Mark Allen Lanoue

Last updated
Mark Allen Lanoue
Born (1966-06-06) June 6, 1966 (age 59)
Occupations
  • Scientist
  • inventor
  • musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active1984–present
Awards Space Technology Hall of Fame
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
LabelsGemini Rising Records
Website markallenlanoue.com

Mark Allen Lanoue (born June 6, 1966) is an American scientist, inventor, musician, singer, and songwriter. [1] He was inducted into NASA's Space Technology Hall of Fame for his work in developing and commercializing portable hyperspectral sensors. [2] As a lead vocalist, musician, and songwriter, he was a member of the band Biloxi and Kick the Wicked, who were nominated for a Hollywood Independent Music Award in 2023. [3]

Contents

Early life and education

Mark Allen Lanoue was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on June 6, 1966 to parents Richard and Rita Lanoue. He began playing the tenor saxophone at 13 years old and played in a marching, concert, and jazz band. He started playing the guitar when he was 17 years of age and was awarded a band scholarship. [1] [4] He received his Bachelor's Degree in computer science and his MBA at the University of Southern Mississippi. [5]

Career

Science and technology

In 1996, while Lanoue was an imaging scientist and sensor systems engineer at the Institute for Technology Development (NASA's Stennis Space Center), he was instrumental in developing the Portable Hyperspectral Sensor (significantly reducing its size); a non-invasive imaging system that would allow users of the system to analyze interactions of various targets related to its interaction with the electromagnetic spectrum. Hyperspectral sensors opened a range of new diagnostic applications to include precision farming and monitoring the health of astronauts during spaceflights. For his role in its development, he was inducted into the NASA Space Technology Hall of Fame in 2005. [2]

In 2008, Lanoue became the CEO of Themis Vision Systems. During his tenure, Themis created hyperspectral hardware, software, and algorithm development, building 40 custom systems, including three at the FBI’s hyperspectral imaging laboratory in Quantico, Virginia. Themis installed the first UV hyperspectral system in China to help with studies in forensic science and fingerprint analysis. [6] Between 2006-2013, Lanoue obtained eight patents which utilized hyperspectral sensors including developing an expert system for controlling plant growth in a contained environment at NASA's Stennis Space Center in 2009. [7] [8] In 2013, he founded PhiLumina, partnering with the Space Foundation as a Certified Space Technology Partner. [9]

In 2010, Lanoue traveled to Xi'an, China where he conducted the first hyperspectral imaging of the Terracotta Army. [10] In 2014, he presented his research on spectral matching of pigments for ancient artifacts at the 40th International Symposium on Archaeometry (ISA) at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California. [11] [12]

In 2020, Lanoue was part of a team that was awarded the Chancellor's Art and Technology grant from the University of Arkansas for The "21st Century Music Industry: Imagining a New Role for Higher Education," a collaborative project that created a new internal unit, Razorback Music. The project functioned as a student-led 21st century record label, production and entertainment company, and digital music industry platform to bridge the gap between higher education and the music and entertainment industry. [13]

In 2022, Lanoue joined the University of Arkansas College of Engineering as the managing director of the Center for High Frequency Electronics & Circuits for Communication Systems (CHECCS). [14]

In 2024, he and his colleagues at UARK, published an article, reporting a solution synthesis for achieving a new photocatalytic core–shell consisting of a titanate nanowire and reduced graphene oxide shell. The new core–shell nanocomposite maximizes a specific surface area, significantly improving detection in the RF field, which is now offered for use in the public heath sector. [15] [16] [17]

Music

Lanoue is a singer, songwriter, and musician (guitarist). He graduated from the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California in 1988. [1] He was the lead singer and guitarist for the band, Biloxi who headlined Rocklahoma in 2008. [18] [19] Lanoue is the co-founder, lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for bands Kick the Wicked and Fiction Syxx. [20] [1] In 2023, Kick the Wicked was nominated for a Hollywood Independent Music Award for Best Rock/Heavy Metal Band as well as winning a World Songwriting Award for Best Rock Song for "Firefly." [21] [22] Their single, "White Rabbit" appeared in film, Black Creek. [23]

Discography

Source: [24]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Get to Know Mark Lanoue's Inspirational Story and Amazing Music". The LA Note. April 10, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Nasa's Space Technology Hall of Fame". nasa. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  3. "HIMA Awards". Nasa. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  4. "Long Beach High School Scholarships" The Sun, Page 11, June 23, 1984
  5. "Mark Allen Lanoue". Orcid. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  6. "Hyperspectral Systems Increase Imaging Capabilities Originating Technology/NASA Contribution". NASA. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  7. "Mark Allen Lanoue". Scholar GPS. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  8. "Expert system for controlling plant growth in a contained environment". NASA. November 10, 2009. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  9. "Expert system for controlling plant growth in a contained environment". Space News. October 14, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  10. "Machine can see a promising future - Stennis spin-offs imaging products being sold to customers around the world" Sun Herald, Page C40, March 21, 2010
  11. "40th International Symposium on Archaeometry ISA 2014 #111" (PDF). ethnosalro. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  12. "From Rockets to Radiology: How NASA Boosts Cancer Research by Andrew D. Smith". Onclive. April 27, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  13. "First Recipients of U of A Chancellor's Humanities and Arts Grant Named". UARK. January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  14. "CHECCS Hires New Managing Director". UA. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  15. "CHEMISTRY & BIOCHEMISTRY FACULTY PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS - Efficient Photocatalytic Core–Shell Synthesis of Titanate Nanowire/rGO". UARK. January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  16. "Efficient Photocatalytic Core–Shell Synthesis of Titanate Nanowire/rGO". MDPI. January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  17. "Development of a High-Efficiency, Low-Cost Wireless Pathogen Detection Sensor for Public Health Applications". UARK. January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  18. "Biloxi Ready to Unleash a Storm of Rock 'n' roll" Sun Herald, Page 109, June 20, 2008
  19. "Jazz, Rock or Blues: Long Beach fest will have the tunes you crave" Sun Herald, Page 85, August 8, 2008
  20. "Kick the Wicked - Drag Magnet". Rock n Reviews. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  21. "HIMA Awards". Nasa. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  22. "Winter 2023 Winning Entries". World Songwriting Awards. April 10, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  23. "Kick the Wicked! Band to be featured in upcoming movie @3:28". Good Day NWA. September 18, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  24. "Mark Allen Lanoue Discography". Discogs. https://www.discogs.com/artist/780091-Mark-Allen-Lanoue?superFilter=Credits.{{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |date= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)