LSU College of the Coast & Environment

06/08/2026

Today is and we're taking a look at how CC&E research helps keep these critical ecosystems healthy.

"World Oceans Day serves as a reminder that ocean health is not a distant issue. It influences the air we breathe, the food we eat, the economies we depend on, and the communities we call home," says Oceanography & Coastal Sciences Professor Kanchan Maiti, who is also Chair of the Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences.

The world's oceans face growing threats: warming waters, pollution and nutrient runoff. Rising seas, stronger storms and accelerating coastal landloss place an even greater pressure on already vulnerable coastal systems, underscoring the need for science-driven solutions to protect these vital resources.

To tackle these challenges, CC&E researchers combine cutting edge technology with field-based science.
➡️ Our scientists use satellites, sensors and high-frequency radar to monitor changes in wetlands, shorelines, and coastal waters;
➡️ They collect data on water quality, sediment movement, and ecosystem health;
➡️ And they develop advanced models that improve forecasts of flooding, storm impacts, and low-oxygen conditions.

"Through research, education, and innovation, LSU’s College of the Coast & Environment is helping generate the knowledge needed to protect our coasts, strengthen resilience, and ensure a healthier ocean future for generations to come," says Dr. Maiti.

Learn more at the in the comments

06/05/2026

🔬🌱🌎❤️ that’s a wrap on Coastal and Environmental Sciences Summer Camp. See you next year!

06/02/2026

Yesterday CC&E welcomed a new group of campers to our Coastal & Environmental Sciences Summer camp! 🥼 🌿

They kicked off a week of environmental sciences fun with a trip to the LSU Museum of Natural Science and some training in the lab. Stay tuned📺 to see where they go next!

06/02/2026

The new Earth Scan Lab website is now live!

Explore real-time environmental data and interactive tools designed to support research, education, and public awareness across the Gulf Coast and beyond.

Features include:
• Real-time hurricane tracking and visualization
• Gulf sea surface temperature products highlighting the Loop Current and warm-core eddies
• River flood and sediment plume monitoring
• Satellite imagery and environmental data products
• Interactive tools for coastal, oceanic, and atmospheric analysis

As the 2026 hurricane season begins, we invite researchers, students, educators, and the public to explore the new platform.

Visit us at: https://earthscanlab.lsu.edu/

LSU College of the Coast & Environment #

06/01/2026

Just in time for the start of the 2026 hurricane season, the new LSU Earth Scan Laboratory website is live!

Visualize hurricanes approaching the coast in real-time, explore Gulf sea surface temperatures defining the Loop Current and warm eddies, study the motion of sediment-rich flood-waters during Mississippi and Atchafalaya River floods, and explore new interactive tools showcasing coastal, oceanic, and atmospheric conditions across the Gulf of America and beyond.

06/01/2026

As Louisiana's average home insurance climbs above $5,000 per year, families are feeling the strain of a market still reeling from the devastating 2020 and 2021 hurricane seasons.

🌀 As we enter hurricane season, CC&E's Paul Miller takes a look at how coastal science research may help to lower insurance costs, by making meaningful advances that help protect the state from future losses.

🏠 Drs. Robert Rohli and Nazla Bushra have helped quantify the financial benefits of flood mitigation.

Their work, which includes team members from the LSU AgCenter, demonstrates that incorporating "freeboard"—the elevation of a home above the base flood level—serves as a wise investment rather than just an upfront cost.

🖥️ CC&E's Z. George Xue is pioneering the use of "Digital Twins" and AI-driven forecasting which can be used to design life-saving coastal infrastructure.

🌩️ Drs. Paul Miller and Robert Twilley serve critical roles with LSU’s Coastal Emergency Risks Assessment (CERA) platform, which is used by state officials to determine which surge barriers and flood gates should be activated in advance of imminent hurricane landfalls.

🌊Hydrodynamic modeling and wave monitoring by CC&E experts like Drs. Chunyan Li and Haosheng Huang can help ground insurance premiums with data-driven practices.

📡 In the LSU Earth Scan Laboratory, Emeritus Professor Dr. Nan Walker tracks the Loop Current and warm-core eddies.

By embracing its commitment to “build teams that win for Louisiana and the world,” CC&E faculty continue to perform transformative research that help turn Louisiana’s coastal vulnerabilities into a transparent and manageable financial risk.

05/29/2026

Drop by our table at this weekend's Storm Safe event!

📅 Save the Date!

Join us for the 2nd Annual Louisiana Storm Safe Event on Sunday, May 31 from 1 - 4 p.m. at the LSU Center for River Studies! 🌧️🌊

As we prepare for hurricane season, we’re partnering with organizations from across the region to share important preparedness tips and resources, helping you know what to do before, during, and after a storm. ⚠️🌀

Enjoy delicious treats available for purchase from our friends at 🍩and take advantage of periodic tours of the River Model throughout the afternoon to see firsthand how science and innovation support Louisiana’s resilience.

We hope you’ll join us as we get ready for Louisiana’s Fifth Season in the best way we know how: together, prepared and informed! 💙

05/27/2026

CC&E research helps protect public health.

Our work on environmental toxins, human resilience, vulnerability mapping, and wastewater monitoring for emerging drugs helps Louisiana communities thrive.

05/27/2026

CC&E scientists are helping sustain fisheries and coastal ecosystems. Their research on fish habitats and movement, ecosystem connectivity and artificial reef structures help keep our sportsman’s paradise healthy for the next generation.

05/27/2026

CC&E research helps improve water quality.

Our shellfish industry and beaches need clean waters to thrive. Our scientists are helping build a more sustainable future for these vital areas.