Sunyoung Kim, PhD
Center Head/Lead PI
She leads the project’s scientific strategy, research development, and program growth while advancing research on nucleotide metabolism, disease mechanisms, and rare disease biomarkers. She has secured over $13.4M in research funding, founded Chosen Diagnostics Inc, and mentored trainees who have gone on to successful STEM and faculty careers.
Edward Wojcik, PhD
Center Director
He is a quantitative cell biologist and Drosophila geneticist whose research connects mitotic mechanisms with small-molecule discovery for infectious disease therapeutics, including malaria, leishmaniasis, and Zika. A dedicated mentor and educator, he has trained 19 researchers across multiple career stages, led graduate and professional skills programs, and fosters interdisciplinary, collaborative science with real-world impact.
Michael Khonsari, PhD
Research and Development Mentor
He serves as a mentor for research and program development and is an internationally recognized expert in tribology, fatigue, and damage analysis with extensive leadership experience across academia, government, and industry. A prolific researcher and educator, he has led more than $110M in funded projects, authored hundreds of publications, holds 8 U.S. patents, and has mentored over 70 graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
Marcus Brown, PhD
Commercialization/Tech Transfer Lead
He serves as the commercialization lead, helping translate research into real-world impact through invention disclosures, I-Corps mentorship, industry partnerships, and startup development. Drawing on his experience as co-founder of Oto-Biomechanics, LLC and Systems Engineer at Nanosphere, Inc., he provides students and faculty with hands-on guidance in product development, funding strategies, and market-ready innovation.
Kelvin Clulee, MPH&TM
Program Specialist
He oversees the Center’s daily operations, communications, program coordination, and administrative management, supporting collaboration among researchers, advisory committees, funding agencies, and external partners.
Micquel Downs, PhD
Subproject 1 PI
She studies the molecular mechanisms that regulate ATPase function, with expertise spanning kinesin motor proteins, Zika virus biology, and mammalian protein expression. As an Assistant Professor and member of the NSF CREST Center for Adaptive Nanomotor Development, she leads research investigating how water networks mediate allosteric communication in biological nanomotors.
Rebecca Buckley, PhD
Subproject 2 PI
Her research focuses on kinesin motor protein mechanochemistry, allostery, and the molecular mechanisms underlying cytoskeletal organization and intracellular transport. She has also contributed to translational research in biomarker development for gastrointestinal diseases in infants and children and continues her work through NSF EPSCoR CREST-funded studies on motor protein function.
Jason Middleton, PhD
Subproject 3 PI
He studies how neurons and synaptic circuits in brain regions involved in sensory processing, stress response, and pain modulation function under normal conditions and how they are altered by stress, chronic pain, substance exposure, and traumatic brain injury. Using electrophysiology and computational approaches, the lab also evaluates pharmacological strategies to restore and protect normal neural circuit function in these disease states.
Nicolas Bazan, MD, PhD
Director, Neuroscience Center of Excellence
He is a world-renowned neuroscientist, founder of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at LSU NOLA, and a pioneer in lipid signaling research related to Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, retinal degeneration, and other neurodegenerative disorders. A highly accomplished scientist, mentor, entrepreneur, and author, he has published more than 450 peer-reviewed papers, founded innovative biotechnology companies including NeuResto Therapeutics, LLC and South Rampart Pharma, LLC, and has received international recognition for advancing discoveries from the laboratory to clinical and community impact.
Demetrius Porche, DNS, PhD
Dean and Professor, School of Nursing
He is Dean of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing and Professor with additional appointments in Public Health and Graduate Studies. He is a certified clinical specialist and family nurse practitioner, recognized editor and academic leader, and serves in national nursing leadership roles while contributing to healthcare education, policy, and workforce development.
Fern Tsien, PhD
Interim Chair, Department of Genetics
She is Interim Chair of the Department of Genetics at LSU Health New Orleans and Assistant Dean of Medical Student Research, with expertise in neurogenomics, epigenetics, and translational genetics research. She leads federally and locally funded programs in genomics, neuroscience, and STEM education while advancing collaborative research on neuroinflammation, cancer therapy effects, and hereditary hearing loss across diverse populations.
Evelyn "Evie" Sanders
Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship of GNO, Inc.
She is the VP of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Greater New Orleans, Inc., where she leads workforce development initiatives and cultivates partnerships across business, higher education, and the nonprofit sector. She brings expertise in strategic planning, organizational development, and community engagement, with a passion for expanding leadership opportunities and strengthening regional innovation ecosystems.
James Lucore
Subproject 1 Research Associate
Kaleb Warren
Subproject 2 Research Associate
Remy Fontenot
Subproject 3 Research Associate