2024 Provost’s Fund for Innovation in Research Awards
The largest internal funding program in LSU history, the Provost’s Fund for Innovation
in Research has invested $1.2 million in 15 interdisciplinary research teams. Aligned
with LSU’s Scholarship First Agenda, the teams and their projects aim to solve pressing
problems in Louisiana and everywhere.
This year’s Big Idea awards are categorized into five Phase 1 grants at $25,000 each (increased from $10,000 last year) to help researchers get organized; eight Phase 2 grants at $75,000 to develop preliminary data and create a long-term research agenda; and two Phase 3 grants at $250,000 to develop large, center-scale grant proposals for national impact.
In total, the funded projects will engage more than 65 faculty across nine colleges and schools on LSU’s flagship campus in Baton Rouge, extending collaboration to LSU Athletics, LSU AgCenter, Pennington Biomedical Research Center and LSU Health New Orleans. Two projects support advances in agriculture; seven projects drive discovery in biomedicine; six projects elevate the coast and environment; six projects protect the state and nation through stronger defense and cybersecurity; and six projects help secure the future of energy.
Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences Thomas Douthat (College of the Coast & Environment) will lead a team to establish the Louisiana Social, Environmental and Economic Resilience (LA-SEER) Center to advance science-driven risk and resilience management and planning. Louisiana's per-capita natural hazard losses continue to rise because of floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and more. LA-SEER will build and engage the public in using integrative models and decision tools, leading to the creation of an LSU Risk Engine. Collaborators on the project include Carol Friedland, associate professor of biological and agricultural engineering and director of LaHouse Research & Education Center (LSU AgCenter); Robert Rohli, professor of oceanic and atmospheric sciences (College of the Coast & Environment); Rubayet Mostafiz, assistant professor of research at LaHouse Research & Education Center (LSU AgCenter); Md Adil Rahim, assistant professor of research at LaHouse Research & Education Center (LSU AgCenter); Ayat Al Assi, post-doctoral associate at LaHouse Research & Education Center (LSU AgCenter). Agriculture, Coast, Defense, Energy
Associate Professor of Kinesiology Guillaume Spielmann (College of Human Sciences & Education) will lead a team to establish the first center for athletic research in Louisiana, the Center for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, to support the health and performance of student athletes as well as warfighters, astronauts and first responders. The effort expands on growing collaborations between the flagship, LSU Health New Orleans and LSU Athletics, and the historic partnership signed by LSU and Our Lady of the Lake Health in 2022. Collaborators on the project include Neil Johannsen, professor of kinesiology (College of Human Sciences & Education); Shelly Mullenix, senior associate athletic trainer (LSU Athletics); Dr. Hollis O'Neal, associate professor of medicine (LSU Health New Orleans); Dr. Robert Zura, professor of orthopedic surgery (LSU Health New Orleans); Tiffany Stewart, professor and director of the Behavior Technology Laboratory (Pennington Biomedical Research Center). Biomedicine, Defense
Assistant Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Qi Cai (College of Engineering) will lead a research team to develop an eyedrop delivery system for retinoblastoma treatment. Retinoblastoma is the most frequent intraocular tumor in children, while existing treatments can be difficult to access. In low- and medium-income countries, the mortality from retinoblastoma is therefore as high as 70 percent. The outcome of this project will be an effective and less invasive approach to treat retinoblastoma, including at home. Collaborators on the project include Cristina Sabliov, professor of biological and agricultural engineering (College of Engineering); Carlos Astete, research professor of biological and agricultural engineering (College of Engineering); Renee Carter, professor of veterinary clinical sciences (School of Veterinary Medicine). Biomedicine
Professor of Kinesiology Senlin Chen (College of Human Sciences & Education) will lead a team to map disparities of childhood health and health predictors in Louisiana communities. Louisiana is consistently ranked as one of the least healthy states in the United States. A major reason is significant health disparities across geographic areas (where we are) and socio-demographic groups (who we are). This project will conduct a statewide analysis of childhood obesity, asthma, diabetes and social and behavioral determinants of health in ages 5-11 to find elevated risk hotspots. It will also strengthen existing collaborations with the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Louisiana Healthcare Connections. Collaborators on the project include Fahui Wang, professor of geography and anthropology (College of Humanities and Social Sciences). Biomedicine
Assistant Professor of Construction Management Amirhosein Jafari (College of Engineering) will lead a research team to develop a center of human-robot collaboration for workforce development, focused on terrestrial and extraterrestrial construction. In the construction industry, there has been significant interest in automation and robotics as potential solutions to transform future construction frontiers. NASA’s Moon to Mars program, meanwhile, spurs global interest in sustained human missions. By building an immersive training environment for human-robot collaboration, the team will help create a future-ready interplanetary workforce. Collaborators on the project include Yimin Zhu, professor of construction management (College of Engineering); Andrew Webb, assistant professor of computer science (College of Engineering); Jennifer Qian, professor of education (College of Human Sciences & Education); Suniti Karunatillake, associate professor of geology and geophysics (College of Science); Jason Jamerson, assistant professor of virtual production and immersive media (College of Music & Dramatic Arts).
Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Amin Kargarian (College of Engineering) will lead a research team to develop an interconnected system-of-systems view of vital infrastructure in normal and adverse weather conditions, such as the power grid, water-sewer-stormwater systems, transportation networks and communication infrastructure—especially where low-income communities are disproportionately burdened by high energy costs. The goal of the research is to highlight hardships and develop cooperative strategies between communities and utilities to foster equitable resilience. Collaborators on the project include Celalettin Ozdemir, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering (College of Engineering); Sabarethinam Kameshwar, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering (College of Engineering); Paul Miller, assistant professor of oceanography and coastal science (College of the Coast & Environment); Frederick Weil, professor of sociology (College of Humanities & Social Sciences); Tim Slack, professor of sociology (College of Humanities & Social Sciences). Coast, Energy
Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Michael Khonsari (College of Engineering) will lead a team to establish a national center of excellence concentrated on the prediction, detection, mitigation and remediation of the degradation of materials critical to the energy transition, such as for pipes, valves and compressors used for hydrogen transport and storage. The proposed center will leverage LSU’s existing Center for Innovations in Structural Integrity Assurance, or CISIA, funded by the National Science Foundation. The project adds to recent LSU energy wins: H2TheFuture and Engines/FUEL. Collaborators on the project include Wenjin Meng, professor of mechanical and industrial engineering (College of Engineering); Les Butler, professor of chemistry (College of Science); Jyotsna Sharma, assistant professor of petroleum engineering (College of Engineering). Defense, Energy
Assistant Professor of Architecture Annicia Streete (College of Art & Design) will lead a research team to scan cultural landscapes, built environments and festivals on the Gulf Coast and in the Caribbean using drones, lidar and radiance fields. The goal of the project is to compile a rich dataset and create an immersive, high-fidelity record of coastal cultural heritage sites at risk because of natural disasters, land loss and sea level rise. Collaborators on the project include Brendan Harmon, assistant professor of landscape architecture (College of Art & Design); Brent Fortenberry, associate professor of landscape architecture (College of Art & Design); Hye Yeon Nam, associate professor of art (College of Art & Design); Farzaneh Oghazian, assistant professor of architecture (College of Art & Design). Coast
Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering Chao Sun (College of Engineering) will lead a team to advance resilient, cost-competitive and environmentally sustainable offshore wind in the Gulf of Mexico where hurricanes are a major challenge. The work will improve the design, installation, operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms while determining their effects on nearby ecosystems. Collaborators on the project include Paul Miller, assistant professor of oceanography and coastal sciences (College of the Coast & Environment); Celalettin Ozdemir, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering (College of Engineering); Junhong Liang, associate professor of oceanography and coastal sciences (College of the Coast & Environment). Coast, Energy
Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy Rui Zhang (College of Science) will lead a research team to establish a research center for personalized radiotherapy to treat and cure cancer. About two-thirds of all cancer patients receive radiotherapy, while survivors sometimes develop acute and chronic problems based on these broadly prescribed treatments. The goal of this project is to combine radiological physics, oncology, imaging, radiomics, artificial intelligence, health economics, statistical modeling and clinical trial design to improve the safety, quality and cost-effectiveness of personalized radiotherapy. Collaborators on the project include Beibei Guo, associate professor of experimental statistics (College of Agriculture). Biomedicine
Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Aaron Bivins (College of Engineering) will lead a research team to establish a wetland observatory for the Mississippi River Delta Plain and the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, now under construction. The goal is to develop predictive models for high-precision and transformative restoration of global river deltas, which are endangered by the combined effects of sea-level rise, subsidence (sinking) and human efforts to control where rivers go and don’t go, often starving surrounding wetlands of land-building river sediment. The researchers aim to look beyond the potential of river diversions and dredging to soil-microbe-plant ecosystems, which can be leveraged to enhance land building and carbon sequestration via geomorphologic and geochemical mechanisms. Collaborators on the project include Matthew Hiatt, associate professor of oceanography and coastal sciences (College of the Coast & Environment); Giulio Mariotti, associate professor of oceanography and coastal sciences (College of the Coast & Environment); Tracy Quirk, associate professor of oceanography and coastal sciences (College of the Coast & Environment). Coast, Defense, Energy
Associate Professor of Music Kamile Geist (College of Music & Dramatic Arts) will lead a research team to launch the LSU Geaux-to Center for Music Research for Children Ages 0-4. The center will enable evidence-based music intervention in early childhood education classrooms to promote social, emotional, language, motor and cognitive development. Music can change brain structures, promote neural plasticity and counteract the release of harmful stress hormones. Collaborators on the project include Cynthia DiCarlo, professor of education (College of Human Sciences & Education); Eugene Geist, associate professor of education (College of Human Sciences & Education).
Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Todd Monroe will lead a research team to develop a prototype of a platform, Smartective, that seamlessly integrates wearable devices, custom phone apps and a web-based dashboard to improve human performance and safety in the workplace, military and athletics. Initial testing is planned in partnership with Louisiana petrochemical plants. The effort combines LSU expertise in bioengineering (wearable and environmental sensors), computer science (artificial intelligence) and psychology (cognitive assessment) to prevent injury and accidents. Collaborators on the project include Melissa Beck, professor of psychology (College of Humanities & Social Sciences); Alex Cohen, professor of psychology (College of Humanities & Social Sciences); Hao Wang, assistant professor of computer science (College of Engineering); Nicholas Totaro, senior instructor of biological and agricultural engineering (College of Engineering). Agriculture, Biomedicine, Coast, Defense, Energy
Assistant Professor of Kinesiology Efthymios Papadopoulos (College of Human Sciences & Education) will lead a research team to conduct a 12-week research trial on how taurine and resistance training can combat frailty, or cumulative decline, in older African American adults. While the proportion of older adults in Louisiana has increased by 36 percent over the last decade, older African Americans—underrepresented in the biomedical literature—are four times more likely to be frail than their Caucasian counterparts. Collaborators on the project include Brian Irving, associate professor of kinesiology (College of Human Sciences & Education); Guillaume Spielmann, associate professor of kinesiology (College of Human Sciences & Education); Neil Johannsen, professor of kinesiology (College of Human Sciences & Education); Denise Holston, associate professor of nutrition and food sciences (LSU AgCenter); Matt Greene, assistant professor of nutrition and food sciences (LSU AgCenter). Biomedicine
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Fatima Rivas (College of Science) will lead a research team to naturally target and inhibit TRAP-1, a mitochondrial chaperone that is upregulated in various drug-resistant human cancer types, particularly in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients with poor response to treatment. Collaborators on the project include Marcia Newcomer, professor of biological sciences (College of Science). Biomedicine
2023 Provost’s Fund for Innovation in Research Awards
On January 18, 2023, LSU announced its largest investment in seed funding for faculty research in university history.
The Provost’s Fund for Innovation in Research, managed through the Office of Research
& Economic Development, awarded $1.1 million to 33 projects in support of strategic
priorities for the university and for Louisiana as well as LSU’s Scholarship First Agenda. The strength of the Scholarship First Agenda lies not only in how LSU can drive
research and innovation in agriculture, biomedicine, coast, defense and energy, but
combine these areas in interesting ways to solve pressing problems around the globe.
