Dr. Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award Recipients

Dr. August Gallo

Professor of Chemistry
Ray P. Authement College of Sciences

Dr. August Gallo is a professor and an accomplished researcher in the Department of Chemistry in the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. His interests in the field of organic chemistry include researching heterocyclic compounds, which have structural entities found in many pharmaceutical drugs. Another research interest is natural products chemistry, particularly native Louisiana plants that exhibit pharmacological activity. Gallo also conducts interdisciplinary research, examining the formation of biodiesel from feed stocks such as alligator fat.

Marissa Lajaunie

Senior Instructor of Health Information Management
College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Marissa Lajaunie is a senior instructor who teaches a range of courses for the Department of Health Sciences in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences, including a health education course that focuses on professional values, ethics and legal issues. She is faculty advisor for the Health Information Management Society student organization. Lajaunie is a registered health information administrator. She has held leadership positions with the Louisiana Health Information Management Association, and earned the association’s Outstanding Volunteer Award.