longitudinal Case Study.

 

Psychedelic Therapist & Retreat Organizer (2020-current)

As a practicing psychedelic therapist, I work one-on-one with clients as well as offering retreats. I have been certified in utilizing the Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP) through the Psychedelic Somatic Institute.  This modality uncovers and amplifies the psychedelic properties of easily accessible, legal substances such as cannabis and ketamine.  I have also received psychedelic training from SoundMind and Medicinal Mindfulness

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Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah – Family & Consumer Studies Department (2018-current)

I have designed and taught multiple in-person and online undergraduate courses (Trauma & Human Development, Modern Family, Adolescence, Love & Intimacy, and Race, Ethnicity, and Family Diversity) with ~70 students each course, receiving consistently excellent student reviews

 

Utah Rotary; Youth Chair (2017-2018)

As Utah Rotary Youth Chair, I oversaw 5 programs: RYLA- our annual leadership training for 200+ student leaders, Interact & Rotaract- ~30 high school & 11 college service clubs comprising of hundreds of students, Youth Exchange- short & long foreign exchange experiences for up to 16 students annually, and U40- a program I developed and implemented to better engage Rotarians under 40. In my role, I designed and implemented an online mentoring program between older & younger Rotarians.  I revamped the Utah Rotary Youth website and created a social media internship position to improve communication with Rotarians and youth.  I also improved processes, including the implementation of better tracking systems, regular board and strategic meetings, quarterly newsletters, and systems to measure progress.  Additionally, I put on annual trainings for Rotarians working with youth, chair youth conferences, oversee local and international service trips and opportunities through Rotary.

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Youthlinc; International Service and Development Director (2011-2014)

Youthlinc is a nonprofit organization with the mission of creating lifetime humanitarians through a rigorous 9-month local and international hands-on service curriculum. I oversaw the smooth functioning of 5-8 teams annually comprised of ~30 students & ~10 adult mentors. Each year, I prepared teams to travel to a developing country to work on sustainable community development initiatives including infrastructure & water projects, and vocational, business & community health trainings. Partly due to my efforts, Youthlinc has been able to grow to almost double the participants, using many of the systems I implemented.  Specifically, while at Youthlinc, I was responsible for:

  • Creating a curriculum that best engaged youth on a path of lifetime humanitarianism through student leadership, project-based and cooperative learning, and mentorship

  • Collaborating with in-country leaders on projects, budgets, itineraries, and travel logistics

  • Training, holding regular meetings with, and overseeing team leaders

  • Overseeing PR & social media including Facebook, blog, website, production of newsletters, brochures & annual reports

  • Spending of and reporting for ~$500K annually, including team budgets, collecting invoices, wiring & reconciliations

  • Helping with the planning and execution of annual benefits and other fundraising events

  • Maintaining positive relationship with donors, community partners and volunteers

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University Neighborhood Partners; Community Mentor (2010-2011)

I created a manual to assist individuals with refugee status become entrepreneurs, as well as serve as a mentor to multiple members of the refugee community. I supported mentees define goals, determine community resources & navigate entrepreneurship in Utah. 


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Lowell Bennion Community Service Center; Service Leaning Coordinator (6 semesters; 2003-2011)

I helped bridge the academic pursuits of students with real work experience & civic engagement in a way that benefited students & community. I created curricula, worked with community-partners & supported students. 

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Peace Corps Guatemala; Municipal Development Volunteer (2007-2009)

As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I worked in indigenous local government offices in rural Guatemala. I trained my colleagues to utilize technology for the improvement of community initiatives. I coordinated community events and promoted programs with a special interest in leadership development & gender equality. I advocated for the organization of women’s political and economic involvement, and helped start a women’s office with elected leaders. I also updated the training manual used by the Municipal Development Program for incoming Peace Corps Volunteers. 

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Anasazi; Outdoor Wilderness Survival Trail Walker (2005)


While at Anasazi, I provided counseling and maintained a safe, positive environment for at-risk youth in an outdoor wilderness survival setting. I was responsible for daily reporting, training new employees, responding to any first-aid needs or emergencies and working with administrators to ensure program success. 

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University of Utah; Student Union Building Manager (2003-2005)

As a building manager, I oversaw events and finances, maintained a safe and secure building, and trained and managed other student staff working in the building. I also created a training manual for future managers. 

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Lowell Bennion Community Service Center; Public Relations Chair (2003-2004)

As Public Relations Chair, I was responsible for chairing campus-wide events such as banquets, annual food drives, volunteer projects and fundraisers. I coordinated activities, recruited volunteers, promoted events and worked with student groups. I also wrote press releases & designed promotional campaigns. 

 

Salt Lake Community College; Student Body Vice President (2002-2003)

I oversaw the recruiting, training & smooth functioning of a board of student leaders. Together we coordinated multiple activities and events beneficial to students. My focus was to help develop the Service Learning program. I also served on the institution’s Executive Council, being a liaison between students & the administration. 

Community Engagement

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  • Advisory Board Member for Energy.Work (2023)

  • Founding member of the Dragonfly Collective, a community of women engaged in healing arts (2022-current)

  • Trustee member for the Salt Lake Buddhist Fellowship, overseeing monthly social activities and community engagement through a variety of service initiatives (2018-2020)

  • Community organizer and fundraiser for social initiatives - examples include raising $1K for a refugee family over the holidays, $3K+ for a local immigrant family who fell victim to a house fire, $6K for a school in Ghana, $3K towards infrastructure projects in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, etc.  

  • Volunteer Team Leader for a two-week intensive service trip to rural Fiji.  From 2018-2019, I led team efforts to plan, prepare and raise over $3K for business, vocational and education initiatives that we completed, including the training and implementation for a women’s sewing cooperative and Days for Girls initiative. Additionally, I help Youthlinc with annual trainings, fundraising, judging for Humanitarian of the Year Award, and the updating of their business curriculum.

  • For almost a decade, I was heavily involved in Rotary, helping charter 2 new Rotary Clubs. As a Rotarian, I planned and executed 100+ service projects, including large scale international service trips like to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and to Mexico with a group of high school students. In 2018, I served as Club President for the Rock Rotary Club (a nontraditional Rotary Club for 25-40 year olds). Because of my ongoing efforts to lead PR campaigns, organize local & international projects and fundraisers, and build strong Rotary partnerships, I was awarded my club’s 2013 Rotarian of the Year. Additionally, I have served as the Salt Lake Rotaract Club President in college, and member of the Utah Rotary Youth Committee, earning the 2011 Utah Rotaractor of the Year. 

  • I served on the Advisory Board for Pathways to Self-Sufficiency, the Service-Learning Advisory Board through the Lowell Bennion Service Center, and as an advisor for Women of the World empowering women with refugee status. 

Miriam Grace Kaiyo, Ph.D. | Salt Lake City, Utah

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