Louisiana’s coast is a cultural resource and economic driver for the globe. Yet, the challenges of coastal land loss brought by sea level rise, erosion and subsidence—as well as severe weather and flooding—continue to threaten the state. Next week, solutions to increase the resilience and sustainability of natural resources, communities and industries in Louisiana will be on proud display at State of the Coast.

Two LSU faculty members have been awarded a U.S. patent for a miniature, self-powered light that boosts the production of algae used for health supplements, food, dyes and biofuels.

Innovation isn’t always about the latest technology. Sometimes it’s about transforming an organization by making its people happier, healthier and more successful. At RoyOMartin, Louisiana’s largest landowner and maker of wood products, LSU alumna Donna Bailey and LSU/LSU Health Shreveport alumnus Dr. Brian Elkins have helped build an educational system as well as a healthcare system—within the company—to support RoyOMartin employees and their families.

Coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and hurricanes along the U.S. Gulf Coast are taking a serious toll on the Mississippi River deltaic system. In order for coastal communities to not only survive but thrive, there must be a coming together of engineers, industry leaders, and researchers. Thanks to an industry-university cooperative research center (IUCRC) planning grant from the National Science Foundation, LSU can start the LSU Delta Institute, which will bring together scientists, engineers, and industry to work on developing solutions for the Louisiana coast.

Artificial intelligence is proving itself an invaluable tool in many arenas, not the least of which is the fight to understand, plan for and combat the effects of our changing climate. LSU Professor Supratik Mukhopadhyay is currently doing just that, as he and a team of LSU scientists work to develop an AI tool that will help us better understand the degradation of permafrost, the layer of rock or soil beneath the surface that remains frozen year round.

Six LSU researchers have been awarded the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious grant for early-career faculty. Each was chosen because of their potential to serve as academic role models in research and education, and ability to integrate their endeavors within the context of their organization’s mission.