As a nonprofit entity dedicated to expanding the University’s research enterprise and mobilizing critical resources, the Grambling Research and Resource Foundation, Inc. (GR2) is engineered to power the journey to R2 (Research 2) status and beyond.
At the intersection of philanthropy, discovery, and opportunity, GR2 is more than a foundation—it’s a force for transformation. As we prepare to unveil a new strategic plan in 2026, research, graduate education, and resource development have emerged as central pillars.
GR2 will serve as the launchpad for these priorities, strengthening our ability to:
Grow external research funding and capacity
Deepen graduate and faculty support
Expand public-private partnerships
Fuel student access, affordability, and innovation
Grambling State has secured more than $12 million in new research funding, affirming its momentum and growing impact in the research space.
Recent awards include:
$7 million from the National Science Foundation
$500,000 from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Additional grants from leading public and private agencies
GR2 will scale these efforts—building the infrastructure and partnerships needed to advance a culture of discovery, support interdisciplinary learning, and drive global impact across fields and communities.
— Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr.
President, Grambling State University
MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jon-Al Duplantier is a seasoned executive and board director with 25+ years in energy, legal, and governance leadership. A Grambling State and LSU Law graduate, he retired in 2020 as President of Rental Tools & Well Services at Parker Drilling. He serves on public company boards and champions HBCU advancement and opportunities for underrepresented communities.
Adonis Ducre is an entrepreneur and healthcare M&A strategist with over 15 years of leadership experience. A chemistry alumnus who also holds a Pharm.D. from UAMS and an MBA from DePaul, he advises businesses on valuations, market growth, and strategic deals. In Houston, he co-founded a startup that grew beyond $500 million in annual revenue.
Eric Moses is a seasoned financial executive at Shell USA with a strong background in mergers & acquisitions and new business development. A Grambling State and Texas A&M graduate, Eric is a CPA and Certified Internal Auditor who supports governance, scholarship, and financial strategy initiatives that build long-term institutional resilience in higher education and nonprofit spaces.
Kourtni Mason is Senior Surety Counsel at Skyward Specialty Insurance and a legal strategist specializing in litigation and regulatory risk. A Grambling State and Southern Law Center graduate, Mason mentors aspiring attorneys and advances best practices in claims management while championing equity through education, professional development, and community outreach.
Dr. Portia Singh is an entrepreneurial product leader and biomedical engineer specializing in AI-driven health technology. A computer science graduate with a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon, her career includes directing multimillion-dollar innovation portfolios at Philips Research and co-founding a healthcare startup. She advocates for women and underrepresented minorities in STEM and holds patents and publications.
Dr. Bharat Rawal is Department Head of Computer Science & Digital Technologies at Grambling State University. An international researcher in cybersecurity, AI, and quantum computing, Rawal leads efforts to expand interdisciplinary innovation and faculty research capacity, helping align Grambling State’s academic strengths with national research priorities and strategic institutional growth.
Theodore Callier serves as Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs at Grambling State University. With a background in higher education administration and STEM advocacy, Callier drives efforts to expand funding and build infrastructure. His leadership supports the university’s R2 classification goals and cultivates growth in externally funded faculty research.
Life Makarudze is the 2026–2027 Student Government Association President at Grambling State University. Makarudzebrings a forward-thinking student perspective to the GR2 Board, playing an active role in university governance, advocacy for student success, and collaborative planning—amplifying the voice of his peers to help shape the future of the institution.
Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr. is President of Grambling State University and serves as a voting director of the GR2 Foundation. A nationally recognized HBCU leader and Grambling alumnus, Lemelle is guiding the university’s evolution into a research-driven, innovation-focused institution through bold strategic planning, investment, and public-private partnerships.
Barry Pearson is Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Grambling State University. A strategic finance executive and third-generation HBCU alumnus, he brings nearly two decades of experience leading financial operations across complex, multibillion-dollar organizations. His expertise in financial planning, accounting, audit, systems modernization, and organizational transformation supports Grambling State’s long-term sustainability, strategic growth, and student success.
Brandon A. Logan serves as Vice President for University Advancement and Innovation at Grambling State and Executive Director of the GR2 Foundation. Logan leads advancement, operations, and external engagement strategies. A civic entrepreneur and Grambling alumnus, he is focused on scaling partnerships and driving the university’s research mission forward.
P.O. Box 546
Grambling, LA 71245