Neuroscience Center Director
Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D., has been called “a true renaissance man”: research scientist, teacher, mentor, community leader, author, screenplay co-writer/executive movie producer, patron of the arts, and entrepreneur. Born in Los Sarmientos, Tucuman, Argentina, Dr. Nicolas Bazan's defining moment was witnessing an aunt suffer a seizure while walking him to a piano lesson when he was a young boy, putting him on the path to becoming a medical doctor and one of the world's premier neuroscientists.
He is the founding Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at the School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health New Orleans. He is also the inaugural founder of The Ernest C. and Yvette C. Villere Chair for Research in Retinal Degeneration (1984-present) and has been appointed to the highest academic rank in the LSU System, a Boyd Professor (1994-present). He is also a Foreign Adjunct Professor of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
He devoted his life to studying fundamental cellular and molecular lipid signaling taking place in early stages of neurodegenerations and other brain and retinal dysfunctions. He has discovered cellular and molecular principles that reveal novel pro-homeostatic mediators as well as their relevance in early stages of Alzheimer's disease, in experimental stroke, experimental epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Bazan received his medical degree from the University of Tucuman in Argentina. Afterward, he trained at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York and Harvard Medical School. Then he was appointed faculty at age 26 at the University of Toronto, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry. He then founded a research institute, a new Biology academic unit, and doctorate and Masters' of Science graduate programs in Biochemistry in Argentina, and in 1981, Dr. Bazan move to New Orleans.
In his first laboratory at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry in Toronto, Canada, Dr. Bazan discovered that brain ischemia (like in stroke), seizures (like in epilepsy) or electroconvulsive shock (a therapy for depression) trigger the rapid release of unesterified essential fatty acids (docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acids) from membranes through phospholipase A2. Soon after, his lab extended these seminal observations to the retina, vision and retinal degenerative diseases. These findings became a citation classic ("Neural Stimulation or Onset of Cerebral Ischemia Activates Phospholipase A2", Bazan NG, Current Contents/Life Sciences, 30:10, 1991). Based upon this early work, he then discovered that release of the mediator, platelet activating factor (PAF), is a major signaling event of inflammatory responses in the eye and brain, and he identified PAF binding sites in synaptic and intracellular membranes.
He then uncovered that DHA supply to the photoreceptors and synapses is liver-regulated and that in photoreceptor cell renewal, retinal pigment epithelium recycling retains DHA within photoreceptors by a “short loop” (RPE-to-photoreceptors) after the “long loop” (liver-to-retina). He found that Usher's Syndrome patients from Cajun families from Louisiana have DHA shortage in the blood, implicating the long loop in retinal degenerations. He discovered enzyme-mediated formation of DHA derivatives in the retina and coined the term docosanoids. He and his colleagues, in collaboration with Dr. Charles N. Serhan (Harvard Medical School), then discovered the synthesis and bioactivity of the first docosanoid, Neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1), which arrests apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelial cells at the pre-mitochondrial level, and is neuroprotective in brain ischemia-reperfusion and in cellular models of Alzheimer's disease. Then he and his colleagues found a decrease in DHA-derived NPD1 in the CA1 area of Alzheimer's disease patients, and that NPD1 promotes down-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes and of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins and neuronal and glial cell survival from Aβ toxicity. He discovered novel mediators that counteract early events in Alzheimer's, stroke, and other diseases as well a novel painkiller.
Among Dr. Bazan's awards and recognitions are the Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (1989); elected to the Royal Academy of Medicine, Spain (1996); elected fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin (1999); President, American Society for Neurochemistry (1999-2001); Doctor Honoris Causa, Universidad de Tucuman, Argentina (1999); Endre A. Balazs Prize, International Society of Eye Research (2000); the Proctor Medal, the highest honor awarded by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) (2007); the Alkmeon International Prize (2011); the Chevreul Medal, Paris, France (2011); the Excellence Award, Annual European Association for Vision and Eye Research, Nice, France (2013); and the Mossakowski Medal, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland (2013), 2018 Award of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (Bonn, Germany).
