You've just identified the core of your story.
Forget backstory and setting in this instance I suggest revers engineering your concept from the goal.
Goal - Stop the man running the institute.
Now ask; why does the MC need to do this?
The answer should be as a result of a specific event that happened to the MC.
A few suggestions would be;
The man conducted an un ethical experiment on the MC he now needs revenge and wants to prevent this from happening to others.
The man killed the MC's family or friends he now needs revenge and wants to prevent this from happening to others.
The man illegally lobotomised the MC's family or friends he now needs revenge and wants to prevent this from happening to others.
There are many more options I'm sure so pick the best one and use that as the inciting incident.
Use that to start your logline then describe your character briefly and write in the goal.