As a Loyola student, you have the opportunity to work alongside our talented professors to partner in collaborative research. Learn more about some recent research and projects currently underway.
MRGO-ing, Going, Gone
Documentary film, MRGO-ING, GOING, GONE, a decade in the making, reveals the backstory of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet—the infamous and now closed 76-mile shipping channel implicated in the catastrophic flooding following Hurricane Katrina. Produced by the Loyola University New Orleans Center for Environmental Communication and e/Prime Media, it’s a story of wetlands destruction, coastal erosion, flooding, political wrangling and mismanaged public resources.
Elucidating the mechanisms and physiological significance of rapid changes in epidermal UV-shielding in plants
Anne Barkley (Environmental Studies Minor) was awarded a Louisiana Board of Regents S.U.R.E. grant which allowed her to work under faculty mentorship of Professor Paul Barnes (Biological Sciences) to conduct a study on the effects of UV light on plant growth during the 2013-2014 academic year.
United Nations Environment Programme Environmental Effects Assessment Panel
Biological Sciences Professor Paul Barnes joined an elite team of scientists from around the world on the United Nations Environment Programme’s Environmental Effects Assessment Panel to investigate the latest effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, which will culminate in a report published once every four years. In Feb. 23-March 3, 2014 the committee met in Cuernavaca, Mexico, to detail how additional UV rays seeping through the Earth’s atmosphere affect human health, manufactured materials, ecological systems, climate change and other areas.
Blue crab larvae into the Lake Pontchartrain estuary
Mallory Hirschler (ENVB major) was awarded a Louisiana Board of Regents S.U.R.E. grant which allows her to work under faculty mentorship of Professor Frank Jordan (Biological Sciences) to conduct a study of recruitment of blue crab larvae into the Lake Pontchartrain estuary. A goal of the Louisiana Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (LAEPSCoR) project, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is to increase the participation of women and other underrepresented minorities and in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
Broomstick
English Department Chair Professor John Biguenet’s current play, Broomstick, brings to life a witch who confesses all—her first love affair, how she discovered her powers, what she has done with them. Having won a Continued Life of New Plays Fund Award from the National New Play Network, Broomstick began its Rolling World Premiere with an extended run at New Jersey Repertory Company and will go on to other productions at Montana Repertory Theatre (Missoula), Fountain Theatre (Los Angeles), Southern Rep Theatre (New Orleans), and Playwrights Theatre (Madison, NJ).
"Why Moral Philosophy Matters"
Professor Leonard Kahn is currently working on a book-length project entitled “Why Moral Philosophy Matters.” In the project, Kahn makes the case that moral philosophy should be thought of as the systematic attempt to understand our most fundamental moral concepts. Kahn argues that moral philosophy, thought of in this way, is valuable for its own sake, not only simply because it helps to guide our lives and to reduce conflict among us. Kahn’s project is currently under consideration for publication by Bloomsbury Press.
Metaphysical thought of the late thirteenth century philosopher-theologian James of Viterbo
Prof. Mark Gossiaux is working to produce a book-length study of the metaphysical thought of the late thirteenth century philosopher-theologian James of Viterbo. Since only some of James’ writings are available in a critical edition, Dr. Gossiaux must make use of fourteenth century manuscripts to recover the unedited parts of James’ works. These manuscripts, written in a highly abbreviated Latin, require careful and meticulous study if their secrets are to be revealed. Dr.
Atmospheric Chemistry
Chemistry students under the direction of Chemistry professor Joelle S. Underwood study the water uptake processes and chemical reactions of atmospherically relevant aerosol. Students also help develop analytical techniques for studying the physical and chemical properties of atmospheric aerosol.
Wetlands loss and the human impact on the landscape
When biology professor David White, Ph.D., takes his students into the swamp, he likes to go after dark. The wetlands south of New Orleans that he leads his classes through in canoes are full of snakes, spiders, and insects, and he will periodically tell students where to point their flashlights so they can reflect constellations of red alligator eyes.
Algae Growth on Submerged Human Hair
Ask The Algae: A biology student and her mentor devise a novel way to determine how long corpses have been underwater to aid law enforcement efforts.
Anyone who has watched mafia movies knows what a mobster means when he says he is going to make someone "sleep with the fishes." But this method of disposing of evidence on-screen has corollaries in real life, which can present real problems for law enforcement.