In the current round of funding, more than half of the researchers who applied to
the program received awards. Below is the full list of awardees. Please note that
LSU Scholarship First Agenda banners Bio, Coast, and Defense include the broader areas
of biotechnology and biomedicine; coast and environment; and defense and cybersecurity
for state and national security, respectively.
Associate Professor of Geology & Geophysics Suniti Karunatillake (LSU College of Science) will lead a team to develop a mission ("GANGOTRI") to Mars to investigate the geology and habitability of Martian glaciers. Alignment with NASA objectives places a Mars mission within LSU’s reach, following Assistant Professor of Physics Jeff Chancellor’s Tiger Eye 1 lunar payload. LSU’s 17-member team spans four NASA centers, a national lab, a European space center and two space technology companies. Collaborators on the project include Juan Lorenzo, associate professor of geology & geophysics (LSU College of Science), Peter Doran, professor of geology & geophysics (LSU College of Science), Maheshi Dassanayake, associate professor of biological sciences (LSU College of Science), Kory Konsoer, associate professor of geography & anthropology (LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences), and Ali Kazemian, associate professor of construction management (LSU College of Engineering). Agriculture, Bio, Defense
Professor of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Dimitris Nikitopoulos (LSU College of Engineering) will lead a team to establish an engineering or science
and technology research center focused on the structural integrity of industrial hardware
and materials (metals, alloys and fiber-reinforced polymer composites) to monitor,
assess, predict and prevent their degradation or failure. The work has clear and critical
applications in the ongoing energy transition. Collaborators on the project include
John Pojman, professor of chemistry (LSU College of Science), Joytsna Sharma, assistant
professor of petroleum engineering (LSU College of Engineering), Michael Khonsari,
professor of mechanical engineering (LSU College of Engineering), Phil Sprunger, professor
of physics & astronomy (LSU College of Science), and Robert Lipton, professor of mathematics
(LSU College of Science). Agriculture, Defense, Energy
Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering Ipsita Gupta (LSU College of Engineering) will lead a team to investigate biogeochemical interactions
to identify where and how hydrogen, a low-carbon alternative to oil and gas, may be
stored securely in Louisiana’s subsurface formations. Collaborator on the project
is Crystal Johnson, associate professor of environmental sciences (LSU College of
Coast & Environment). Coast, Energy
Associate Professor of Pathobiological Sciences Weishan Huang (LSU School of Veterinary Medicine) will lead a team to streamline the development
of synthetic, high-affinity molecular binders for rapid diagnosis and therapeutics
for emerging infectious diseases. Collaborators on the project include Jian Xu, associate
professor of electrical engineering & computer science (LSU College of Engineering)
and Gianluca Veggiani, assistant professor of biotechnology & molecular medicine (LSU
School of Veterinary Medicine). Bio, Defense
Professor of Environmental Sciences Supratik Mukhopadhyay (LSU College of Coast & Environment) will lead a team to create an AI-guided framework
for decoding the chemical and microbial indicators of permafrost degradation due to
climate change. Collaborators on this project include Aixin Hou, professor of environmental
science (LSU College of Coast & Environment), Manas Gartia, associate professor of
environmental science (LSU College of Coast & Environment), Kevin Armbrust, professor
of environmental science (LSU College of Coast & Environment), and Jacob Berkowitz,
adjunct professor oceanographer (LSU College of Coast & Environment, US Army Corps
of Engineers). Bio, Coast, Defense, Energy
Professor of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Marcio de Queiroz (LSU College of Engineering) will lead a team to investigate if a non-invasive, feedback-modulated
brain stimulation system can enhance human attention to critical tasks. The effort
will serve as a catalyst for developing a neuromodulation research initiative to enhance
human functioning in partnership with Our Lady of the Lake. Collaborators on the project
include Susan Duncan, associate professor of communication sciences & disorders (LSU
College of Humanities & Social Sciences), Heather Lucas, assistant professor of psychology
(LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences), Karim Johari, assistant professor of
communication sciences & disorders (LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences),
and Arend Van Gemmert, professor of kinesiology (LSU College of Human Sciences & Education.
