College of Science Media Center  

The American Chemical Society, or ACS, one of the world's largest scientific societies with over 200,000 members globally, has named Zakiya Wilson-Kennedy, Associate Dean for Academic Innovation & Engagement for the College of Science and Ron and Dr. Mary Neal Distinguished Associate Professor of Chemistry Education, a 2024 ACS Fellow. The prestigious honor recognizes Wilson-Kennedy's outstanding achievements and contributions to science, the profession, and the community.

LSU Geology and Geophysics PhD student Danielle Noto joined the NSF-funded IODP Expedition 401 aboard the JOIDES Resolution. The 60-day mission studied ancient water exchanges between the Mediterranean and Atlantic, aiming to understand their impact on local and global climate. Noto's work continues at LSU, focusing on palynology to uncover more about Earth's climatic history.

Two faculty members from the College of Science, Sophie Warny and Joseph Giaime, have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), joining the distinguished 2023 class of 502 honorees. The AAAS, renowned as the world's largest general scientific society, recognizes individuals for their significant scientific and societal contributions across 24 disciplines.

LSU Assistant Professor Matthew Chambers has received a prestigious $875,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop energy-efficient chemical processes aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the petrochemical industry. His research focuses on using abundant metals, like cobalt, to produce vital chemicals under milder conditions, decreasing energy consumption. Chambers’ work on improving the hydroformylation process, which is key to manufacturing various consumer goods, could significantly cut the environmental impact of this major industrial reaction. He is one of only 91 early-career scientists nationwide to receive this funding.

LSU Assistant Professor Igor Schneider has been awarded a $1.2 million grant to investigate the genetic mechanisms behind limb regeneration, a trait present in some animals but lost in humans over evolution. Supported by the NSF EDGE program, this groundbreaking research aims to uncover the genetic toolkit for limb and fin regrowth. Collaborating with Harvard and UC Irvine, the team will identify key genes and regulatory elements to understand the loss of regenerative capacity in humans and explore new avenues for regenerative medicine.

All vertebrates, including humans, share a common ancestor with fish, with lungfish being our closest living relatives. Assistant Professor Igor Schneider and a team of 25 international researchers share exciting new findings in a study published in the journal Nature, shedding light on how our four-legged ancestors transformed fins into limbs to conquer land.

College life today brings challenges that go far beyond academics, as students navigate personal growth, future planning, and other pressures that affect their mental well-being. A 2022 report by the American Psychological Association highlights that nearly 46% of young adults aged 18 to 35 struggle to function due to stress on most days. Similarly, a Gallup poll in March 2023 revealed that 66% of college students reported high levels of stress, and 51% said they were worried for much of the day. Recognizing the importance of mental health support, LSU’s College of Science (COS) has integrated mental wellness initiatives into its Strategic Plan 2030. This plan emphasizes expanding mental health resources and educating faculty and staff about available support, aiming to create a supportive, inclusive environment that prioritizes students' mental well-being. From orientation through graduation, the COS is committed to helping students thrive.

When we think of mathematics, oyster farming might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, in the heart of Louisiana, a fascinating project is unfolding that bridges mathematics, biology, and machine learning. Oyster farmers spend countless hours manually sorting and counting tiny oyster seeds in Petri dishes, a task that is both labor-intensive and time-consuming. To streamline this process and support the oyster farming industry, Dr. Drenska and her colleague, Dr. Peter Wolenski, Professor of Mathematics at LSU, along with Sarah Bodenstein from Louisiana Sea Grant Research Lab, decided to harness the power of machine learning.

For many budding scientists, the journey to a research career begins with a spark of curiosity about the natural world. For Caitlin Billiot, an LSU alum and soon-to-be PhD graduate from The University of Alabama at Birmingham, that spark was ignited early on through a fascination with dinosaurs and the unseen organisms that impact human health. In this Q&A, Billiot shares her path from childhood curiosity to pursuing a PhD in microbiology. She reflects on the pivotal experiences and mentors at LSU that shaped her journey, offering advice to current students seeking to forge their own paths in science.