Elisabetta Setzu has obtained her Master’s Degree in Art History and Philosophy from the University of Bologna with a thesis in Psychology of Art, "Kandinsky and the Synesthesia”, which was published as an academic book by Edizioni Accademiche Italiane. Since then, she has been working as an art historian and curator for international art galleries both in Europe and the USA. Currently, she is curating a travelling exhibition and catalog on Rembrandt’s religious etchings.

Mauricio Oviedo is an art historian whose work has been oriented to the function of images in cultural transformations throughout history. He received his masters in Religious Studies, with a specialization in Western Esotericism from the University of Amsterdam. He earned a BA in Art History, from the University of Costa Rica. Currently he is a PhD candidate in the Department of Christianity and the History of Ideas of the University of Groningen. Oviedo has done research in Theory of Art; 15th and 16th century European Art (Italian, Dutch and German art); astrological images, and 19th century cultural markets in Central America. His current research is focused on Colonial Art, Dutch and German emblem books’ production, and German visual culture connected to mysticism, from the 17th and 18th century.

Dr. Mandel is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician in private practice in Beverly Hills. In addition to the healing arts, she has had a lifelong interest in the Tarot and its symbolic representations, as well as the metaphysical/mystical and in exploring the nature of existence and reality.

Dr. Mandel is on the medical staff of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and an Associate Clinical Professor at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA where she teaches medical students. She is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. She is dedicated to charitable work and to the integration of the Western and Eastern approaches to medicine. Prior to entering private practice, she served for thirteen years as the Medical Director of the Los Angeles Free Clinic (currently known as Saban Community Clinic) providing comprehensive free health services for the uninsured or underinsured. While at the clinic, she applied for and received a grant to start an Integrative Medicine and Wellness Program on-site. Patients were able to access such services as Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture/Chinese herbs, homeopathy, and wellness programming. She has studied Spiritual Medicine and is a Reiki Practitioner.

Dr. Mandel received numerous awards for her work at the clinic, including the Los Angeles County Woman of the Year by LA County Board of Supervisors. Buzz Magazine named her as one of the Buzz 100: 100 Coolest People in LA. She currently serves on the board of the Lung Cancer Foundation of America and on the Quality Improvement Committee of the Saban Community Clinic.

Gypsy van Melle Seaton discovered her passion for Western Esotericism through her lifelong fascination with art and design. Her particular interest in the junction between art, mathematics and esotericism developed while she was studying Product Design at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. The creative and technical aspects of her background as a designer have provided her with an original perspective within the academic framework of Western Esotericism. She has completed her Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies with a minor in Western Esotericism at the University of Amsterdam (UVA) and is continuing her studies at the UVA’s graduate program for a Master of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies: Western Esotericism.

In 2017 Gypsy joined Project AWE’s team as a research assistant for the internship program.  She has subsequently taken on an important position as Project Specialist.

Sasha Chaitow, PhD, is a British-Greek independent scholar, cultural historian, and artist. Her doctoral research (University of Essex) comprises a full scale review of the life and work of visionary author and occultist Joséphin Péladan. Her interest in the interdisciplinarity and the intersection between esotericism and culture led to an MA in English Literature (University of Indianapolis, 2004) and a second MA in Western Esotericism (EXESESO, Exeter, 2008). Sasha was assistant visiting professor in Religious Studies and History at the University of Indianapolis Athens 2008-2012, and founding director of Phoenix Rising Academy, an independent educational enterprise dedicated to introducing the academic study of Western Esotericism to a general audience. She has directed and lectured at international conferences and colloquia in the UK, Greece, and the US. Sasha has contributed articles and chapters to books on Freemasonry, Initiation, Synaesthesia, Methodology in the Study of Esotericism, Art and Esotericism, and Esotericism and Politics, and has published a monograph on Péladan (Daidaleos Books, Salonica, 2013).

Dario Mellado is an artist, filmmaker, and producer. Mellado’s work includes a twenty-year ongoing study of “America’s Decaying Suburban Experience”. He focuses on the post second world war suburban explosion and it’s environmental, social, and spiritual implications. Mellado’s background in social activism including work coordinating the Independent Living Program in the San Fernando Valley (a vocational and counseling program for “at risk youth” and foster children) and time spent as a Vocational Counselor and Advocate for teens with Autism and Asperger’s solidified Mellado’s idea and use of an art’s function as an influential “tool for social change”. His recent documentary “Nuclear Cowboys” addresses environmental concerns and raises awareness of local health crises.

Felipe Pazello is an English-Portuguese translator from Brazil. He holds a Master's degree in Physics. Felipe is assisting Project AWE with the research for the up-coming Albrecht Dürer's book publication.

Lindsay LaChapelle Mellado is a talented Filmmaker and a Producer.  She is working on a TV pilot for Project AWE series.

Dr. Komarov serves as a mathematics consultant to project AWE.  He is known for his software expertise and enjoys extreme challenges.

Yanina Gotsulsky is a writer and translator, whose work has appeared in national and international publications.  Yanina has a degree in Russian Literature from York University in Toronto.

Caroline Stover is a resident of Atlanta, GA. who works in publishing and artist representation.

Pompeyo Cepeda has generously dedicated his time to volunteering for AWE special events and projects.