Tag: Louisiana State University

How LSU’s New Certificate Addresses the Future of Digital Infrastructure

Louisiana State University recently announced the launch of a new Digital Twin Design and Production Certificate, positioning the institution at the forefront of one of the fastest-growing technologies shaping modern industry and digital infrastructure. Developed through a collaboration between academic leaders and private-sector experts, the program was designed to prepare professionals for the expanding use of digital twins across construction, manufacturing, energy, and other sectors critical to Louisiana’s economy. More information about the university’s engineering and digital infrastructure initiatives can be found through the LSU College of Engineering, while details about online delivery are available via this news release from LSU.

Digital twins are virtual, continuously updated models that mirror physical assets, systems, or processes in real time. These tools allow organizations to simulate conditions, predict outcomes, identify inefficiencies, and address safety concerns before costly failures occur. From monitoring bridge integrity to optimizing factory operations or improving supply chain performance, digital twins are increasingly central to how complex systems are managed. Industry analysts frequently cite their ability to reduce downtime and operational costs while improving decision-making, particularly in infrastructure-heavy regions like Louisiana.

Registration for the certificate program is now open, and LSU officials noted that it is the first digital twin certificate in the nation co-developed by both academic and industry experts. The program consists of seven fully online courses that combine case studies, guided tutorials, and hands-on learning activities. Participants learn how digital twins are designed, what technologies support them, and how they are deployed to track and improve real-world systems. Coursework also includes practice using widely adopted software platforms and instruction on calculating deployment costs and return on investment. Additional details about certificate offerings are available through LSU Continuing Education.

Beyond technical development, the certificate places a strong emphasis on understanding the broader implications of digital twin technology. Participants explore topics such as data ethics, intellectual property considerations, cybersecurity concerns, and legal risks associated with modeling real-world systems. Program leaders emphasized that these non-technical dimensions are essential for professionals who will be responsible not only for building digital twins but also for managing them responsibly within organizations. This interdisciplinary approach aligns with broader conversations in higher education about responsible innovation and workforce readiness, as outlined by the U.S. Department of Education.

The digital infrastructure certificate was created through a partnership between the LSU College of Engineering, LSU Online, the Baton Rouge–based consultancy DigiTwin Global, and the global engineering software firm Bentley Systems. According to LSU Engineering Dean Vicki Colvin, understanding when digital twins are worth the investment—and how to use them effectively—is becoming a baseline skill for future engineers and business leaders. She noted that demand for these competencies is growing rapidly in construction, manufacturing, energy, agribusiness, and healthcare, all of which play major roles in Louisiana’s economy.

Development of the program was led by Marwa Hassan, associate dean of academic affairs in the College of Engineering, and Kappie Mumphrey, vice president of LSU Online. The development team included LSU engineers, computer scientists, digital designers, and online learning specialists, as well as industry software professionals. Contributors also included faculty from the E.J. Ourso College of Business and leadership from Forte and Tablada, a Baton Rouge engineering firm whose executives co-founded DigiTwin Global. Additional context on LSU’s business programs is available through the Flores MBA Program.

Program developers emphasized practicality as a defining feature of the certificate. Several courses include direct interaction with professional-grade digital twin software, including platforms developed by Bentley Systems. Industry leaders involved in the program noted that Louisiana’s extensive industrial and coastal infrastructure makes the state an ideal environment for applying digital twin technology at scale. Looking ahead, LSU is exploring the creation of a full bachelor’s degree in digital twin technology, while DigiTwin Global is planning a regional symposium on the topic in February—signaling continued momentum for this emerging field.

For more education-related information, click here.

40% and Rising: The Out-of-State Surge at Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University has increasingly become a national draw, with nearly 40% of its freshmen now hailing from beyond state lines. According to this article from The Advocate, this growing trend has not only reshaped the university’s student demographics, but also sparked both enthusiasm and concern from various corners of the state.

During a recent campus tour, LSU admissions counselor Danielle Hawkins welcomed a group of middle and high school students visiting from Tampa, Florida. When she asked how many had attended a Mardi Gras parade, only a few hands went up—an indication of how unfamiliar some of these prospective students were with Louisiana culture. Hawkins embraced the moment with a warm laugh, highlighting just how far-reaching LSU’s recruiting efforts have become.

