Who We Are

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 Dr. Shaun Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer of SYGNOLA, is a nationally recognized leader in the field of Wound Medicine. Renowned for his expertise, Dr. Carpenter has developed patents for innovative wound healing devices and authored numerous international publications on the science of wound healing. His groundbreaking work has advanced the field and earned him widespread recognition. Dr. Carpenter is board-certified in Emergency Medicine and holds the distinction of being a Certified Wound Specialist Physician™. He is also board-certified by the American Board of Wound Medicine & Surgery, further reflecting his dedication to excellence in his specialty. Dr. Carpenter’s academic background is as impressive as his professional achievements. He earned dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Molecular/Cell Biology and English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley, a testament to his diverse intellectual pursuits. He went on to receive his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine, where he cultivated his passion for wound medicine. Dr. Carpenter completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Louisiana State University’s Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans, also known as Charity Hospital. Over the past two decades, he has built an extensive career as a practicing physician, combining clinical expertise with innovative problem-solving.  In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Carpenter is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at Tulane University School of Medicine in the Department of Surgery. In this role, he contributes to the education and mentorship of future medical professionals, sharing his extensive knowledge and experience in wound medicine and emergency care. He is also a member of the editorial board of Today's Wound Clinic magazine, where he helps guide discourse and advancements in the field. Dr. Carpenter’s multifaceted career, blending patient care, research, innovation, and education, has positioned him as a leader in his field. His commitment to advancing the science and practice of wound healing continues to impact patients and medical professionals worldwide. 

Dr. Carpenter is the author of a groundbreaking study: Evaluating the Number of Cellular and/or Tissue-Based Product Applications Required to Treat Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Venous Leg Ulcers in Non-Hospital Outpatient Department Settings 

Dr. Desmond Bell, serves on the Research Faculty at SYGNOLA. Dr. Desmond Bell is the Founder and President Emeritus of “The Save A Leg, Save A Life” Foundation, a multi-disciplinary non-profit organization dedicated to the reduction in lower extremity amputations and improving wound healing outcomes through education, evidence-based methodology and community outreach. 

He was instrumental in the development of the technological platform that evolved into a Omeza, an evidence based medical technology company and consumer healthcare products company initially focused on healing chronic wounds and preventing their recurrence. He has served as the Chief Medical Officer of Omeza since its inception and has been involved in clinical trial development and presenting results through peer reviewed publications and within the scientific community. Dr. Bell was awarded the First Humanitarian Award by Specialty Hospital Jacksonville for 2009 and Memorial Hospital Jacksonville in 2018. He is a Board-Certified Wound Specialist (CWS) having served on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Wound Management for six years and also served for two years on the Board of the American Board of Wound Management Foundation. Dr. Bell has published numerous articles and peer reviewed research, primarily pertaining to wound management and lower extremity amputation prevention and has served as an Editorial Board Member for the publication “Today’s Wound Clinic” since its inception. He is a nationally recognized speaker, with regular faculty roles at medical conferences, including Modern Wound Care Management.

He is a graduate of Tulane University and the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

Dr. Robert J. Noveck serves on the Research Faculty at SYGNOLA. Over the past 40 years, Dr. Noveck has been deeply involved in clinical research on drugs and devices across academia, dedicated research centers, pharmaceutical/CRO industries, and the WCG IRB ethical review board. He has served as an advisor, consultant, and Principal Investigator in over 3,000 Phase I through Phase III clinical trials involving healthy subjects and patients with various underlying diseases. Dr. Noveck has extensive expertise in basic and clinical pharmacology, as well as internal and emergency medicine, all of which are board-certified. For more than 20 years, he held an IND for Reference Endotoxin, a bacterial lysate used to evaluate therapeutic drugs targeting cardiovascular, pulmonary, autoimmune, and CNS diseases by augmenting inflammatory mediators. He conducted over 20 proof-of-concept trials in more than 1,900 healthy volunteers, working with pharmaceutical sponsors, the NIH, and the FDA. This includes a safety trial evaluating a new reference lot of Endotoxin (CCRE Lot 94332B1) for the NIH’s Central Pharmacy .Dr. Noveck was Co-Director of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology in the Department of Medicine and Medical Director of Duke University’s Early Phase Proof-of-Concept Phase I Research Unit for 10 years. He also served as Co-PI on a grant to study antidepressant drugs utilizing the human endotoxin model. In addition, he has led numerous DOD, DARPA, and NIH-funded clinical trials. Notably, during the DARPA-funded Rapid Altitude and Hypoxia Acclimation (RAHA) program, he conducted two clinical trials that resulted in peer-reviewed publications [PMCID: PMC4068990, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099309, and Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2018 May;103(5):888-898].

Dr. Noveck also served as Lead Investigator for proof-of-concept clinical trials funded under the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act (RC2-DA028905). These trials developed a pulsatile-release formulation of ondansetron combined with methylphenidate for treating substance use disorders, producing encouraging results (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01290276, NCT01377662). This project continues with plans for a Phase 2B/3 trial.

