Lily Aleksandrova

Lily Aleksandrova is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia and will soon transition into a Research Associate role. She holds a PhD and MS and brings expertise in pre-clinical and clinical research at the intersection of traditional medicine and substance use disorder treatment. Lily’s project is focused on developing an evidence-based botanical formulation to support opioid detoxification and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Building on phytochemicals long used in Traditional Asian Medicine, her innovation seeks to address pain, insomnia, anxiety, and agitation without the side effects or risks of opioid-based medications. Early studies in Vietnam and Canada have shown promise, and her team is continuing to expand safety and efficacy testing internationally. If commercialized, the over-the-counter formulation could provide a safe, affordable, and globally accessible option to improve withdrawal experiences and reduce relapse risk. As a member of the I4SUD 2025 cohort, Lily is advancing a novel, non-opioid therapeutic pathway that could significantly improve recovery outcomes worldwide.