Over the past decade, the number of out-of-state undergraduates at LSU has nearly tripled. According to fall 2024 enrollment data, the university now serves over 34,000 undergraduates, with more than 12,000 of those students coming from other states. Meanwhile, the number of Louisiana-based undergrads has increased by only 2%, totaling around 20,300.

This shift hasn’t happened by chance. LSU has actively expanded its recruitment strategies to attract students from across the U.S.—especially from populous states like Texas, Florida, and Georgia, as well as from more distant places like New York, Illinois, and California. University officials say this effort is designed to boost the academic caliber of the student body, strengthen LSU’s national reputation, and increase revenue, since out-of-state students pay higher tuition.

President William Tate IV, who has led Louisiana State University since 2021, emphasized in a previous interview that the goal is to bring in top-tier students from both inside and outside Louisiana. His message to the admissions team was clear: excellence knows no borders.

LSU’s strategy is not unique. Many public universities, especially those in the South, have long turned to out-of-state students to offset budget constraints and declining in-state enrollment. The University of Alabama and the University of Mississippi, for example, each enroll freshmen classes where more than 60% come from other states. Alabama even has recruiters embedded in Louisiana, highlighting the competitive nature of student recruitment in the region.

Still, LSU’s rapid rise in out-of-state enrollment has drawn scrutiny from Louisiana lawmakers. Some worry the university’s resources are being diverted away from local students. State Representative Kim Carver raised a pointed concern: if many out-of-state students leave Louisiana after graduating, is the state truly benefiting from its investment in their education?

From an administrative perspective, however, the strategy appears to be working. Danny Barrow, Louisiana State University’s vice president of enrollment and student success, noted that only 17% of LSU’s Baton Rouge freshmen were from other states when he joined the university in 2017. That figure has now more than doubled to 40%. LSU uses data to guide its outreach, focusing recruitment in states with large numbers of high school graduates.

In addition to academic offerings, LSU’s appeal lies in its culture—football games, active Greek life, and a quintessential southern campus experience. Amenities like a recreation center featuring a climbing wall and a “leisure river” shaped like the university’s initials help sweeten the deal. The cost is also competitive. LSU’s out-of-state tuition and fees, which hover around $29,000 annually, are lower than many other flagship institutions.

Yet for all its success recruiting beyond Louisiana, LSU is facing pressure to ensure it doesn’t neglect its core mission: serving the state’s students. Lawmakers have raised concerns about inconsistent or delayed scholarship communications and the perception that other universities are more aggressive and transparent in their aid offerings. High-achieving Louisiana students, like Tobey Mitchell of Jefferson Parish, have sometimes found more generous support from out-of-state schools, even after being accepted to LSU’s honors program.

For more education-related information, click here.

From Landfills to New Products: LSU’s Plastic Recycling Revolution

Researchers at Louisiana State University (LSU) have developed an innovative, low-cost method to plastic recycling waste, offering a promising solution to one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. As per this article from LSU, this breakthrough technology could not only save billions of dollars annually but also significantly reduce the billions of tons of plastic pollution currently burdening the planet.

James Dorman, a program manager with the U.S. Department of Energy and former LSU Chemical Engineering professor, emphasized the importance of this advancement. He noted that recycling plastic involves more than just delivering it to a recycling plant; it also requires finding ways to reuse the waste effectively. According to Dorman, approximately 95% of plastic in the U.S. ends up in landfills or incinerators. The new method developed at LSU addresses this issue by breaking down common commercial plastics like polystyrene and high- and low-density polyethylene, allowing the recycled materials to be seamlessly reused in the production of new products.

The groundbreaking plastic recycling process, devised by Dorman and LSU Chemical Engineering Professor Kerry Dooley, employs electromagnetic induction heating in combination with specialized magnetic materials and catalysts. Unlike traditional recycling methods that rely on pyrolysis—a high-temperature process that produces significant greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen—this method melts plastics from the inside out using electromagnetic waves. This approach requires far less energy and produces only minimal amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

One of the unique advantages of this plastic recycling method is its adaptability. By operating at lower temperatures and allowing for precise control over the breakdown process, the technique can handle contaminants like food residues, which are often a barrier in traditional recycling systems. For instance, yogurt containers often end up in landfills because food residue contaminates the recycled material. The LSU method, however, can manage such contaminants, making it far more effective than conventional systems.