Bio, Defense
Professor of Construction Management Yimin Zhu (LSU College of Engineering) will lead a team to decode the causal relationship between
human health and well-being on one side and stressors and relaxers in built environments
on the other to improve planning, design, construction and operation of engineered
space. Collaborators on the project include Jafari Amirhosein, assistant professor
of construction management (LSU College of Engineering), Melissa Beck, professor of
psychology (LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences), Supratik Mukhopadhyay, professor
of environmental sciences (LSU College of Coast & Environment), and Adrienne Katner,
associate professor of environmental & occupational health (LSU Health School of Public
Health). Bio, Coast, Energy
Assistant Professor of Architecture Fabio Capra-Ribeiro (LSU College of Art + Design) will lead a team to create a transdisciplinary collaborative
center for research and design, the Caribbean Spatial Justice Lab, to connect scholars
and communities working to advance coastal protection and restoration as well as sustainable
energy and food production. Collaborators on the project include Irene Brisson, assistant
professor of architecture (LSU College of Art + Design), Annica Streete, assistant
professor of architecture (LSU College of Art + Design), Traci Birch, assistant professor
of architecture (LSU College of Art + Design), Amirhosein Jafari, assistant professor
of construction management (LSU College of Engineering), and Helen Regis, associate
professor of geography & anthropology (LSU College of Humanities & Social Science).
Agriculture, Coast, Energy
Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences & Disorders Eileen Haebig (LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences) will lead a team to elucidate the relationship
between motor and language abilities by examining verb processing—a category of words
that is both highly associated with motor actions and highly predictive of broader
language development—in autistic children. Collaborators on the project include Christopher
Cox, assistant professor of psychology (LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences)
and Nicholas Fears, assistant professor of kinesiology (LSU College of Human Sciences
& Education). Bio
Professor of English Benjamin Kahan (LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences) will lead a team to establish the SEC’s
first Second Book Institute to facilitate the advancement and promotion of associate
professors in book-centered disciplines, where delayed promotion to full professor
disproportionately affects women and racial minorities. Collaborators on this project
include James Spencer, vice provost and dean and professor of architecture (LSU College
of Art + Design), Jas Sullivan, professor of political science (LSU College of Humanities
& Social Sciences), Robert Mann, professor of journalism (LSU Manship School of Mass
Communication), Suzanne Marchand, professor of history (LSU College of Humanities
& Social Sciences), and Pallavi Rastogi, professor of English (LSU College of Humanities
& Social Sciences).
Professor of Chemistry Mario Rivera (LSU College of Science) will lead a team to establish a platform for antibiotic
discovery at LSU that takes advantage of core research facilities on campus and springboards
from Rivera’s previous discovery of inhibitors that kill biofilm bacteria tolerant
to commercial antibiotics. Collaborator on this project is Chen Chen, assistant professor
of biological sciences (LSU College of Science). Bio
Professor of Renewable Natural Resources Terrence Tiersch (LSU College of Agriculture) will lead a team to optimize high-throughput, concentrated
algae cryopreservation as algae increasingly are used as feedstocks for bioproducts,
such as bioactive molecules, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, bioplastics, food, feed,
fuels and more. Collaborators of this project include Maria Teresa Gutierrez-Wing,
assistant research professor of renewable natural resources (LSU College of Agriculture)
and Yue Liu, assistant professor of renewable natural resources (LSU College of Agriculture).
Agriculture, Bio, Energy
Professor of English Michelle Zerba (LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences) will lead a team to investigate the
distinctive allure of mystery, and why people are so attracted to it. The Mystery
Project Collaborative seeks to explore the meaning of mystery, how it has driven the
human quest for knowledge and why it both enables and encumbers our curiosity about
the world. Collaborator on this project is Chris Barrett, associate professor of English
(LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences). Bio, Defense
Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering Kunlun Ding (LSU College of Engineering) will develop intermetallic catalysts for tandem conversion
of natural gas and carbon dioxide. Energy
Assistant Professor of Chemistry Noemie Elgrishi (LSU College of Science) will develop molecular sponges that can remove so-called
“forever chemicals” from drinking water and the environment. Bio, Coast
Assistant Professor of Kinesiology Nicholas Fears (LSU College of Human Sciences & Education) will improve the identification of motor
skill delays in autistic children; there are 25,000 autistic children in Louisiana.