Dr. Noveck’s work has focused on inflammatory processes, pathophysiological mechanisms, and oxidative stress in health conditions like depression, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune diseases. He has co-authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications, including contributions to Atkinson’s Principles of Clinical Pharmacology. Currently, Dr. Noveck conducts clinical trials as Principal Investigator for the Alliaance for Multispecialty Research, LLC, in New Orleans, Louisiana, supporting all phases of clinical research and collaborating with sponsors to design and conduct innovative trials.

Dr. Abigail Chaffin serves on the Research Faculty at SYGNOLA. Dr. Chaffin is a Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Tulane University. She is also the Program Director of the Tulane University/Ochsner Clinic Plastic Surgery residency program. She currently serves the Medical Director of the MedCentris Wound Healing Institute at Metairie.

Dr. Chaffin is Board-Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is Board-Certified by the American Board of Surgery. She is also Board-Certified by the American Board of Wound Medicine & Surgery, and the American Board of Wound Healing. Dr. Chaffin is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She is also a Certified Wound Specialist Physician. Due to her clinical and research excellence in wound medicine, she has been honored to be named as a Master of the American Professional Wound Care Association. Dr. Chaffin is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. She then received M.D. degree at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. After this, she completed a five-year residency in General Surgery at the Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center program. She then completed a two-year fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Tulane University, serving as well as Chief Administrative Resident. Dr. Chaffin has been in practice for over 17 years. She focuses her practice on wound medicine and wound reconstructive surgery, in addition to general reconstructive plastic surgery. She has a particular clinical interest in complex wound surgical reconstruction. She has been honored to receive a Top Doctor award by New Orleans Magazine for the past seven years. As well, she has received the New Orleans Magazine Exceptional Women in Medicine award for the past four years. Dr. Chaffin has published over 50 peer-reviewed publications in wound medicine and plastic surgery. She is a section editor for the ePlasty journal for the reconstructive surgery section. She also serves as an invited peer-reviewer for the Advances in Skin and Wound Care journal and the Journal of Wound Care. She has served as Primary Investigator or Co-Investigator for numerous clinical trials at Tulane University. She is an internationally and nationally recognized speaker at scientific conferences, and she frequently serves as a course faculty member and speaker for wound medicine scientific meetings including the Boswick Wound and Burn Symposium, the CAMPs Summit, and the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care. She is a Board Examiner for the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She serves as committee chair for several national plastic surgery societies including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, and the American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons. For ACAPS, she currently serves as Chair of the Research Committee. Dr. Chaffin is currently the Chair of the Assembly of State and Regional Societies for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and she is presently serving as a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Board of Directors.

Dr. Angelina Ferguson, Chief Research Officer of SYGNOLA, is a distinguished wound medicine specialist with deep roots in the Greater New Orleans region. A Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Wound Specialist, she brings comprehensive expertise to wound medicine through her extensive clinical background and specialized certifications. Her foundation in emergency medicine as a trauma registered nurse laid the groundwork for her expertise in advanced wound medicine and clinical research. After excelling in emergency medicine, Dr. Ferguson pursued advanced education, earning her Master's of Science in Nursing and establishing herself as a specialized wound medicine nurse practitioner. Her dedication to advancing the field of wound care is evidenced by her doctoral research, which focused on enhancing trauma team performance at a Level 3 trauma center.

As a leading voice in wound medicine, Dr. Ferguson has authored multiple articles and manuscripts exploring advanced treatment modalities in wound care. Her research centers on developing practical, innovative approaches to wound therapies, bridging the gap between clinical research and real-world patient care. Drawing from her extensive clinical experience and research background, Dr. Ferguson brings a unique perspective to wound care that combines her extensive experience with evidence-based wound healing strategies. Her ongoing commitment to research and clinical excellence continues to drive advancements in wound medicine treatments and patient outcomes.

 Sarah Moore, BSN, MBE, Chief Operating Officer of SYGNOLA, is a dedicated healthcare professional with a robust academic background, holding both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master’s in Bioethics from the prestigious University of Pennsylvania. Her academic journey reflects a deep commitment to understanding the intersection of clinical care and ethical practice, providing her with a unique perspective on patient-centered research and healthcare innovation. With over 12 years of research experience, Sarah has spent the last decade specializing in wound medicine. Her work has contributed to significant advancements in this field, with a focus on improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practices and innovative therapeutic approaches. Sarah’s expertise lies in bridging clinical insights with cutting-edge research to address complex challenges in wound care, making her a respected leader among her peers. Passionate about advancing technology and generating evidence, Sarah is driven by a desire to push the boundaries of healthcare innovation. She is committed to leveraging her expertise to foster impactful research and implement solutions that enhance the quality of care. Additionally, she has authored numerous publications, further demonstrating her dedication to advancing the field through rigorous research. Sarah’s unwavering commitment to progress continues to shape her contributions to the field of medicine.