LSU'S Biweekly Newsletter for Faculty & Staff
December 3. 2004 |
VOL. 21, NO. 8 |
Thanks to the work of an international group that includes LSU Computer Science Assistant Professor Bijaya B. Karki, researchers from around the world may soon be able to conduct computational experiments online in a “virtual laboratory.”
Karki is part of a small group of researchers from around the country and world sharing in a $2.8 million National Science Foundation Information Technology Research grant for the creation of a “Virtual Laboratory for Earth and Planetary Studies.” Karki’s portion of the grant is $100,000. Other universities involved include the University of Minnesota, the lead institute; the University of California, Santa Barbara; and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Researchers from Italy and Britain are also working on the project.
Essentially, the project will create a Web portal through which researchers can share data and conduct virtual “experiments” using computer simulation and visualization techniques. The technology behind the portal will allow data to be analyzed and represented in a graphical form.
Karki explained that the online lab focuses on earth and planetary studies because material simulations and experimentation often require high temperatures and high pressures that cannot be replicated in a traditional laboratory. However, he said, extreme conditions could be accurately simulated in the portal environment.
For his part, Karki will be working on some of the automated tasks and functions of the portal. He is also developing some of the algorithms that will allow for simulation and visualization. The computer servers that will “house” the project will be located at the University of Minnesota, which has the most researchers working on the project, including the lead or principal investigator.
Ultimately, Karki said, the “lab” will not be the exclusive province of earth scientists, as it could also be utilized for experimentation in physics or chemistry. In addition, the portal could eventually be used by students and non-specialists who wish to download data.
“ It will have an interactive and user-friendly interface,” said Karki.
Karki joined the faculty at LSU in early 2003. His research interests are in scientific computing and visualization and he has published more than 25 journal papers in these areas. Thus, the new NSF-funded project falls right into his realm of specialization.
Indeed, earlier this year, Karki received a prestigious NSF CAREER grant for a project titled “Rheology of Materials of Earth’s Mantle: High-end Computational/Visualization Research and Education.” The NSF CAREER Award is the Foundation’s top award for junior faculty members. It is part of the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program, which “recognizes and supports the early career-development activities of those teacher-scholars who are most likely to become the academic leaders of the 21st century.”
Karki received his doctorate in computational physics from the University of Edinburgh (U.K.) and a diploma with honors from the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy. Before taking a faculty position in LSU’s Department of Computer Science, he worked as a research scholar at the University of Minnesota Supercomputing Institute for Digital Simulation and Advanced Computation and in LSU’s Biological Computation and Visualization Center.
After repeated findings that the Baton Rouge area is in violation of federal air quality regulations, state officials recently ordered installation of equipment for detecting the source of the problem.
As it happens, LSU Environmental Studies Professor Ed Overton may have just the device to aid in solving Baton Rouge’s air quality mystery.
Overton has been involved in an LSU research project that is part of a federal government-sponsored program to develop hand-held instrumentation for detecting chemical warfare agents and their building blocks.
While involved with this project, Overton developed and patented a new gas chromatography, or “chemical detector,” device for sampling and analyzing air components.
Essentially, the new device involves a process whereby air samples are captured by a small sampling mechanism and run through tiny, hair-sized heated columns to separate the chemical components or contents. A small, attached computer system handles the data processing and turns the instrument’s output into useful information.
According to Overton, the new device is basically a smaller, mobile version of an environmental monitoring device used in chemical manufacturing plants around the world for detection of such things as “highly reactive, volatile chemical compounds.”
The older device is a large, lab-bound piece of machinery that requires a substantial amount of power to operate. Using it requires that air samples be taken from targeted areas and transported back to a lab for an analysis.
The new device, he said, is much faster, smaller, more light-weight and requires far less power. In addition, it can be taken into the field, where it can analyze air samples on the spot and produce results in minutes.
“ It is comparable to going from a mainframe computer to a desktop to a laptop PC,” he said.
Overton said he has formed a company to commercialize the device – called the microFAST GC – and it is now in its first round of mass production. The plan, he said, is to market the device to the chemical industry worldwide.
Looking ahead, Overton is already working on the development of the “next generation” of his device, one that will be hand-held or roughly the size of a cell phone.
Overton said the new, smaller device under development would not be possible without LSU’s Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices, or CAMD. Indeed, he explained, the facility provided the technology necessary for producing the device’s tiny parts and for testing the devices.
The career of LSU professor Robert J. Edgeworth as teacher and scholar spanned nearly four decades.