The journey of plastics typically begins with fossil fuels. Oil and natural gas are heated to create smaller molecules like ethylene and propylene, which are the foundational building blocks of plastics. These monomers are linked to form long-chain molecules known as polymers, which make up various types of plastic. Dorman explained that their method retains the essential monomers during the recycling process, enabling them to be reintegrated into the production of new plastics. For example, ethylene extracted from polyethylene during recycling can be reused to manufacture fresh polyethylene.

The economic implications of this method are significant. Ethylene, a highly valuable chemical, commands a global market worth approximately $150 billion. By recycling chemicals like ethylene and propylene, the LSU researchers aim to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Dooley highlighted that this extraction process not only cleans up the environment but also transforms what was once considered waste into a lucrative resource.

LSU Vice President of Research and Economic Development Robert Twilley lauded the innovation as a pivotal step toward building a research platform focused on energy resilience. He noted that by enhancing the recycling of carbon-based materials and reducing carbon emissions, LSU is addressing critical environmental challenges and paving the way for a sustainable energy future.

This innovation is part of LSU Innovation’s broader efforts to maximize the university’s impact on Louisiana’s intellectual, economic, and social development. LSU Innovation oversees a 200-acre business incubator known as LSU Innovation Park, which supports early-stage tech companies. It also manages the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network, providing free consulting services to small businesses statewide. Through initiatives like the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program, LSU Innovation educates faculty, students, and the community on entrepreneurial principles, helping innovators identify market opportunities for scientific advancements.

The development of this low-cost, energy-efficient recycling process exemplifies LSU’s commitment to addressing global challenges through research and innovation. By creating a practical and scalable solution to plastic waste, LSU is not only reducing environmental harm but also fostering economic growth through technological advancements.

For more education-related information, click here.

LSU Amongst Top Research Universities per National Science Foundation

Louisiana State University (LSU) has once again demonstrated its prominence in academic research, with the National Science Foundation (NSF) confirming the university’s record-breaking research expenditures of $488 million for the 2023 fiscal year. This marks a significant 14% growth compared to the previous year, underscoring LSU’s steady ascent among top research institutions. While this achievement was initially announced by LSU via this news release, the NSF’s confirmation highlights the university’s impressive performance alongside peers such as the University of Kentucky and the University of Tennessee.

The 14% increase represents a historic milestone for LSU, attributed to a surge in research activities across its campuses. Leading contributors to this growth include LSU’s flagship campus in Baton Rouge, as well as LSU Health New Orleans and LSU Health Shreveport. These efforts reflect LSU’s commitment to enhancing its research capabilities across various disciplines and fostering impactful collaborations.

LSU’s progress is not only reflected in its financial achievements but also in its national rankings. Among U.S. research institutions, LSU’s collective campuses—including the flagship Baton Rouge campus, LSU AgCenter,Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and the LSU Health campuses—rose from 71st to 69th place in national rankings. This improvement is particularly notable considering the average growth rate of research universities across the nation was 11% in 2023.

This rise places LSU in a competitive position among its peers, highlighting its ability to maintain momentum in a challenging and fast-evolving research landscape. The increase in rankings demonstrates LSU’s effectiveness in fostering partnerships and securing funding to support groundbreaking projects.

LSU has distinguished itself as a leader in federally funded research, excelling in areas such as life sciences, geosciences, mathematics, statistics, and computer and information sciences. These strengths align seamlessly with the goals of the university’s Scholarship First Agenda, an initiative aimed at addressing pressing challenges in agriculture, biomedicine, coastal restoration, defense, and energy.

The university’s ability to secure federal grants has not only enhanced its research capacity but also reinforced its commitment to creating innovative solutions for Louisiana and beyond. Each year, LSU research contributes an estimated $1.3 billion to the state’s economy, demonstrating the tangible impact of its academic pursuits.

