Gulf Scholars Program

All majors welcome!

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academy of Sciences Gulf Scholars Program (GSP) aims to prepare undergraduate students from any major to address challenges and issues facing the Gulf south region.  GSP students will participate in academic experiences focused on the program's core areas: community health and resilience, environmental protection and stewardship, and offshore energy safety.  In addition to coursework, GSP students will participate in summer research and creative projects focused on supporting people, ecosystems and industries in and around the Gulf of Mexico.  Students from all majors are welcome to participate in projects that will combine multiple perspectives as not just experts, but problem-solvers in topics related to the gulf.  

 

Program elements

      • Atlas of Heritage Trees with Dr.Brendan Harmon
      • Bayou Greenbelt Green Infrastructure with Dr.Nicholas Serrano
      • Book projects and editorial work on Louisiana Gulf Life. We will discuss challenges to and opportunities for "Renaissance" for the region with Dr. Stephanie Grey
      • Callin' Baton Rouge: 311 Calls, Flooding, and Environmental Justice with Dr.Kevin Smiley
      • Cypress Tree Mapping and Measuring with Dr.Linda Bui
      • Direct measurement of environmental factors impacting algal blooms dynamics with Dr. Adam Melvin and Dr. Sibel Bargu Ates
      • Electrochemistry and supramolecular chemistry to develop new water purification methods with Dr. Noemie Elgrishi
      • Examination of sediment cores from the Alabama underwater forest with Dr. Kristine DeLong
      • Fish Food & Bug Grub: Do food webs in created and natural Gulf Coast wetlands differ? with Dr. Michael Polito
      • Geological study of submarine regions of the Lower Mississippi River Delta, downstream from New Orleans with Dr. Sam Bentley
      • Louisiana Early Childhood Teachers Oral History Project with Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner
      • Mathematical Methods for Ecological Robotics with Dr. Michael Malisoff

Gulf Impact Project 

Each summer, up to 25 students will be funded for a 10-week faculty-mentored research project centered on topics related to the gulf.  Gulf Impact Project students will receive up to $6,000 in funding for wages, supplies, and travel related to their project.  Students from any major are welcome to apply!

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until April 23rd, 2023

Application information:

Information for Gulf Scholars Summer Impact Project funding recipients

Information for Faculty

Leadership Team

Dr.Linda Hooper-Bui, Professor, Environmental Sciences

Dr.Jacqueline Bach, Acting Vice Provost of Academic Programs & Services; Professor, Education

Dr.Clint Willson, Director, Center for River Studies; Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; The Water Institute of the Gulf

Dr.Brandon Ballengee, Visual artist, biologist, and environmental educator

Dr.Debbie Goldgaber, Director, LSU Ethics Institute; Associate Professor, Philosophy/Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Dr.Margaret Reams, Professor, Environmental Sciences

Sarah Ferstel, Associate Director, LSU Discover

Daena Carrillo, Graduate Assistant