For his contributions to creating a culture that inspires novel ideas and opens a path for translating concepts into reality—from the lab, to the clinic, to the community—he received many recognitions, which include: Role Model, Young Leadership Council of New Orleans; The Alzheimer's Association Greater New Orleans Award; Family Services of Greater New Orleans (Ten Outstanding Persons) Award; and induction into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame of New Orleans.
He is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Molecular Neurobiology (Springer), a Founding Senate Member of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)—a nationwide research program on Alzheimer's disease in Germany—Member of the Biology of the Visual System Study Section, NIH, and Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Governors for the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Foundation.
His civic and artistic community involvement includes being a patron of the New Orleans Opera and authoring “Una Vida: A Fable of Music and the Mind” (produced as the feature film “Of Mind and Music”) as well as “The Dark Madonna: A Fable of Resiliency and Imagination”—novels exploring his lifelong intellectual quest and exploration of a better understanding of the deep beauty and complexity of the human experience.
Thus, in summary, he has devoted his life to studying fundamental cellular and molecular
neuroinflammatory lipid signaling in early stages of neurodegenerations and other
brain and retinal dysfunctions. He has discovered cellular and molecular principles
that reveal novel pro-homeostatic mediators relevant to counteract onset/early stages
and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. These novel mechanisms and mediators
are relevant to Alzheimer's disease, in experimental stroke, experimental epilepsy,
Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and age-related macular degeneration.
As of October 2022, his original research is reflected in >500 peer-reviewed publications—plus
monographs, books, and chapters—h-index=106, i10-index=451, and >46,470 citations
to his work (PubMed; Google Scholar).
Currently, he is beginning to apply his discoveries (patents exclusively licensed from the University in two startup companies that he co-founded).
They are NeuResto Therapeutics, LLC (novel discoveries for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's,
retinal degenerations, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other brain and retina
diseases; neuresto.com) and South Rampart Pharma, LLC (novel non-addictive, non-toxic painkiller; southrampartpharma.com).
Dr. Nicolas Bazan is married to Dr. Haydee Bazan, and they have five children: Patricia, Andrea, Nicolas, Hernan, and Maria. The children have given him and his wife fourteen grandchildren.
Nicolas Bazan, M.D., Ph.D., Director Neuroscience Center of Excellence,
Joseph Moerschbaecher, Dean of Graduate Studies, Vice Chancellor for
Academic Affairs, & Edmond Fischer, Ph.D.
Nobel Laurent Bengt Samuelsson (1982) with members of Nicolas Bazan, M.D., Ph.D. laboratory:
L-R (front row): Song Hong, Ph.D., Tiffany Niemoller, M.D./Ph.D. student, Bengt Samuelsson,
M.D., Ph.D., Nicolas Bazan, M.D., Ph.D., David Stark, M.D./Ph.D. student, (Middle
Row): Melissa Inman, M.D/.Ph.D. student, Kristopher Sheets, graduate student, Eric
Knott, graduate student, (back row): Alberto Musto, M.D., Ph.D., Jorgelina Calandria,
graduate student, and Victor Idoyaga-Vargas, M.D., Ph.D.
Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D.
Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D., has been called “a true Renaissance man.” He is an innovative research scientist, inspiring teacher, effective mentor, generous community leader, creative author, screenplay co-writer/executive movie producer, patron of the arts, imaginative entrepreneur, transformative influencer of implementing in our region a knowledge-based economy, and, above all, an exemplary family man.
Dr. Bazan is the inaugural founder of the Ernest C. and Yvette C. Villere Chair for Research in Retinal Degeneration, the founding Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at the Louisiana State University Health New Orleans’ School of Medicine, and has been appointed to the highest academic rank in the LSU System—a Boyd Professor. He is also a Foreign Adjunct Professor of Neuroscience at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Dr. Bazan received his medical degree from the University of Tucuman in Argentina. Afterward, he trained at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York and at the Department of Biological Chemistry at Harvard Medical School. At the age of twenty-six, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto and Assistant Director of the Department of Neurochemistry at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry. He then founded a research institute, a new Biology academic unit, and doctorate and Master of Science graduate programs in Biochemistry in Argentina. In 1981, Dr. Bazan moved to New Orleans.