Robert Twilley, LSU’s Vice President of Research and Economic Development, emphasized the significance of the university’s accomplishments. Twilley explained that the National Science Foundation findings validate LSU’s commitment to growth and innovation, particularly in addressing the needs of Louisiana and supporting the Scholarship First Agenda. He also noted that the rise in federal grants signals increased confidence in LSU’s ability to tackle complex challenges at both the state and national levels.

LSU’s success is further illuminated by data from the Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey. Conducted annually, this survey is a critical resource for understanding research expenditures across U.S. colleges and universities. Institutions that spend at least $150,000 in separately accounted research and development (R&D) annually participate in this comprehensive census.

The HERD Survey breaks down expenditures by research field and funding source, providing an in-depth analysis of trends in higher education. In 2023, total R&D spending by academic institutions reached an impressive $108.8 billion, marking the largest annual increase since 2003. Notably, higher education R&D expenditures have grown at a compound annual rate of 5% over the past decade, reflecting the increasing importance of academic research in driving innovation. Salaries, wages, and benefits for R&D personnel accounted for the largest share of direct costs, totaling $47.1 billion. This investment underscores the critical role of skilled professionals in advancing research goals and achieving institutional success.

LSU’s historic growth in research expenditures is a testament to its dedication to academic excellence and innovation. By leveraging federal funding and fostering strategic partnerships, the university is poised to continue making significant contributions to both the local and global community. As research priorities evolve, LSU remains committed to addressing emerging challenges and driving economic growth in Louisiana.

For more education-related information, click here.

LSU Awarded International Award for Innovative Partnership

Recently, it was announced that Louisiana State University was the co-recipient of an international award that recognizes the most innovative and effective models for expanding and developing international education in practice today, according to an LSU Press news release.

LSU has been named the co-recipient of the 2022 IIE Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Educationin the category of Strategic Partnerships for the LSU AgCenter-MENDELU Partnership. The award was given on behalf of the Institute of International Education, or IIE. The bestowing of this internationally-sought after award recognized the impactful and innovative partnership between both LSU AgCenter and Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic.

The 2022 IIE Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education in the category of Strategic Partnershipswas given to both the LSU AgCenter and Mendel University in order to officially recognize and celebrate the multidisciplinary and multidimensional partnership that was originally initiated by the Agricultural Center and primarily focused on agrisciences.

Since its initial conception in 2015, this partnership between LSU and Mendel University has reportedly “created nearly 90 new linkages for research and teaching and has expanded to include the LSU College of Art & Design, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and LSU Leadership Development Institute.” As further listed in the news release, the partnership’s goals include “ joint research, grant proposals, student exchange, faculty exchange, joint courses, a summer school, and a food symposium.”

The partnership between the LSU AgCenter and MENDELU has clearly been seen internationally as an innovative, educational model for collaboration that can be sustainable, creative, and engaging, despite challenges. For instance, even throughout the pandemic, the LSU AgCenter and MENDELU have worked in close collaboration online in order to continue engagement and to develop new programming. More information on the LSU AgCenter’s partnership with Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic can be found in the collaboration’s 2014-2020 Partnership Report.

Interim Vice President for Agriculture and Dean of the LSU College of Agriculture Dr. Luke Laborde, commented on receiving the international honor in saying, “we are excited and gratified by this recognition of our collaboration withMendel University. It is a tribute to the ingenuity and adaptability of the faculty of both universities leading to the success of this collaboration even in the face of a global pandemic. I am truly grateful to our faculty and staff and particularly Ms. Ivana Tregenza, the Director of our Global Network, for leading our efforts.”

IIE awarded LSU along with six other institutions this past year in the category of widening access to international education, student mobility, exchange, strategic partnerships, and models of international education financial support. A full list of this year’s winning initiatives and 150+ programs that have been recognized and given a Heiskell Award to date has been released by the IIE.

Senior International Officer Samba Dieng of LSU also commented on the impact of the LSU AgCenter Global Network director saying “Ms. Ivana Tregenza, LSU AgCenter Global Network director, deserves credit for nurturing this partnership to what is now a gold standard in the field. Her work with colleagues at MENDELU to deepen engagement, even during a global pandemic, is exemplary of creativity and innovation.”

