Director

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sean kassen - director
Sean Kassen, director, is responsible for administering all of the functions of the Parseghian Fund which includes advancing Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) disease research, fundraising, managing the grants program, and raising awareness of NPC disease. He also coordinates several events including the Bike Ride for a Cure, the Parseghian Classic, and the annual Parseghian Research Conference. He is well known for taking all of the credit for the accomplishments of the APMRF, though he knows it is his team of volunteers that actually do the work!

Previously he was the Director of Academic Advancement for the College of Science at Notre Dame where he worked to externally promote the priorities of the College of Science to individuals, companies, and foundations. It was in this role where he learned how to delegate responsibilities to others, but get all of the praise for growth in donations and research funding to the College.

Sean received his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Alma College in Alma, Michigan, and his doctoral degree in cell and molecular biology from the University of Notre Dame. His past research experience included identifying causes of a rare premature infant disease called necrotizing enterocolitis at Evanston Hospital in Evanston, Illinois and at Notre Dame his doctoral research focused on identifying the mechanisms behind retinal development and regeneration using zebrafish as a model. Once again, taking credit from a team of undergraduate and graduate students who performed all the work, Sean published a number of manuscripts on this topic.

Sean lives in Granger, IN with his wife who parents and takes care of his two daughters (while of course he sits on the couch all day and watches TV).

About Notre Dame’s Partnership: