Kody Zalewski

Kody, a Wisconsin native, studied neuroscience at the University of Minnesota, supplementing his education with minors in psychology and computer science. His passion for understanding the brain stems from both practical and philosophical perspectives. Kody’s interest in quantifying subjective experiences inspired a career in neuroimaging, starting by using electrophysiology to analyze auditory processing in 2012. In 2014, he began analyzing functional MRI data related to Major Depressive Disorder and Substance Use Disorder at the Medical University of South Carolina. The following year, he joined the University of Washington as a scientist working with functional diffusion and volumetric neuroimaging data.

​Kody became an advocate for the use of psychedelics in mental health therapy after Denver decriminalized psilocybin in 2019. He became co-director of the Psychedelic Medicine Alliance of Washington in 2021, leading to the decriminalization of psychedelics in Seattle later that year. Kody continues to shape the future of statewide psychedelic policy in Washington State through dedicated advocacy. In 2022, he enrolled in a Pharmaceutical Sciences Master’s program at the University of Wisconsin to expand his knowledge of psychedelic pharmacology and regulation.

At Calyx Law, Kody aims to maximize the clinical impact of psychedelic intellectual property while preserving the ethnobotanical heritage of these medicines. This stems from a strong belief that investment in psychedelic biotechnology can bring relief to millions suffering with mental health disorders. Outside of work, Kody enjoys cycling, hiking, painting, and growing peppers. He also volunteers for a non-partisan voting rights organization and holds a Cho Dan black belt in taekwondo. Kody lives in Seattle with his partner and their cat, Lil Mau.