Named after Andrew Heiskell, a former chairman of Time Inc. and a member of the executive committee of IIKE’s Board of Trustees, the IIE Heiskell Awards were created in 2001 in order to promote and honor the most outstanding initiatives being conducted in international higher education institutions by IIENetwork members. Specifically, the award is focused on those  IIENetwork members addressing a specific need, removing institutional barriers, and broadening the base of participation in international teaching and learning.

For more education-related information, click here.

LSU Student Astronomers Assisting in Development of New Lunar-Based Telescope

Student astronomers at Louisiana State University are researching and designing a new type of lunar telescope that aims to take new images of the far side of the moon by 2024, as per this article from LSU.

The collaboration is called L-CAM1, and it’s a scientific observing program that’s being worked on by faculty and student astronomers from LSU, Mississippi State University, the SETI Institute, and AstronetX PBC, a public benefit corporation that’s dedicated to enabling frontier research from space. One of the main goals of the scientific observing program collaboration is for LSU students to research and design the creation of the first lunar-based camera.

The photographic instrument, which will be called Astronet L-CAM1, will be designed to capture cosmic images from the moon for research purposes that will contribute to the areas of astrophysics, planetary defense, and planetary science.

Assistant Professors Tabetha Boyajian and Matthew Penny from LSU’s Department of Physics & Astronomy recruited a team of students to work on the Astronet L-CAM1. In speaking on the magnitude of the selection process, LSU Department of Physics & Astronomy assistant professor Tabetha Boyajian said, “giving early-career students the chance to design a frontier, space-based science program that will be operated on the lunar surface is a wonderful and unique opportunity to support the progression of tomorrow’s leading astronomers and astrophysicists.”

When starting to plan the L-CAM1, LSU students had to first develop a complex understanding of the limitations and benefits that present themselves when it comes to lunar observation. The students and faculty then decided to focus on two primary scientific cases for the observing program: to improve the characterization of previously-known exoplanets and to expand asteroid observation and characterization.

Whenever an orbiting exoplanet briefly passes in front of a star, space-based observatory instruments such as the Astronet L-CAM1 will be able to allow for high-precision measurements of parent star brightness changes. Because the L-CAM1 will be able to observe these changes without interruptions over a lunar day (which is equivalent to 14 Earth days,) this instrument will be able to have long, uninterrupted observing sequences of exoplanet transit events. Additionally, during a typical multi-lunar day mission, the L-CAM1 will be able to observe approximately 200 asteroids, which would include nearly one near-Earth asteroid per month.

Senior planetary astronomer at the Carl Sagan Center at SETI Frank Marchis said of what is needed from the student research team, “our student team first needed to create simulations of the portion of lunar sky L-CAM1 will see during the multiple lunar days of the mission as a way of determining visible astrophysical and astronomical targets. One of the unique benefits L-CAM1 will provide is the duration of uninterrupted time individual subjects can be observed.”

Funding for the scientific program’s planning comes from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to AstronetX along with additional support for student participation that’s been provided by the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at LSU.

AstronetX is a Delaware public benefit corporation that’s based in Boston, Massachusetts, and they were established to facilitate and enable research in the Earth and space sciences for the overall benefit of humanity by making multi-purposeful space-based observational and database services available to customers. Their customer base includes the space science community, government agencies, the private sector, and citizen scientists.

Farzaneh Zohrabi studies at LSU as a L-CAM1 graduate student science team member. In speaking on the student astronomers being selected to work on the project, Zohrabi said, “working on L-CAM has been a dream come true for me. I’ve been an astronomer since I was 13, and now I’m developing the science program for a lunar surface telescope. This is a frontier science project, starting with getting to speak with the engineers and discussing how the different camera designs being considered will influence the data we’ll capture. A unique thing that we’re planning to do with L-CAM makes really precise measurements of nearby bright stars and their exoplanets. This is something that cannot easily be done using ground-based telescopes on Earth because of the atmosphere and saturation limits.”

For more education-related information, click here