Tag: UL Lafayette Research

UL Lafayette’s School of Geosciences: Pioneering Geology Education with New Concentrations

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is forging ahead in the realm of geosciences education with exciting additions to its undergraduate geology program. As the world’s energy needs evolve, so does the demand for specialized knowledge in the field of geosciences. To address this evolving landscape, the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences at UL Lafayette has introduced two new concentrations for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in geology: Energy Resources and Paleontology. As per this news release from the school, these new concentrations complement the existing offerings in Earth Sciences and Environmental Geology, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education tailored to meet industry demands.

Dr. Brian Schubert, a respected professor and the interim director of the School of Geosciences, emphasized the strategic nature of these additions, stating they are designed to “maximize opportunities for our students.” This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Azmy S. Ackleh, Dean of the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences, who highlights the diverse career paths available to graduates of these concentrations. From federal and state agencies, surveys, and laboratories to museums, energy industry roles, mining, and geospatial consulting firms, these concentrations open doors to an array of exciting opportunities.

The new Paleontology concentration, for instance, offers courses in Micropaleontology, Invertebrate and Vertebrate Paleontology, and Museum Techniques. With UL Lafayette overseeing the UL Lafayette Science Museum, graduates will be well-prepared for careers in museum staff positions, paleontology laboratory roles, and more. Additionally, the program’s multidisciplinary approach ensures that students without prior backgrounds in geology or earth sciences can thrive in this field.

Meanwhile, the Energy Resources concentration leverages Louisiana’s central role in the energy sector, making it an ideal choice for students aspiring to work in the ever-expanding and diversifying energy industry. Graduates of this concentration will also find opportunities in federal and state agencies, surveys, the mining and mineral industry, and geospatial consulting companies.

One fascinating aspect of these new concentrations is the unexpected overlap between Paleontology and the Energy sector. Dr. Schubert points out that paleontologists are often hired in the energy sector for their expertise in correlating and dating economically viable deposits using fossils preserved in sedimentary rocks. As a result, the Energy Resources concentration even requires students to take courses in Paleontology or Micropaleontology, illustrating how UL Lafayette is equipping students with highly marketable skills. Underlying these specialized concentrations are core courses in geology, such as structural geology, field methods, stratigraphy, geophysics, and geochemistry. These foundational courses ensure that graduates possess a broad knowledge of geology while having in-depth expertise in their chosen area.

The School of Geosciences at UL Lafayette is committed to staying responsive to the dynamic and ever-changing field of geology. By doing so, they ensure that their students are prepared for the evolving workforce needs of the future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 5% increase in employment opportunities for geoscientists through 2031, underscoring the relevance and demand for geology professionals.

Geology, as Dr. Schubert emphasizes, is not limited to a single niche but finds applications in various sectors, including Engineering Geology, Environmental Geology, Geohydrology, Oceanography, Climatology, and more. As technology evolves, new career opportunities in geology continue to emerge, reinforcing the adaptability and relevance of this field.

In conclusion, UL Lafayette’s School of Geosciences is taking bold steps to ensure that its geology graduates are well-prepared for the demands of a rapidly changing world. The new concentrations in Energy Resources and Paleontology, alongside the existing offerings, create a diverse and adaptable geology program that equips students with the skills they need to succeed in a wide range of exciting careers.

For more education-related information, click here.

UL Lafayette Reveals its Role in the COVID-19 Vaccine Development

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has had a hand in the development, effectiveness, and success of the world’s first fully tested COVID-19 immunization approved for emergency use, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, according to a press release from the school.

The effectiveness of the vaccine was determined through nonhuman trials that involved primates at UL Lafayette’s New Iberia Research Center. Jane Fontenot, NIRC’s director of Contract Research commented on the opportunity saying, “We are so privileged to have been on the front lines of the fight against the pandemic. It’s very rewarding.”

Studies have shown that the vaccine is 95 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 after the administration of two doses. The United Kingdom was the first nation to issue an emergency authorization for the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in December, with the United States, the European Union, and other countries following suit soon after.

Up until now, UL Lafayette has been unable to discuss their historic role in the vaccine’s development due to confidentiality agreements with Pfzier. A publication in the peer-reviewed journal Nature is the first public confirmation of the University’s participation in this astounding effort. Fontenot co-authored the publication announcing the involvement.

Rhesus Macaques at NIRC were immunized as early as last spring as part of nonhuman primate clinical trials of the vaccine. The process involved staff administering vaccines, collecting samples, and observing the animals “for any signs of problems,” Fontenot noted. “That included evidence of pain, elevated temperatures, loss of appetite – any symptoms that may have raised concern about tolerability.”

Afterwards, the NIRC staff helped to facilitate the transfer of the vaccinated animals to the Southwest National Primate Center, which is affiliated with the Texas Biomedical Research Institute. The San Antonio-located center includes abiosafety level 3 facility, meaning that it can securely handle love, airborne infectious august such as COVID-19. The New Iberia Research Center is a biosafety level 2 facility, though UL Lafayette is seeking funding to raise it up to level 3 status.

A month after first receiving the vaccinations at NIRA, the rhesus macaques underwent the challenge phase of the trial which involved them being exposed to COVID-19, and results showed that the vaccine offered protection from the virus. Then, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was authorized by the federal Food and Drug Administration for emergency use in mid-December 2020, about one year after COVID-19 first emerged in the world.

The rapid pace with which the vaccine was developed had depended on pre-existing relationships that the biopharmaceutical giant had with research facilities such as NIRC. This was said by Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, UL Lafayette’s vice-president for Research, Innovation, and Economic development. 

Dr. Kolluru reportedly said, ““We were instrumental in Pfizer being able to work as quickly as they did.” He went on to cite both the vaccine’s development and the role that the University played as an “example of the power of public-private partnerships. NIRC’s long history of collaborations with biomedical research companies and others provided a baseline of expertise on which the center could rely on its role in the vaccine’s development. The relationships we’ve nurtured over the decades enabled us to be a part of this historic answer to a global challenge.”

UL Lafayette’s president, Dr. Joseph Savoie said that both the University and its researchers “were prepared to meet this moment. Few areas of life have escaped the pandemic’s effects, so to contribute to something that brings hope to the world is truly extraordinary.”

The New Iberia Research Center is the nation’s largest academically-affiliated, nonhuman primate research center, and it’s home to over 8,500 nonhuman primates.

For more education related information, click here.