Research
 
Dr. Jenneke M. Visser


Dr. Visser’s research is focused on coastal wetland vegetation, specifically community and production responses to changes in the environment such as climate, hydrology, water chemistry, and herbivore populations. She is interested in the science of wetland restoration including the evaluation of constructed projects, forecasting of restoration outcomes, and adaptive management to improve existing and future restoration projects. She also studies the habitat requirements and population dynamics of seabird nesting colonies.
 
Dr. Barbara Benson
 
Dr. Barbara Benson is involved with the Bio-processing Research Laboratory (BRL) at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She is a recognized expert in the field of growth of microalgae and light dynamics in photo-bioreactors. Her research interests include numerical modeling for the purpose of environmental engineering (e.g. bioreactor design and optimization). She has expertise in simulation of mass balance; hydrology; light dynamics in water; photosynthetic efficiency; biological growth and distribution; tidal fluctuations; other rhythmic processes; and water quality. Most of her recently published research is on the optimization of the light dynamics in the hydraulically integrated serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR). She has produced several peer-reviewed publications on her research pertaining to numerical modeling for optimization of algal reactor design and received the “Superior Paper of the Year” award 2006 from the journal “Aquaculture Engineering”. She has been an invited speaker for the National Algae Association. She is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Louisiana Engineering Society, the World Aquaculture Society and the National Algae Association. She has reviewed several papers for the Journal of Applied Phycology. She plans to use her knowledge in growth kinetics and light dynamics in algal reactors to pursue research efforts that contribute to the fundamental knowledge base needed for development the bio-fuels industry.
 
Dr. Durga D. Poudel
 

The Coulee Baton Microwatershed Nonpoint Source Pollution Monitoring
and Modeling Project is funded by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality as part of a multi-agency project including the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Acadiana Resource Conservation and Development Council. This larger project is implementing a holistic approach to water quality improvement by subsidizing beneficial agricultural and residential management practices across the 10 square mile watershed that drains into Coulee Baton just Northeast of Kaplan, LA. We envision that this project will act as a model for future research and water quality improvement programs across Louisiana and the Southeastern U.S. Our department is currently responsible for installing and servicing water quality monitors in the watershed, collecting water quality samples, and using the water quality data for modeling the impacts of agricultural land use on nutrients and other pollutants. The information obtained will help identify 'hotspots' of nonpoint source pollution and develop a management plan to reduce the pollution levels on a watershed scale.

Wildflower Seed Bank, LaDOTD Highway Beautification, and Tourism Promotion in Louisiana

This project venture between the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD), the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and Southeastern Louisiana University at Hammond. Using Louisiana native wildflowers for highway enhancement and beautification of welcome centers and state parks is a promising alternative to high maintenance costs on our state highways.

Modeling NPS Pollution and Land Use Types in Bayou Plaquemine Brule Watershed

The specific objectives of this project are to: (1) quantify daily loading of suspended solids and nutrients for Bayou Palquemine Brule and its tributaries, (2) quantify the contribution of landuse types such as agricultural, forest, and urban areas on nonpoint source pollution (e.g. TSS, TN, TP, Turbidity, and DO), (3) evaluate various BMPs implemented and their effects on nonpoint source pollution in the watershed, and (4) quantify the effectiveness of BMPs in load reduction.

Bayou Plaquemine Brule Water Quality Monitoring Project.

The main objective is to determine drainage area and the entrance of oxygen-demanding substances into the mainstream channel in relation to rainfall events and drainage areas in Bayou Plaquemine Brule watershed in southwestern Louisiana. The project will monitor in-stream water qulaity in the watershed.
     

 

  
 
611 McKinley Drive , Lafayette 70504 Phone: (337)-482-6647 Email: nadean@louisiana.edu