Dr. Bazan was the founding Editor-in-Chief of Springer Nature’s Molecular Neurobiology journal. He was also the founding Senate Member of the Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft for the neurodegenerative diseases research program (2009-2016) in Germany. He served as the Elected Chairman on the Board of Governors for the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO Foundation) (2011-2014) and the elected President of the American Society for Neurochemistry (1991-2001).
Recent Awards:
- Frontiers in Vision Science Lecture, New England Eye Center, Boston, June 2023
- Frontiers in Vision Science Lecture and Visiting Professor, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, January 2023
- 2022 Exceptional Contributions to Human Physiology and Translational Medicine Award, 17th International Conference on “Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation and Related Diseases,” New Orleans, November 2022
- Guest of Honor at “Discoveries & Decoding Lipid Mediators: Advancing Science to End Neurological and Ophthalmological Diseases,” New Orleans, November 2022
- Distinguished Lecture Series, Schepens/Mass Eye and Ear Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, April 2021
- Mark Nickerson Memorial Lecture, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, CA, May 2019
- Award Lecture, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft, Bonn, Germany, September 2018
Dr. Bazan’s select recognition and awards include: the Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award NINDS, NIH, 1989- • Elected Member, Royal Academy of Sciences, Spain, 1993 • Elected Member, Royal Academy of Medicine, Spain, 1996 • Fellow, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin, 1999 • Doctor Honoris Causa, Universidad Nacional del Tucuman, Argentina, 1999 • Endre A. Balazs Prize, International Society of Eye Research, 2000 • Neurochemistry Research issue dedicated to Nicolas Bazan (Vol. 25, No. 5), 2000 • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Proctor Medal and Award Lecture and Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS) introduction, 2007 • Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (Vol. 613), Recent Advances in Retinal Degeneration book dedicated to Nicolas Bazan, 2008 • Chevreul Medal, Paris, France, 2011 • Alkmeon International Prize, 2011 • Medal, Miroslaw M. Mossakowski, Polish Academy of Sciences, 2013 • Gradle Medal, The Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology/World Ophthalmology Congress, Guadalajara, Mexico, 2016.
He devoted his life to studying fundamental signaling mechanisms in early stages of retina and brain dysfunctions. He has discovered cellular and molecular principles that reveal novel pro-homeostatic lipid mediators as well as their relevance and implications in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa, early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, experimental stroke, Parkinson’s disease, pain, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
In his first laboratory in Toronto, Canada, Dr. Bazan discovered that brain ischemia (like in stroke), seizures (like in epilepsy), or electroconvulsive shock (a therapy for depression) trigger the rapid release of unesterified essential fatty acids (docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acids) from membranes through phospholipase A2 (PLA2). These findings became a citation classic (“Neural Stimulation or Onset of Cerebral Ischemia Activates Phospholipase A2,” Bazan NG, Current Contents/Life Sciences, 30:10, 1991).
Dr. Bazan’s research has opened conceptual in-roads in ophthalmology, neuroscience, and medicine by uncovering signaling mechanisms and novel molecular principles of cell survival and neuroprotection. His contributions are unique and pioneering. From the beginning of his scientific career, he has contributed innovative concepts and has discovered molecular principles that sustain neural cell integrity. He was the first to uncover arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) brain release upon stimulation by ischemia and/or seizures at rates comparable to those of maximal hormonal lipolytic activation in other tissues. At the time, medical sciences were captivated by the discovery of prostaglandins and other eicosanoids from AA (omega-6 essential fatty acid family member) and the elucidation of their functions by B. Samuelsson, S. Bergstrom, and J. Vane. Dr. Bazan took a different focus and approach and began aiming in the late 1960s to understand the significance of DHA, a member of the omega-3 essential fatty acid family. During this time, he became aware of studies that observed the beneficial health effects of diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Thus, he began conceptualizing and pondering on the biology of DHA, which is prominently concentrated in photoreceptors and synapses, and he formulated hypotheses and tested them under various conditions, as described below. Unexpected outcomes have since evolved, including his findings on the significance of the phospholipid-mediator platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the retina, anterior segment of the eye, and brain. Dr. Bazan approached this issue from a different angle because PAF metabolism involves DHA and AA release. Therefore, he and his colleagues were the first to find that PAF modulates hippocampal excitatory synaptic transmission and presynaptic glutamate release and that it is a retrograde messenger of long-term potentiation enhancing, in turn, memory formation.
