SOAR - Louisiana Chapter
Louisiana became part of the SOAR family in July 2014. While Louisiana, unlike most of SOAR’s Chapters, has a relatively small Armenian population, their local Board of Directors brings a heartfelt level of enthusiasm that epitomizes our mission and expectations.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
David Kekejian
President
David Kekejian, Ph.D. is the Founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Quantum CodeX (QCX), an energy startup company. Dr. Kekejian is leading the charge at QCX to make nuclear physics accessible by offering an interactive platform to subscribers that eliminates the need for hard coding, code maintenance and storage problems. He also oversees the R&D of next-generation solar cell technologies.
Dr. Kekejian is originally from Aleppo, Syria. He received his Bachelor’s in Nuclear Physcis from Yerevan State University and his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University. His thesis focused on developing an effective quantum field theory framework to explain the emergence of symplectic symmetry that is observed as a dominant symmetry driving deformation in atomic nuclei.
Arshag Danageozian
Vice President
Arshag Danageozian is a postdoctoral researcher in Physics at Virginia Tech. He studies the generation of quantum states of light with utility in cutting-edge research, such as quantum communication and quantum computing, which promise broader cultural and scientific impact across various fields.
Arshag was born in Aleppo, Syria, where he went to high school. After graduating, he moved to Armenia to study theoretical physics at Yerevan State University, where he attained his Bachelor of Science degree. He then came to Louisiana to complete his PhD in physics at Louisiana State University. His doctoral thesis was on the development of adaptive techniques to counteract the degradation of quantum information that can be stored in quantum particles, such as atoms or nuclei. The ability to store quantum information can then be used for various useful applications in novel quantum technologies. Arshag has moved to Virginia Tech after obtaining his PhD, where he currently works and resides.
Gabby Moutafian
Secretary
Gabriella Moutafian is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Southeastern Louisiana University, with aspirations to attend professional school. A first-generation Armenian American born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she has a profound appreciation for her cultural heritage. Gabriella fully supports the mission and vision of the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief and is passionate about its work providing humanitarian assistance to orphaned Armenian children and adults with disabilities worldwide. As Secretary, she is devoted to contributing her aptitude and dedication to ensure that Armenians around the globe have access to the fundamental resources and opportunities necessary to thrive.