Biographical Sketch

Ms. Blake Foret is an Energy Assessment and Outreach Engineer with the Energy Institute of Louisiana and the Louisiana Energy Extension Service (LEES) at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. A two-time UL Lafayette graduate, she earned both her B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering, where she focused on applied energy systems, materials, and community-centered engineering solutions. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Systems Engineering with a concentration in Chemical Engineering under the guidance of Dr. Mark E. Zappi, P.E.

In her role, Ms. Foret supports statewide outreach efforts, technical assessments, and energy education initiatives aimed at helping Louisiana communities and industries make informed, practical decisions. Her work bridges engineering practice with public engagement, ensuring that complex energy concepts are translated into clear, accessible guidance for stakeholders across the state. Her research engineer position is made possible through a generous contribution from ExxonMobil, supporting her efforts to expand energy literacy, strengthen community partnerships, and advance sustainable, science-driven solutions for Louisiana. Her dedication to service, technical expertise, and passion for helping others make her a key part of the LEES mission.

Recent Projects

• Wastewater Solid Upcycling: Characterizing and optimizing the chemical extraction of waste proteins from municipal wastewater solids to synthesize high-performance, green wood bioadhesives.

• Urban Biorefinery Integration: Developing technical overviews modeling the feasibility of integrating municipal wastewater treatment facilities into urban biorefineries for the sustainable production of bio-based fuels and platform chemicals.

• Solar Water Disinfection: Conducting extensive technological assessments and literature reviews mapping current and emerging solar energy technologies deployed for sustainable water treatment and disinfection.

• Technical Writing & Platform Management: Generating technical data summaries of evolving energy systems and coordinating public outreach platform management to accelerate statewide energy literacy.