He then began connecting these initial findings with the significance of DHA in the interactions between photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, and in the early 1980s, Dr. Bazan developed the concept and initial exploration of bioactive DHA derivatives that he found in the retina and suggested calling docosanoids (22C, in contrast to the 20C eicosanoids from AA).
In fact, he showed that the retina generated enzyme-derived DHA products. In groundbreaking fashion, Dr. Bazan discovered the source and mechanisms of retention of retinal DHA. He identified the link between DHA deficiency and inherited retinal dystrophies. This laid the foundation for therapeutic strategies designed to bolster endogenous levels of retinal DHA. Bazan expanded his work to examine mechanisms of release of free DHA by the brain and retina and was the first to associate phospholipase-mediated DHA release with disorders of the brain and retina—a phenomenon known as the “Bazan effect.” This has led to a number of discoveries that have impacted our understanding and potential therapies for several forms of dementia and retinal degeneration.
While studying DHA brain release due to stimulation early on, Dr. Bazan began using the retina as a natural-made brain slice since the differentiated neuron, the photoreceptor cell, is enriched in DHA, and its neuronal circuitry makes it an integral part of the central nervous system (CNS). Then he uncovered new mechanisms regarding how DHA is acquired to reach such a unique endowment in the retina and brain. Based on these discoveries, Bazan identified the liver-to-retina (and brain) “long loop” for DHA supply and an RPE/photoreceptor intercellular “short loop” for DHA retention in photoreceptors. This recycling is similar to that seen in retinoids, and he postulated it to be critical for photoreceptor survival; hence, its breakage leads to retinal degeneration. Bazan also found that Acadian Louisiana Usher’s Syndrome patients (born deaf, then blind due to retinitis pigmentosa) have DHA shortage in the blood, implicating the long loop in retinal degeneration. This observation, among others from his lab, led him to further explore the role of DHA in photoreceptor degeneration and to extrapolate it to Alzheimer’s disease. His quest focused on the specific molecular mechanisms engaged and led Bazan and collaborators to discover a specific transmembrane protein (adiponectin receptor 1; AdipoR1) for DHA uptake/retention in RPE cells and photoreceptors necessary for cell functional integrity. This AdipoR1-protein, although it has seven transmembrane domains, is not a G-protein, and thus he demonstrated that its cognate ligand, adiponectin, is not involved. Therefore, the new function is that AdipoR1 represents a key molecular switch for DHA uptake, retention, and conversion into a photoreceptor-specific molecular species of phosphatidylcholine that are decreased in AMD. In fact, when he and his colleagues genetically ablated the protein, retinal degeneration ensued. Bazan’s thinking and work have widely influenced other researchers and scientists. As an example of an additional impact of these discoveries, it was reported that a single amino acid mutation in AdipoR1 causes nonsyndromic autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. This finding was based on Dr. Bazan’s AdipoR1 work.
Bazan and collaborators demonstrated in 1984 that DHA is the precursor of docosanoids and predicted that they are endowed with pro-homeostatic cell survival properties. Dr. Bazan contributed to the discovery of the synthesis and bioactivity of neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1; 10R,17S-dihydroxy-docosa-4Z,7Z,11E,13E,15Z,19Z-hexaenoic acid) in 2003-2004. His work uncovered that NPD1 arrests apoptosis in RPE cells at the pre-mitochondrial level and is neuroprotective in brain ischemia-reperfusion and cellular models of Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, Bazan and colleagues coined the name “neuroprotectin D1” for this first identified docosanoid and showed that NPD1 is an oxidative stress/injury response mediator that counteracts disruptions of cellular homeostasis, and it is an active participant in a well-concerted process that effectively modulates neuroinflammation. Esterified DHA from phospholipids is cleaved by PLA2, releasing DHA followed by NPD1 synthesis. Bazan also showed in the RPE cells that 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LOX-1) catalyzes DHA enzymatic lipoxygenation and conversion into NPD1 and that neurotrophins stimulate this process (e.g., BDNF, NGF, PEDF). He and his colleagues found enhanced cytosolic PLA2 expression and decreased free-DHA in short post-mortem sampled CA1 hippocampal region of early stages of Alzheimer’s disease with a concomitant 25-fold decrease in NPD1. In human neuronal cells in culture, he also showed that NPD1 promotes the downregulation of pro-inflammatory genes and pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins and that it also enhances the abundance of anti-apoptotic proteins to counteract Aβ-mediated neurotoxicity. Among the molecular targets that he found for this bioactive lipid is the triggering of de-phosphorylation of Bcl-xL in a PP2A-dependent fashion during oxidative stress, which induces cell survival.
