LSU is preparing for a launch early next year of “LSU Power Players,” a new research campaign that will focus entirely on energy. As The Daily Reveille reports, the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Research and Economic Development are heading up the campaign. It’s the most recent research campaign since LSU’s “Committed to the Coast” initiative in 2013, a campaign focused on coastal research at the university.
Kalliat T. Valsaraj, university vice chancellor for research and economic development, tells the student newspaper that conventional and renewable energy are some of the strategic focal areas, adding he hopes the campaign will continue for several years beyond 2015.
“It’s a campaign to explain to people what LSU is doing in this area,” Valsaraj says.
Dean of engineering Richard Koubek says the campaign will focus on traditional forms of energy like oil and gas but will also research wind power and other forms of sustainable energy.
LSU spokesman Ernie Ballard says the energy campaign will tie into the new faculty hires and research opportunities presented in the Workforce and Innovation for a Stronger Economy Fund.
The WISE Fund provides $40 million to higher education institutions across the state to help science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs prepare graduates for high-demand jobs. LSU is set to receive the lion’s share of the WISE funds, about $14.5 million. Read the full story.
