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University Joins USGS-Led Network Focused on Addressing Regional Climate and Environmental Issues
Mon, 10/19/2026 - 12:00amUniversity joins USGS-led network focused on addressing climate issues
Mon, 10/19/2026 - 10:15am
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has joined the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) as a full consortium member, strengthening its role in collaborative research on climate-related challenges, regional resilience, and technological adaptation across the Gulf Coast.
The South Central CASC is part of a national network supported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The partnership connects universities, federal researchers, natural resource managers, and communities to develop actionable science that regional decision-makers rely on to respond to evolving climate and environmental demands.
"It's clear the University of Louisiana brings deep expertise and a strong commitment to partnership," said Kris Metzger, acting regional administrator for the South Central CASC/USGS. "They are an incredible addition to our consortium, and we're thrilled to welcome them to the South Central CASC."
Energy Institute of Louisiana (EIL) Collaboration & Leadership
As part of UL Lafayette's multidisciplinary engagement in the consortium, key researchers from the Energy Institute of Louisiana (EIL) are actively contributing their expertise in sustainable energy, chemical processes, emissions reduction, and clean resource development:
Dr. Mark E. Zappi, Ph.D., P.E.
Executive Director, Energy Institute of Louisiana; Chevron Professor of Chemical Engineering
Dr. Rafael Hernandez
Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering; EIL Research Leader in Alternative Fuels and Catalysis
Dr. Chelsea Zeringue
Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering; EIL Research Specialist in Sustainable Materials and Bioproducts
Campus-Wide Site Leadership & Consortium Priorities
Dr. Emad Habib, professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and director of the Institute for Coastal and Water Research (ICaWR), serves as the University's site lead for the consortium. Additional co-principal investigators include:
- Dr. Nic Kooyers, associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences (Ray P. Authement College of Sciences)
- Dr. Heather Stone, associate professor in the Department of Educational Curriculum and Instruction (College of Education and Human Development)
"Joining the South Central CASC as a consortium member provides an important new platform for connecting the University's research strengths with decision-makers across our region," Habib noted. "It gives our faculty and students opportunities not only to participate in collaborative research, but also to help shape research questions around some of the most pressing environmental and climate challenges facing Louisiana and the South Central region."
The University recently hosted South Central CASC and USGS leaders for a daylong campus visit to review laboratories, pilot-scale testing sites, and research centers. Consortium Director Renee McPherson highlighted the impact of the five-year agreement:
"On our visit to UL, we saw the depth and breadth of their research team. We know UL's contributions over the next five years will bring needed science to decision makers in Louisiana and across our region."