Bazan and his colleagues recently discovered a new family of lipid messengers, which they coined “elovanoids.” Elovanoids (ELVs) are set apart from all other lipid messengers. Known lipid mediators, such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, lipoxins, resolvins, and docosanoids, are derived from 18 to 22 carbon-length fatty acid precursors. ELVs, on the other hand, have structures derived from 32- or 34-carbon precursors with different physicochemical and biological properties. Bazan and colleagues reported the complete structures and stereochemistry of the novel elovanoids ELV-N32 (derived from 32:6,n-3) and ELV-N34 (derived from 34:6,n-3), the complete R/S configuration, and the Z/E geometry of the double bonds as generated in retinal cells and neurons. Dr. Bazan furthermore showed that ELVs are cell-specific mediators necessary for neuroprotective signaling for cell integrity in photoreceptors and the brain.
In addition, Bazan designed and developed several molecules for clinical application (covered by patents assigned to LSU Health New Orleans), including non-narcotic, non-toxic analgesics for a variety of conditions: neuropathic pain; novel neuroprotective compounds, anti-inflammatories, compounds effective for slowing down invasiveness of glioblastoma multiforme; genetically-engineered transdifferentiated fibroblasts for neurons and genetically-engineered adipose tissue cells for neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, he is beginning to apply his discoveries by translating them by means of startup companies that he co-founded: NeuResto Therapeutics, LLC (discoveries for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, retinal degenerations, stroke, ALS, MS, long-COVID-19 and other brain and retina diseases) and South Rampart Pharma, LLC (novel non-addictive painkiller).
Dr. Bazan’s ongoing quest in the fields of ophthalmology and neuroscience is, in a way, reflected as a response to one major challenge to civilization: the growing incidence of the loss of sight and cognition due to increased life expectancy and other factors. His ideas are synergized with a rise in the occurrence of photoreceptor- and neuronal-survival failure, as reflected mainly by AMD and Alzheimer’s disease.
Recent Recognitions from the International Scientific Community in His Field:
- 2022 Exceptional Contributions to Human Physiology and Translational Medicine Award: For his innovative discoveries and entrepreneurial initiatives to help patients with neurological and ophthalmological diseases, Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D., was named the recipient of the ‘Exceptional Contributions to Human Physiology and Translational Medicine Award 2022’ at the 17th annual Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation, and Related Diseases conference (https://bioactivelipids.org/).
- Dinner Honoring Dr. Nicolas Bazan’s Accomplishments (The Times-Picayune): The Eicosanoid Research Foundation held a special celebratory dinner in Dr. Nicolas
Bazan’s honor on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at Antoine’s Restaurant in New Orleans.
This event acknowledged his devotion to studying neuroprotection mediated by lipid
signaling in the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases, his deep commitment to
his surrounding community and the arts, and his insightful discoveries on retinal
degenerations, brain tumors, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and TBI.
- For this occasion, a special song, “Nic’s Nola Song,” was composed by Ed and Martha Dennis (from San Diego, CA) and sung by opera soprano Sarah Jane McMahon to the tune of “My Favorite Things” (The Sound of Music). The event hosted over 130 guests from around the world (see LinkedIn post for images).
Impact on Worldwide Science (as of October 1, 2024)
Dr. Nicolas G. Bazan’s original research is reflected in >500 peer-reviewed publications (PubMed), monographs, books, and chapters, and an h-index of 112, an i10-index of 487, and >55,011 citations to his work (Google Scholar).
