Team
Sharonda LeBlanc, PhD
Dr. LeBlanc earned her PhD in Nanoscale Science from UNC Charlotte in 2012 where she explored the effects of proximal electric fields on single quantum dot fluorescence using time-resolved confocal microscopy. She moved on to a Postdoc at UNC-Chapel Hill (2014 – 2020) where she used single-molecule Förster/fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) to study protein–nucleic acid interactions involved in DNA repair. As a postdoc, she spent half of her time working at NC State with Professor Keith Weninger. Dr. LeBlanc joined the NC State Physics faculty as an Assistant Professor in Fall 2020.
Courses
PY 208 Physics for Engineers and Scientists II (calculus-based E&M) – Fall 2020, 2021, 2022
PY519 Biological Physics – Spring 2024
Current Members
Lewis (Alex) Rolband, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr. Rolband earned his Ph.D. in Nanoscale Science from UNC Charlotte in 2023 where he studied the design, characterization, and application of nucleic acid nanotechnologies. He completed his B.S. in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry from UNC Charlotte in the summer of 2019. Currently, he is exploring the role of Rix7 in the removal of NSA1 from pre-ribosomal particles as a critical process in the biogenesis of functional ribosomes in S. cerevisiae after joining Dr. LeBlanc’s team in the summer of 2023.
Jose Fernando Castaneda, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr. Castaneda earned his Ph.D. in Nanoscale Science from UNC Charlotte in 2022 where he studied the role of film morphology on the photostability and carrier transport properties of 3D inorganic-organic perovskites. He completed his M.S. in Chemistry where he explored plasmon-exciton interactions within metal and semiconductor nanoparticles. Currently, he is exploring the conformational changes of DNA mixed matched repair proteins MutL and MutS as well the growth evolution of laser deposition formed 2D inorganic-organic perovskites after joining Dr. LeBlanc’s team in the summer of 2023.
Kenya Gordon
Graduate Student
Kenya is currently a Ph.D. candidate and started in the lab in 2021, drawn in by the interdisciplinary aspects of the research and biological applications. She attended the University of North Florida and graduated with a B.S. in Physics with a concentration in Astrophysics. When Kenya is not in the lab, she enjoys working with students in math, science, and standardized test prep as a private tutor. She hopes to combine her biophysics interests with her love of teaching and mentoring students in her future career.
Niaz Goodbee
Graduate Student
Niaz is a first-year graduate student in the Genetic and Genome Scholars program and works in collaboration with the Elting Lab. He graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. degree in Biology where he found his interest in biophysics and passion to pursue further education. Niaz is from Albany, NY, and enjoys playing basketball and video games.
Ben Clark
Research Technician
Ben is a research technician in the lab developing new image developing new image correlation techniques and modeling protein activity with fluorescence intensity spectroscopy. He graduated from NC State in spring 2023 with two B.S. degrees in Mathematics and Physics. Ben plans on pursuing further education in biophysics and computational physics. He is a Raleigh native and lover of rock climbing, paddle boarding and anything in the great outdoors.
Sheridan Smith
Research Technician & Outreach Coordinator
Sheridan is a research technician and outreach coordinator in the lab. She graduated from NC State in fall 2023 with a B.A. in Biological Sciences with cross disciplinary interests in Psychology and Sociology. She is passionate about STEM outreach and intends to pursue a career in medicine. Sheridan is from Charlotte, NC and she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as caring for her cat Ernest.
Christopher Diamond
Undergraduate Researcher
Christopher is a fourth-year undergraduate researcher here at NC State studying Biological Sciences. His career interests include pharmaceuticals and microbiology. Christopher is from Wilmington, NC, and enjoys music, football, and video games.
High School Scholars
Smruti Patil Class of ’24
Samantha Kamineni Class of ’24
Alumni
| Former Lab Members | Previous Role | Current Role |
|---|---|---|
| Andi Morgan (2020-2023) | Research Technician | Research Assistant, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine |
| Ashley Drew (2023) | Undergraduate Researcher | Staff Engineer, Apro Resources, Inc. |
| Irene Silvernail (2023) | Summer Graduate Student | |
| Andrew Atisa (2020-2022) | Research Technician | Technical Sales and Business Development - Healthcare, Lucideon |