Research News
Q&A with LSU Neuroscientist Dr. Nicolás Bazan on Alzheimer’s Disease, Risk, and Hope
While many people focus on such risk factors for dementia as family history, they may not focus as much on resilience factors, the steps they can take to protect brain health. Dr. Nicolás Bazan, Boyd Professor of Neuroscience at LSU Health New Orleans, explains.
LSU Research Bites: Feeding Gut Microbes Fiber Could Be Key to Slowing Alzheimer’s Disease
In a new study, Dr. Nicolas Bazan, Boyd Professor of Neuroscience at LSU Health New Orleans, and colleagues found that a diet with certain fibers counteracted Alzheimer’s pathology and cognitive deficits in mice that carried risk genes for dementia.
LSU’s Nuclear Engineering Program Prepares Students for the Big Energy Era
To meet growing energy needs, the United States plans to triple its nuclear capacity by 2050. Meanwhile, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are investing in small nuclear reactor technology to help meet the enormous energy needs of AI data centers. More than 30 companies have announced plans for advanced reactors, which are evolutions of those that have been powering nuclear submarines for 70 years.
Four Ourso Faculty Recognized on Stanford/Elsevier List of Top 2% Scientists
Four faculty members from the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business have been listed on the Stanford/Elsevier global Top 2% Scientists List for 2025. The list, updated annually and and published on the Elsevier Data Repository, identifies the top 2% of scientists worldwide by standardized citation metrics. Inclusion in the rankings is a prestigious recognition of a researcher's impact on their field and beyond.
Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education Faculty and Doctoral Scholars Highlight Mentorship and Well-Being Innovations at the 2025 Mentoring Institute Conference
Margaret-Mary Sulentic Dowell, PhD; Cynthia DiCarlo, PhD; and Henderson Lewis Jr., PhD and SOE doctoral scholars presented four research-based sessions at the 2025 18th Annual Mentoring Institute Conference at the University of New Mexico. Their work focused on integrating emotional wellness, mentoring practices and leadership development within doctoral and educational leadership programs.
LSU Research Bites: Malware-Detecting Large Language Model a Game-Changer for Cybersecurity
Modern malware hides deep within systems, making detection like finding a needle in a haystack. At LSU, researchers Aisha Ali-Gombe and James Ghawaly created MalParse, an AI model that rapidly detects and interprets hidden malicious code.
Jennifer Scott, PhD, Named as a Finalist for $50 Million Gulf Futures Challenge Grant
Scott, associate professor in the LSU School of Social Work, serves on the Community Lighthouse team, a network of trusted civic institutions with solar and battery-powered microgrids and trained volunteers who provide reliable power, critical services and strong neighborhood networks. Community Lighthouse was selected as one of 10 finalists for the $50M Gulf Futures Challenge Grant.
LSU SIS Edward Benoit, III, PhD, Awarded IMLS Grant to Support Vietnam-Era Veterans' Record Keeping
Led by Benoit and Heather Soyka, PhD, of Kent State University, the two-year planning project will create an implementable program for librarians, archivists and Veteran Service Organizations to help Vietnam-era veterans document and preserve their personal and service records.
LSU Energy Institute Names Tyler Gray Director of Energy Innovation
The LSU Energy Institute has named Tyler Gray as its inaugural director of energy innovation, a key leadership role within LSU’s expanding energy research and policy enterprise. Gray’s appointment marks an important step in LSU’s continued move to align energy-focused units under a single institute to serve Louisiana’s evolving energy economy.
LSU Research Bites: A common myth about food insecurity is disproved
It's a common belief that food insecurity “isn’t a workplace concern,” but LSU researchers weren’t convinced. In a study published in Personnel Psychology, they put this understanding to the test and learned that food insecurity has real costs to businesses.
LSU Scientists Map Breast Density to Improve Early Detection and Reduce Cancer Screening Risks
A team led by Joyoni Dey, associate professor in LSU’s Department of Physics & Astronomy, has been working to improve the measurement of breast density using physics-based methods that produce precise measurements, helping doctors better assess cancer risk.
Research@Ourso: Collaboration Drives Discovery and Wins
A cooperative spirit is driving award-winning research at the Ourso College, where recent projects co-authored by faculty and doctoral students together have earned top honors at major international academic conferences.
LSU CSE Professor Receives NIMH Grant for ADHD Research
LSU Division of Computer Science and Engineering Associate Professor David Shepherd was recently awarded $675,000 from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) for his research on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The overall grant is for $1.8 million for three years in collaboration with Rutgers University Chief Wellness Officer and Department of Clinical Psychology Professor Joshua Langberg.
When the Ocean Turns Sour: Why Male Corals Are Taking Over
As climate change drives ocean acidification, most corals struggle to survive–but Porites panamensis in Mexico's Gulf of California is rewriting the rules. LSU Department of Biological Sciences Professor Michael Hellberg is uncovering how this resilient coral thrives in CO₂-rich, low-pH waters that would kill most species. The work explores the surprising role of sex differences in survival, revealing that male and female corals respond differently to acid stress. By combining genomics, field research, and AI-based coral sex identification, the team is decoding the genetic and physiological strategies that may help corals adapt to a rapidly acidifying ocean.
LSU Integrative Community Studies to Hold Open House
College of Human Sciences & Education Dean's Advisory Council hosts the community to learn about program dedicated to providing students with moderate disabilities a life-changing university experience.