AwareNow Magazine Spotlight “Being Bazan”:
An ongoing AwareNowTM Spotlight Series featuring Dr. Nicolas G. Bazan. This monthly publication presents diverse collections of personal stories and exclusive interviews. From rock legends like Dave Navarro to iconic artists such as Shepard Fairey, they share stories about multiple causes, from mental health to human rights and every cause in between. AwareNow serves an international audience, averaging 8 million readers every month.
Established an Exemplary Mentoring Culture for Scientists /Clinicians
“I have been determined to enable a workplace culture where everyone, regardless of gender, feels encouraged and supported. This lab culture is achieved, in part, by making all understand that what is done is meaningful and that the background and knowledge acquired will open career doors of progress. I often tell students and trainees that it is best not to conduct research for the sole purpose of publishing papers. Rather, we do research to open inroads into unchartered biological territories. The approach that I have followed has, for the most part, been to avoid doing gun-shot research and instead to build ideas and hypotheses to be tested by properly designing and performing experiments that ask questions. Intellectually, I have found this approach stimulating, driving further curiosity and exploration.
“The culture that I try to foster every day seeks to contribute to enriching minds and to train constructive and effective future leaders. An additional essential component of my lab culture is that our hypotheses target specific disease mechanisms.
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasgbazan/details/featured/1635486549057/single-media-viewer/
Organized and Directed the Summer Undergraduate Neuroscience (SUN) Program (the 1990s–Present)
Louisiana’s undergraduate students and selected others are exposed to hands-on experiences in laboratory research and education in the neurosciences, with the goal of stimulating an interest in medicine, neuroscience, and research as a career. Since its inception, this program has educated over 700 participants, most of whom are now successful physicians and/or researchers.
Link to the SUN Program: https://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/neuroscience/sun_program.aspx
Community Awards in New Orleans
For his entrepreneurial contributions in creating a culture that inspires novel ideas and opens a path for translating concepts into reality—from the lab to the clinic to the community—he has received many local recognitions, which include: Role Model, Young Leadership Council of New Orleans; The Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Orleans Award; Family Services of Greater New Orleans (Ten Outstanding Persons) Award; and induction into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame of New Orleans (2010).
His civic and artistic community involvement includes being a patron of the New Orleans Opera and authoring “Una Vida: A Fable of Music and the Mind” (produced as the feature film “Of Mind and Music”) as well as “The Dark Madonna: A Fable of Resiliency and Imagination”—novels exploring his lifelong intellectual quest and exploration of a better understanding of the deep beauty and complexity of the human experience.
Impact of Dr. Bazan’s Presence on the Local Community and Knowledge-based Economic Development
Editorial “Our Views: For the long term, invest in research for new knowledge but also good jobs” | New Orleans Advocate | October 31, 2022:
Once again, the brainpower of Louisiana’s educational institutions will get recognition with an international award for Nicolas Bazan of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at LSU’s medical school in New Orleans. The award at a conference in New Orleans recognizes Bazan’s contributions to the study of human physiology and how to create new therapies for challenges like Alzheimer’s disease and other afflictions emerging during our lengthening lifespans.
But it also showcases the vital role of university research in economic development. Bazan holds LSU’s top academic rank as a Boyd professor and has also generated spin-off companies to develop therapies from research by him and his colleagues.
Editorial “Nicolas Bazan: Louisiana as neurosciences center would boost our knowledge-based economy”| New Orleans Advocate | September 24, 2022:
One of the major issues before us is that of an aging population. Age-related neurodegenerations and diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and macular degeneration, are increasing at a startling rate. Uncovering the secrets of successful aging is a must if we are to reduce the burden placed on individuals, families and society. The resources necessary for an elderly population unable to care for itself to be properly cared for by professional caregivers strike a tremendous blow to the gross domestic product of any nation. With this in mind, why should we focus on neuroscience in Louisiana?
The vision is a transformational idea to enhance neuroscience awareness of health care, business and civic leaders in the city of New Orleans and the state. It will provide a major economic and intellectual stimulus to our city, attracting neuroscientists, clinician-neuroscientists, and scientists from other fields to the region, as well as new businesses and entrepreneurs.
List of Published Work in Dr. Nicolas Bazan’s Bibliography
Link to MyBibliography: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/nicolas.bazan.1/bibliography/40724014/public/?sort=date&direction=ascending