Meet the HCRPC Team
Nadia Golden, MPH
Assistant Director
Nadia Golden is an Assistant Professor of Research Administration and Biocontainment Laboratories at the Tulane National Primate Research Center and the Tulane Biocontainment Institute. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, she made my way to Louisiana in 1999. Nadia has over 15 years of experience implementing project management services to BSL-2/ABSL-2, BSL-3/ABSL-3, and BSL-3/ABSL-3-enhanced containment facilities for animal models including mouse, and nonhuman primates.
With a master’s in public health from Tulane University's School of Tropical Health and Tropical Medicine, she has a strong background in research and administration. Nadia is focused on creating an inclusive and collaborative environment within her core laboratory. She believes in fostering growth and promoting teamwork to achieve common goals.
Outside of work, you can find her indulging in her love for food and exploring different cultures through travel. As a huge foodie, she’s always on the hunt for new and delicious dishes to try. And as an avid traveler, she is always eager to immerse herself in new cultures and experiences.
She is always open to connecting with fellow professionals and expanding her network.
Breanna Picou
Lab Manager
Breanna Picou is a Lab Manager at Tulane National Primate Research Center and has been at the center since 2017. She started as a medical research technician in a laboratory that focused on mycobacterium tuberculosis (mtb) work. Over time, she transitioned into a medical research specialist, specializing in MTB culturing, animal sample processing, and infections. In 2019, during the onset of the pandemic, she was recruited to participate in SARS-COV-2 research, leading to the formation of the HCRPC. The HCRPC team began working with various select agents and infectious agents. Breanna steadily progressed to the role of Lab Supervisor and later to Lab Manager of the HCRPC team.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two young children, exploring local children's attractions, as well as engaging in activities such as running, boating, and other outdoor pursuits.
Lovisa St. Pierre
Medical Research Specialist
Lovisa St Pierre is a Medical Research Specialist in the High Containment Research Performance Core. Lovisa was born in Sweden and moved to Louisiana with her family when she was 4 years old. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.S. in Animal Science. Lovisa joined the HCRPC at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, so her career began in SARS-CoV-2 virus research and vaccine development. However, her true passion and specialty is found in Mycobacterium tuberculosis research.
When she is not working in the lab, you can find Lovisa going on walks with her husband and two dogs, baking gluten-free desserts, training for a race, or hanging out with friends and family!
Brandon Smith
Medical Research Specialist
Brandon Smith is a Medical Research Specialist at the Tulane National Primate Research Center. He is originally from Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Brandon graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) in 2020 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and is currently working of getting is Master of Public Health from Tulane University. Brandon specializes in Select Agent, Olink Proteomic and PCR processes.
In his free time, Brandon enjoys traveling, exploring new places, and living vicariously through his sims.
Skye Minor
Medical Research Specialist
Skye Minor is a Medical Research Specialist working in the High Containment Research Performance Core at the Tulane National Primate Research Center. She grew up in Pearl River, LA. Skye graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Master of Science in Biology. She joined the HCRPC lab to pursue her interest in microbiology and virology research.
When Skye isn't working in the lab, she enjoys spending time with her husband, mom, friends, dog, and cat, and she also enjoys reading, traveling, and going to concerts.
Rebecca Bilbo
Medical Research Technician
Rebecca Bilbo is a Medical Research Technician in the High Containment Research Performance Core. She started her career 10 years ago in Veterinary Medicine as a Registered Vet Tech. Rebecca has always had a love for science which pushed her to go back to school and graduate with her Bachelor of Science Degree in 2022. Upon graduation, she immediately changed careers and started working in the HCRPC lab. For the past two years, Rebecca has enjoyed learning all the new processes and is working to find her niche.
When not in the lab, Rebecca can be found spending time with her husband and daughter, fishing, or simply enjoying the outdoors.
Kelsey Williams
Medical Research Specialist
Kelsey Williams is a Medical Research Specialist in the High Containment Research Performance Core at the Tulane National Primate Research Center.
Kelsey is originally from Brooklyn, Michigan. She graduated with a B.A. in Biology from Adrian College and an MPH in Tropical Medicine from the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Kelsey is a mother of one (two, if you include her 120lb German Shepherd) and a self-taught sidewalk chalk artist. In her free time, she can often be found wandering the aisles at Target, going on adventures with her daughter, or DIYing something new.
Rebecca Penn
Medical Research Technician
Rebecca Penn is a Medical Research Technician in the High Containment Research Performance Core at the Tulane National Primate Research Center.
Rebecca grew up in Southeast Louisiana and graduated from Southeast Louisiana University with a B.S. in Biological Science. Rebecca joined HCRPC in 2021 to pursue her interest in high-containment infectious disease research. When she is not working in the lab, you can find her spending time with her cats and dogs, hanging out with friends and family, or reading.
