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
PhD Candidate
Niaz is a PhD candidate 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.
Alexandria Kerr
Graduate Student
Alexandria Kerr was born in Jamaica and applied for higher education in the US in 2016, achieving a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Florida Gulf Coast University. From there, she has concentrated her studies in Chemistry at the graduate level to accomplish a future PhD at North Carolina State University.
Kaitlyn Fisk
Temp Research Technician
Kaitlyn Fisk has a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a Master of Teaching in Secondary Science. She currently works as a high school Physics & Earth/Enviro teacher.
Research Assistant
Cameron Russell Stephens’ is a recent graduate of physics and mathematics in a technical role in the LeBlanc lab. Learning and scientific exploration is his passion. His favorite aspect of this work is being able to provide computational justification and analyses for experiments taking place in lab. Outside of work he enjoys hiking, camping, rock climbing, and video games.
Jui Oden
Temporary Research Technician
Jui Oden is a recent graduate with a background in graphic design. She works with in the LeBlanc lab and also works with the social media side of things. Her many skills include videography and art. She also has a passion for science.
Ty Wittenborn
Undergraduate Researcher
Ty Wittenborn is an undergraduate student at NCSU in physics. He has a love for robotics and art. He works in LeBlanc lab as a researcher and helps to further the lab’s research.
Rajen Kumar Goutam
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
Rajen K. Goutam, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in biophysics specializing in the quantitative analysis of biomolecular interactions. He earned his PhD from Clemson University, where his research focused on cancer-associated mutations in ARID1A and their effects on protein–DNA interactions using single-molecule fluorescence and biophysical methods. His current research investigates ribosome biogenesis, with an emphasis on dynamic protein interactions and assembly mechanisms in live cells. Originally from Nepal, he brings a global perspective to his scientific work. Outside the lab, he enjoys outdoor activities such as soccer and hiking.
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=7hDuiYUAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajen-goutam-phd-a46427b6/
High School Scholars
Smruti Patil Class of ’24
Samantha Kamineni Class of ’24
Alumni
| Former Lab Members | Previous Role | Current Role |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Diamond (2026) | Research Technician | |
| Brendan Donovan (2025) | REU Student | Undergraduate Researcher at West Chester University of Pennsylvania |
| Andi Morgan (2020-2023) | Research Technician | Research Assistant, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine |
| Andrew Atisa (2020-2022) | Research Technician | Technical Sales and Business Development - Healthcare, Lucideon |
| Ashley Drew (2023) | Undergraduate Researcher | Staff Engineer, Apro Resources, Inc. |
| Irene Silvernail (2023) | Summer Graduate Student | |
| Lewis (Alex) Rolband, PhD (2023-2024) | Postdoctural Researcher | |
| Ben Clark (2023) | Research Technician | |
| Christopher Diamond (2024) | Researcher | |
| Sheridan Smith (2024) | Research Technician/Outreach Coordinator | |
| Kenya Gordon (2025) | Graduate Student | Teacher |
| Maia Lindgren (2025) | Temp Research Technician | Industry |
| Jose Fernando Castaneda (2025) | Postdoctoral Researcher |