Tulane Student Marzonet Palmer Pitches Neurotech Startup NeuraSynced with Help from Innovation Institute Mentor

For many university students, college is defined by what happens in the classroom. But for some, the opportunities extend beyond coursework. Students can work with researchers, meet entrepreneurs, find mentors and test ideas that could eventually become something much bigger.

Marzonet Palmer is doing all of that as a Tulane sophomore in the Tulane School of Professional Advancement, studying Information Technology and Cybersecurity on the pre-med track, while working toward two goals: becoming a neurosurgeon and building her first company, NeuraSynced.

Palmer transferred to Tulane this fall. She has wanted to become a doctor since she was 5, and her interest in neurosurgery took shape early. "After I learned that there were approximately 33 Black female neurosurgeons across the United States, and particularly the story of Dr. Alexa Irene Canady, the first Black female neurosurgeon in the United States, my guiding star became clear," Palmer said. “But when I started working toward medical school, I also became interested in technology.”

In high school, Palmer explored cybersecurity, coding and machine learning. She also shadowed neurosurgeons and neuroscientists at a local hospital, where she began thinking about what happens to patients after they leave. Her interest in neurological recovery is personal, too. Palmer watched her grandfather recover from a stroke and saw how difficult the process could be.  

Those experiences led her to wonder whether technology could help patients once they returned home. “I know I want to be a doctor,” Palmer said. “But I also see that there are more ways I could have an impact on patients.”

That idea became NeuraSynced, an early-stage neurotechnology company developing an AI-powered platform to monitor patients recovering at home after neurological surgery, traumatic brain injury or stroke. The platform uses EEG and fNIRS biosignals to deliver personalized rehabilitation sessions, track cognitive and motor progress, and give clinicians information about patient recovery.

Palmer's interest in business also comes from her family. She grew up around relatives who owned businesses. She did not originally set out to become an entrepreneur. A friend who was starting a company encouraged her to consider it. Palmer began looking for opportunities to learn more about startups and became involved in New Orleans' entrepreneurial community while attending Xavier University.

At New Orleans Entrepreneur Week this spring, she met GNO Inc. member Jasmine Brown, who then introduced her to Dr. Trivia Frazier. She later became a Startup Intern through GNO Inc.'s Impact Connections program, working under Temika Dixon, where she learned about startup resources and the behind-the-scenes of operating a tech startup in New Orleans.

Those connections eventually brought her to the Tulane Innovation Institute.  Palmer joined the Innovation Institute's Startup Team Mentor Program, which pairs aspiring entrepreneurs across New Orleans with experienced members of the Green Wave Innovation Network. The network includes more than 110 Tulane alumni, parents and community leaders who volunteer their time to work with entrepreneurs.

Palmer's mentor team includes Larry England, a retired distinguished software engineer at Broadcom; Guillermo Morales, CEO of Innoventyx; Neal Muni, founder and managing director of RTK Group; and Bill Palumbo, a life sciences management consultant.

These mentors, based across the country, are helping her work through practical questions that come with developing a medical technology company, including her prototype, clinical strategy, regulatory considerations, reimbursement and how the technology might eventually fit into hospital care.

"It's been a pleasure working with Marzonet. She is always highly enthusiastic, displaying continuous eagerness to learn and absorb all feedback she receives. What's particularly rewarding is seeing her coachability in action, putting feedback into practice quickly and effectively. Entrepreneurship requires expanding one's knowledge and skill set, and it's clear that Marzonet is already doing so with pleasure,” said Guillermo Morales.

That guidance is already showing results. On September 15, 2026, Palmer was selected as one of 10 finalists from 47 applicants to pitch NeuraSynced at the Tulane Innovation Institute's Open Season pitch competition at The Josephine.

For Palmer, this access is an opportunity to learn from professionals she might not encounter in her everyday life as an undergraduate.

She is also currently looking for other ways to develop NeuraSynced through the Innovation Institute, including NSF I-Corps, where she can learn more about potential customers and the market for her technology. “It's amazing how many people are willing to help you,” Palmer said. “You just have to put yourself out there.”