Bio
Professor of Kinesiology Alex Garn (LSU College of Human Sciences & Education) will help childbearing women use three-dimensional
optical scanning technology to reduce postpartum weight retention as part of an eight-week
pilot program. Bio
Professor of Biological Sciences Craig Hart (LSU College of Science) will characterize direct promoter activation by the chromatin
domain insulator protein BEAF in fruit flies. Bio
Associate Professor of Geology & Geophysics Achim Herrmann (LSU College of Science) will learn from leading European experts on selenium isotope
geochemistry how to measure selenium at low concentrations in the environment in Louisiana.
Selenium is an essential trace element for all living organisms, but quickly becomes
toxic at higher concentrations. Agriculture, Coast, Energy
Assistant Professor of Biological & Agricultural Engineering Kevin Hoffseth (LSU College of Engineering) will move beyond quantitative measurements of limb
regeneration to predict the structural quality and function of regenerated bone using
new computational tools. Bio
Assistant Professor of Geography & Anthropology Huanping Huang (LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences) will characterize how the wind speed
decays of landfalling hurricanes have evolved over time to help with disaster preparedness
and planning. Coast
Professor of Art Kelli Kelley (LSU College of Art + Design) will pursue a visual art project on emptiness, or nothingness,
as a contemplation on the connections and interdependence of all beings and things
during a time of isolation, divisiveness and impending demise of the natural world.
Coast
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Yong Lee (LSU College of Science) will test if Salmonella-delivered fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase
or expressed PFKFB3-shRNA can decrease fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels, and thus
rapid cell cycle progression, in two human cancer cell lines. Bio
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Karen Maruska (LSU College of Science) will study the neural and molecular mechanisms of social
defeat, or bullying, in cichlid fish to learn how thyrotropin-releasing hormone signaling
can help determine whether individuals respond with resilience or susceptibility.
The work could lead to new, targeted therapeutics for stress-related disorders, such
as depression, anxiety and PTSD, in humans. Bio
Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Xiangyu Meng (LSU College of Engineering) will optimize electric vehicle platooning (driving a
group of vehicles together at the same velocity) by changing fleet formations (traditionally
in fixed positions) to maximize battery health, save energy and reduce congestion
and accidents. Energy
Assistant Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering Yen-Fang Su (LSU College of Engineering) will develop a remote sensing system for roads to assess
the real-time condition (strain, stiffness, temperature and moisture) of concrete
pavement to proactively provide maintenance plans. Coast, Defense
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Gregory Thom (LSU College of Science) will study how birds that parasitize army-ants can help
us understand the evolutionary and genomic mechanisms behind species interactions.
Bio, Coast
Associate Professor of Geography & Anthropology Jill Trepanier (LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences) will establish 10 weather stations
and organize a workshop with K-12 environmental science students and teachers to identify
best practices for learning about extreme weather and climate science. Coast, Defense
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Anastasios Vourekas (LSU College of Science) will discover new ways to target mRNA through tRNA-derived
small RNAs, or tRNA fragments, which play important regulatory roles in gene expression
in human cells. The work could help advance our understanding of basic mechanisms
of cellular response to stress and the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer and
neurodegeneration. Bio
Associate Professor of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Ying Wang (LSU College of Engineering) will develop greener energy storage technologies in the
form of biodegradable hydrogel electrolytes for metal-free ammonium-ion batteries
with high performance and reduced cost compared to lithium-ion batteries. Energy
Associate Professor of Geology & Geophysics Carol Wilson (LSU College of Science) will receive funds to service and maintain an existing array
of Rod Surface Elevation Tables with Marker Horizons (RSET-MH) that measure relative
sea-level rise in the Ganges Brahmaputra delta, one of the most vulnerable and densely
populated deltas in the world, to develop stronger resilience strategies for deltas
worldwide. Coast
Assistant Professor of Textiles, Apparel Design & Merchandising Sibei Xia (LSU College of Agriculture) will develop body-tracking wearable technology for babies.
Smart clothing, such as knitted hats made with thermochromic yarns that change color
based on temperature, can help monitor babies’ health without a need for electricity.
Bio
Professor of Renewable Natural Resources Yi-jun Xu (College of Agriculture) will study the direct human input of carbon to the Mississippi
River from wastewater treatment plants. Coast