Our Team
Dr. Gregory Smith, Founder & CEO
Gregory Smith, MD, MPH, earned his medical degree from Rush Medical School in Chicago and a Master of Public Health from Harvard University. He completed his residency in Preventive Medicine at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Following his service as a Major in the US Army, Dr. Smith has practiced medicine in California, Georgia, and Florida for over 35 years. Since his initial training in medical cannabis in California in 2000, he has been at the forefront of research on cannabinoid medications. Additionally, he directed a Tropical Medicine program at Tulane University.
Dr. Smith currently serves as Medical Advisor to several medical cannabis companies and as Scientific Advisor and Brand Ambassador for numerous plant-based and nutraceutical product lines. To further advance research, development, and education within the plant-based medicine industry, he founded NeX Therapeutics. A dedicated traveler, Dr. Smith frequently lectures at medical conferences around the world. He is also a prolific author, with over a dozen peer-reviewed medical publications, multiple cannabis education books, two medical textbooks, and a novel to his name.
Rae Borch, Chief Innovations Officer
Originally from Maine, Rae graduated from Eckerd College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Journalism. During her time at Eckerd, she served on the Editorial Board of the student newspaper, The Current, demonstrating a commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence for which she was awarded “Best Off-Campus Op-Ed” in 2017. She began her professional journey as General Manager of GLS Inc. in 2019, working closely alongside Dr. Smith on a variety of research projects before making her way up to a senior role at NeX Therapeutics.
As Chief Innovations Officer at NeX, she is committed to the constant improvement and optimization of systems and processes within the company. Her attention to detail and pursuit of excellence extends across all aspects of the company, from research to product design to marketing. Through her work at NeX and other endeavors, Rae seeks to bring greater awareness to the mind-body connection, with particular emphasis on how it can be understood through a scientific lens. Soon to be a Certified Yoga Instructor and Ayurvedic Medicine Specialist through the Yoga Alliance, Rae is passionate about harnessing the healing power of plants and alternative therapeutic modalities to help people look and feel their best.
Katy Kasper, Chief Operations Officer
Katy leads the oversees the strategic direction, operational efficiency, and execution of the company’s initiatives. With over eight years of experience in business development, marketing, and organizational leadership, Katy combines her creative vision with operational expertise to drive growth and innovation. A graduate of the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Katy has a strong foundation in strategic messaging and brand development, which she now leverages to strengthen company systems, partnerships, and long-term scalability. She is a distinguished member of Delta Sigma Pi, the nation’s premier professional business fraternity, reflecting her dedication to excellence, integrity, and lifelong learning.
In addition to her executive role, Katy is actively pursuing a master’s degree in social work and a life coaching certification, demonstrating her commitment to leadership grounded in empathy, personal development, and evidence-based practices. Her forward-thinking leadership, interdisciplinary expertise, and passion for conscious innovation are central to positioning NeX Therapeutics as a pioneer in plant-based medicine, research, and holistic health solutions.