On Oct. 22, Edgeworth passed away. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and two daughters, Julia and Antonia.
His encyclopedic intellect and dignified bearing made him a captivating presence outside of academic circles as well.
His love of language and knowledge of popular trivia led to successful appearances on the game shows “Jeopardy,” “Wheel of Fortune,” “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” and others.
In case you were wondering, Edgeworth did win $43,210 and a fire-engine red Acura Legend on “Wheel of Fortune.” He also won a Caribbean cruise and a vacation to Disneyworld on “Jeopardy.”
While on the cruise, he won another one, playing bingo. He even made it to the $500,000 question on Who Wants to be a Millionaire, before risking it all to get to the $1 million question. To know whether or not he could answer the $1 million question, he later confessed to a colleague, was more important than the money.
His abiding passion for politics included service to the Louisiana Republican Party as parliamentarian.
And his bravery and candor in combatting cancer in the last several years illuminated the strength and spirit he displayed in all facets of his life.
A native of Chicago, Ill., Edgeworth received his bachelor’s in Latin from Loyola University in 1967 and followed quickly with a master’s at the University of Michigan.
After college, he returned to his high school alma mater, Quigley South High School in Chicago, where he taught Latin until he resumed his studies at Michigan, completing his Ph.D. in 1974.
His next appointment took him to Australia National University, where he lectured for six years. After a brief stay at San Diego State University, Edgeworth came to LSU where he would remain for the rest of his career.
His scholarship always reflected the depth and precision of his expertise. Dozens of articles brought incisive commentary on a wide range of literature, from Greek lyric poetry to Senecan tragedy, from Lucian to modern novelists. He was captivating as a presenter of papers, explicating elliptical references in the satires of Juvenal or expounding on the broad humanity of Vergil.
Likewise, he was a driving force in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at LSU, whether directing the graduate program in comparative literature, the classical languages section of the department, or simply serving as a constant source of information and leadership.
Students and colleagues alike were drawn by his ability and by his gentlemanly manner. His office became known as the “Oracle at Delphi” because they could go there, ask any question and receive an answer.
Edgeworth taught his classes at the highest level, and challenged his students to be scholarly and professional. He was a scholar and in every sense of the word, a teacher.
When the Louisiana Business and Technology Center was created 16 years ago, it was Baton Rouge’s first and only small business incubator. Today, LBTC is an engine for economic development in Louisiana, providing the essentials for entrepreneurs and businesses in start-up and sustaining modes.
“ The E. J. Ourso College of Business Administration stresses relevant academic programs and promotes economic development. LBTC is an integral part of this strategy. Through LBTC, undergraduate and MBA students, faculty and local entrepreneurs have the opportunity to work together for the benefit of Louisiana,” said Robert Sumichrast, dean of the E. J. Ourso College.
LBTC opened its doors at LSU in November of 1988. LSU, the Greater Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce and the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority partnered to create the LBTC. That same year, LBTC established a Small Business Development Center.
The incubator concept is based on the theory that if an incubator could help 20 entrepreneurs grow their businesses by 10 jobs each, then 200 diversified jobs with potential longevity would be created. LBTC acts on this mission through tenant companies, which are housed in four buildings on LSU’s campus, and through outreach to client companies.
Currently, LBTC has 22 tenants, which provide 75 jobs, pay more than $2 million in payroll, bring in more than $6 million in sales and purchase more than $3 million in goods and services annually. More than 8,000 jobs have been created through LBTC since 1988, and more than 100 companies have graduated from the incubator to independence.
In 1992, LBTC branched out across state lines to open an office at the NASA Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, primarily as a technology liaison between federal labs and Louisiana businesses. In 1999, this office began aggressively promoting the Small Business Innovation Research program. LBTC clients won more than $9 million in SBIR grants in 2003 and 2004 alone, which, combined with direct sales resulting from these grants, have had a nearly $18 million impact in Louisiana.
Nationally, LBTC has earned a reputation as a top performer among incubators and Small Business Development Centers. The National Business Incubation Association and the United States Department of Commerce ranks LBTC the third highest producer of technology jobs, and LBTC received “best practices” accolades from the national SBDC review team. Thanks to LBTC’s work helping clients win grants, Louisiana is among the top 30 states with businesses receiving SBIR grants and Department of Defense awards, and fourth in the nation in the number of USDA awards won. LSU and the E. J. Ourso College of Business were named the third most entrepreneurial campus in the country by Forbes.com and The Princeton Review, which based their rankings on entrepreneurial offerings and outreach, including incubators such as LBTC.
