LSU is the flagship institution of Louisiana and is one of only 30 universities nationwide holding land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant status.

Since 1860, LSU has served its region, the nation, and the world through extensive, multipurpose programs encompassing instruction, research, and public service. The university brings in more than $150 million annually in outside research grants and contracts, a significant factor for the Louisiana economy.

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War in Iran: Impact on Oil Prices

Executive Director of the LSU Center for Energy Studies available for interviews

 As global markets respond to escalating tensions in Iran, energy prices are once again at the center of international concern. For insight into what this conflict could mean for oil markets, consumers and the broader economy, media can turn to Greg Upton, executive director and associate research professor at the LSU Center for Energy Studies.

An expert at the intersection of energy and environmental economics, Upton studies how geopolitical disruptions, supply constraints and policy decisions influence oil prices and downstream economic impacts. As instability in the Middle East threatens global supply chains, he can provide context on potential price volatility, implications for Louisiana’s energy sector and what higher crude prices may mean for gasoline costs and inflation in the United States.

Upton has contributed to more than 40 academic publications and has presented his research to over 200 industry, government and academic audiences. He has testified before committees in both chambers of the Louisiana Legislature and a subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives. A frequent voice in national and local media, Upton has been quoted or cited more than 250 times, including by the The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today and NPR.

In addition to his research, Upton teaches in LSU’s MBA program and in the Department of Economics and Environmental Sciences, helping prepare the next generation of leaders to navigate complex energy and environmental challenges.

For timely, data-driven analysis on the impact of oil price fluctuations amid the ongoing conflict in Iran, Dr. Greg Upton is available for interviews and expert commentary.


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LSU, FUEL, Syngenta Partner to Develop Low-cost Digital Twins for Chemical Processing Facilities

Syngenta, a science-based agriculture company with a key production site in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, has partnered with LSU and FUEL to transform how digital twins are created for chemical processing facilities.

Assistant Professor

 Derick Ostrenko and Jason Jamerson, faculty in the LSU College of Art & Design, along with engineering advisor David Ben Spry, are pioneering a new approach to industrial innovation using digital twins. The effort is supported by a $217,403 use-inspired research and development (UIRD) award from Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL).

Digital twins are highly detailed, virtual replicas of physical assets. The technology is used in engineering to enhance efficiency, safety, and training; however, their creation often requires costly specialized hardware, proprietary software, and engineering-intensive workflows.

“This initiative not only advances digital twin technology but also highlights the interdisciplinary power of design and engineering,” FUEL UIRD Director Ashwith Chilvery said. “By applying creative tools in an industrial setting, we’re demonstrating new ways to lower costs and expand access to advanced digital infrastructure.”

The collaborative effort between LSU, FUEL, and Syngenta aims to reduce costs by applying techniques more commonly used in the entertainment industry, leveraging free and open-source software and consumer-grade hardware, such as gaming PCs and digital cameras. Most of the work will be conducted by digital art students skilled in 3D modeling and video game production, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional engineering services.

“3D artists and game developers bring both technical expertise and creative vision that can add significant value when paired with traditional engineering approaches,” Spry said. “We’re eager to demonstrate how this talent pool can help accelerate digital transformation in industry.”

“Working with an innovative company like Syngenta to advance digital twins for chemical manufacturing is an outstanding opportunity for our researchers and students, and we’re proud of the techniques and talent we’ve developed at LSU. FUEL’s support of digital twin development for the energy and chemical sectors helps build this technology and unique artistry in Louisiana, for our industries, and for the rest of the nation.”   - Greg Trahan, LSU Assistant Vice President of Strategic Research Partnerships In addition to producing a high-fidelity digital twin of a process unit within an active chemical manufacturing facility, the project will deliver a virtual reality application that allows immersive interaction with the 3D model. Future extensions may include augmented reality overlays of physical equipment or integration of live process data for real-time monitoring and troubleshooting.

The ultimate outcome of the project is a validated workflow that reduces the cost of producing digital twins by a factor of at least five compared to conventional engineering methods. This breakthrough has the potential to redefine digital infrastructure for the chemical processing industry, making it more accessible, scalable, and adaptable to future needs.

Learn more about LSU's digital twin work with Syngenta as well as NASA:

 About FUEL Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) positions the state as a global energy innovation leader through high-impact technology development and innovation that supports the energy industry in lowering carbon emissions. FUEL brings together a growing team of universities, community and technical colleges, state agencies and industry and capital partners led by LSU. With the potential to receive up to $160 million in funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation through the NSF Regional Innovation Engines program and an additional $67.5 million from Louisiana Economic Development, FUEL will advance our nation’s capacity for energy innovation through use-inspired research and development, workforce development, and technology commercialization. For more information, visit fuelouisiana.org. About Syngenta Syngenta Crop Protection is a global leader in agricultural innovation. It is focused on empowering farmers to make the transformation required to feed the world’s population while protecting our planet. Its bold scientific discoveries deliver better benefits for farmers and society on a bigger scale than ever before. Syngenta CP offers a leading portfolio of crop protection technologies and solutions that support farmers to grow healthier plants with higher yields. Its 17,700 employees are helping to transform agriculture in more than 90 countries. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is part of the Syngenta Group. Read our stories and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & X. 

lsu-launches-energy-institute

LSU Launches Energy Institute

The LSU Energy Institute is a new, interdisciplinary research institute designed to strengthen the university’s leadership—and resulting impact—in energy research, natural resource management, and innovation.  

This strategic move aligns with LSU’s Scholarship First Agenda, where energy is one of five core focus areas for research critical to the future of Louisiana and the nation. It also builds on the successes of LSU’s Institute for Energy Innovation, Center for Energy Studies, Louisiana Geological Survey, and the LSU-led FUEL team while assuming a leadership role in how the university engages with its partners—industry, communities, donors, and state and federal agencies—through collaboration and service.

“As Louisiana’s flagship research university, LSU is committed to organizing our efforts in ways that maximize impact and reflect institutional priorities,” said Robert Twilley, LSU vice president of research and economic development. “The LSU Energy Institute will provide a platform for faculty across multiple colleges and disciplines to collaborate on solutions to Louisiana’s most pressing energy and environmental challenges.”

The LSU Energy Institute will unify and expand several longstanding programs, chiefly the Center for Energy Studies, the Louisiana Geological Survey, and a range of externally funded initiatives, including cutting-edge energy research catalyzed by the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation through a dedicated $25 million investment from Shell.

 This results-focused realignment reflects a broader effort across LSU to improve coordination between strategic research projects and teams with increased support from research centers, institutes, and core facilities. As LSU’s flagship unit in the energy domain, the Energy Institute will enhance the university’s ability to align interdisciplinary research and policy with Louisiana’s energy economy and environmental stewardship goals.

“The reorganization of LSU energy efforts into this institute reflects both a long-standing legacy of service and a renewed vision for the future of energy research in Louisiana. It’s about building on 40 years of trusted work while expanding our capacity to innovate, support decisionmakers, and serve the people of our state, said Greg Upton, interim director of the LSU Energy Institute and executive director of the LSU Center for Energy Studies.

The LSU Energy Institute will serve as a central hub for faculty, students, industry, and public agencies working at the intersection of energy technology, resource economics, environmental protection, and policy. The integration of the Louisiana Geological Survey will further reinforce the university’s role in providing critical data and analysis to support state planning and hazard assessment. The institute will also continue to seed competitive, high-quality research focused on energy systems resilience, carbon management, and economic opportunity. These investments reflect LSU’s broader vision to translate research into impact and fuel new jobs and technologies to power Louisiana’s future.

Original article posted here. 


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