In 2004, LBTC added a new form of outreach to the counseling and training services it offers. LBTC, the E. J. Ourso College and the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report teamed up to hold the first “New Ventures Business Plan Competition.” Entrepreneurs competed by presenting business plans to a panel of judges in hopes of winning a spot as a tenant of LBTC and various other necessary business services, totaling approximately $20,000 in prizes.
Ten LSU alumni, including former LSU and NFL quarterback Bert Jones and FBI spokesperson Cassandra Chandler, were recognized by the LSU Alumni Association at its Hall of Distinction awards ceremony, Nov. 19.
The ceremony was held at the Lod Cook Alumni Center.
The LSU Alumni Association Hall of Distinction recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves and LSU through their careers, their personal and civic accomplishments, their volunteer activities and their loyalty to their alma mater.
Included in the Hall of Distinction awards ceremony is the prestigious Alumnus of the Year Award. One individual is singled out not only for his or her distinguished accomplishments, but also for his or her loyalty and generosity to the university and the LSU Alumni Association.
The LSU Alumni Association, formerly known as the LSU Alumni Federation, began recognizing distinguished alumni in 1966, when the Alumnus of the Year Award was bestowed upon military hero Maj. Roy J. Young. The tradition continued until 1981, when the Hall of Distinction was created to recognize and honor more alumni and other outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to society and whose achievements have brought credit and distinction to LSU.
In 1984, a selection committee was created and included four representatives of the association, along with four representatives of the faculty and staff within the LSU System. Each committee representative, whose name remains anonymous, serves a staggered three-year term and is charged with the task of reviewing hundreds of nominations and casting votes for the top candidates. The final candidates are reviewed and voted on by the Honors and Awards Committee and presented for final approval to the board of directors of the LSU Alumni Association.
The LSU Alumni Association began accepting nominations for its “Young Alumnus of the Year” award in the winter of 1999. The award is specifically for alumni under the age of 40 who have attained prominence early-on through their efforts in commerce, industry, technology, agriculture, engineering, the arts, science, education, government, or other worthy endeavors. This year marks the first year of its inclusion in the Hall of Distinction.
The 2004 honorees are:
Eduardo Aguirre, Jr. – Houston, Texas (1969, bachelor’s degree, Business Administration) Aguirre is the first director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, an Under Secretary rank position in the Department of Homeland Security. President George W. Bush nominated him to this key leadership position in February 2003.
James Bernhard, Jr. – Baton Rouge, La. (1976, bachelor’s degree, Construction Management) Bernhard is the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of The Shaw Group Inc., a Fortune 500 company offering a broad range of services to the power, process, environmental, infrastructure and emergency response markets.
Cassandra M. Chandler – Washington, D.C. (1979, bachelor’s degree, Journalism) Chandler has risen in rank from a special agent with the FBI through numerous positions and is currently the assistant director of the Office of Public Affairs and the FBI’s national spokesperson. She was permanently assigned to the position by FBI director Robert Mueller on August 7, 2003.
Sally Clausen – Baton Rouge, La. (1967, bachelor’s degree, Health, Physics and Safety Education; 1971, master’s degree, Education Administration; 1980, Ph.D., Education Administration) Clausen is president of the University of Louisiana System. There are eight universities under her governance: Grambling, Louisiana Tech, McNeese, Nicholls, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, and University of Louisiana at Monroe. These eight universities serve 83,000 students, with a total annual operating budget of approximately $800 million.
Marvin R. Clemons (Deceased) – Pensacola, Fla. (1950, bachelor’s degree, Engineering) Clemons founded Southern Balance Inc. in June 1966 and served as president and general manager of operations since its inception. Southern Balance Inc. is an engineering company specializing in the testing, adjusting and balancing of mechanical systems, including air, hydronics, sound, vibration testing and analysis.
Mark P. Freeman, Jr. – Palm Springs, Calif. (1954, bachelor’s degree, College of Arts & Sciences) Freeman served as executive vice president and national sales manager of Angeles Securities, specializing in real estate partnerships from 1978 to 1987, when he joined American Funds Distributors, the third largest mutual fund company in the U.S., as senior vice president. Freeman retired in 2000 at the age of 68. Bert H. Jones – Simsboro, La. (1974, bachelor’s degree, Business Administration) Jones is part owner and manager of Mid-States Wood Preservers Inc., a lumber treating plant in Simsboro, La. He has served as the chairman and public service announcer for the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission and presently serves as national chairman for both the Treated Wood Council and American Wood Preservers Institute. He also serves on the board of directors for the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau, Louisiana Wildlife Foundation, and White Lake Preservation Inc. He played football for the LSU Tigers and also played in the NFL.
Gloria D. Kellum – Oxford, Miss. (1965, bachelor’s degree, Secondary Education; 1967, master’s degree, Speech Pathology; 1981, Ph.D., Speech Pathology) Kellum helped launch the speech and hearing program at the University of Mississippi that has grown into the Department of Communicative Disorders. She was named vice chancellor for University Relations for the University of Mississippi in 1998 and oversaw the Commitment of Excellence Campaign that brought in $525.9 million in private gifts. The university’s endowment has nearly tripled under her leadership.
Young Alumnus of the Year
Quy “Charlie” Ton – Baton Rouge, La. (1995, bachelor’s degree, Chemical Engineering) Ton earned his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering in 1995. At 34 years old, he is the owner of more than 700 Regal Nails salons, four Charlie’s Coffee shops, six warehouses and a manufacturing plant.
Alumnus of the Year
Charles Howard Barré – Baton Rouge, La. (1967, bachelor’s degree, Industrial Chemistry) Barré retired as director and vice president of refining from Marathon Oil Company in Findlay, Ohio, in 1984. Barré has served on the boards of the Companie Ibericia Refinadora de Petroles of Madrid, Spain; Erdol Refinere Mannheim, Mannheim, West Germany; San Francisco Plantation Foundation; Marathon Oil Foundation; and the National Petroleum Refiners’ Association. Barré was inducted into the LSU Alumni Association’s Hall of Distinction in 1991.
An LSU scientist has achieved national recognition for her research on the shortest pulses of light ever created – pulses that could reveal important new information about some of nature’s tiniest building blocks.
Ultimately, this light-pulse research could help remove one of the last barriers preventing scientists from understanding the microscopic processes underlying daily existence and allow researchers to record the motion of electrons as they move inside atoms and semiconductors. In turn, this would open up a new window on processes like chemical bonding and electrical conductivity, which could prove valuable in the production of “designer molecules” by the pharmaceutical industry or extremely fast electronic circuits.
For her work on this area of atomic and optical physics, LSU Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy Mette B. Gaarde has been selected to receive a National Science Foundation CAREER Award. The NSF CAREER Award is the Foundation’s most prestigious award for junior faculty members. It is part of the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program, which “recognizes and supports the early career-development activities of those teacher-scholars who are most likely to become the academic leaders of the 21st century.” CAREER Award recipients are selected on the basis of creative career-development plans that effectively integrate research and education within the context of the missions of their institutions.
The CAREER Award involves grant support of close to a half million dollars over a five-year period. Gaarde’s award grant will be effective June 1 of next year. She was selected for her work on so-called “attosecond” pulses of light, as well as an educational component that involves enhancing secondary education teacher preparation in physics.
Attosecond pulses are produced in the interaction between intense, ultra-short laser pulses and atoms in the gas phase. One attosecond is one billionth of a billionth of a second.
Essentially, these pulses – the shortest pulses of light ever produced – act almost like an ultra-fast strobe light, capturing “snapshot” looks at electrons in the act of rearranging themselves during events such as chemical bonding. For her research in this area, Gaarde is actively collaborating with three experimental groups: one at Ohio State University; one in Lund, Sweden; and another in Zurich, Switzerland.
“ In the history of science, great advances have often come as a result of breaking barriers in the time domain,” said Gaarde. “Our understanding of biological processes, surface chemistry and molecular dynamics have all been aided by the development of ever-shorter pulses of light.”
Gaarde explained that, in order to study an event – such as electron rearrangement – unfolding in time, it is necessary to probe its status several times during its evolution.
“ As an example, when an apple falls from a tree and on to the ground, we can visually probe that process because we can see – and our brains can process – the path the apple follows as it is falling,” she said. “We could also film the process with a camera and, if the shutter speed was fast enough, the different still pictures would show the apple in different heights over the ground as it was making its way down. What this simple example illustrates is that the probe of the evolution of a time-dependent process needs to be significantly shorter than the process itself.”
Thus, she said, using attosecond pulses of light, researchers can study the evolution of events that unfold on a minuscule time scale.
In addition to the research, Gaarde’s plans for her CAREER Award grant include an educational effort. She will work to help LSU develop “rigorous, content-based physics courses for secondary education teachers” in order to “better qualify them for teaching physics in grades 6-12.”