College of Engineering

Over two hot, humid days in Napoleonville, La., LSU Biological Engineering (BE) students and graduates, LSU Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department Chair Marybeth Lima, and Assumption Parish community members worked steadily during the breaks in the rain to construct a new playground at Marais Park. Though the process looks similar to other playgrounds Lima and her students have helped build over the years, this one is special. This is the 50th playground they have constructed as part of the LSU Community Playground Project (LSUCPP), an engineering community engagement program started by Lima in 1998.

The greatest threat to life during a hurricane often comes in the form of storm surge, ocean water pushed onto shore by powerful winds that can substantially increase water levels in a matter of minutes.

LSU Computer Science & Engineering Assistant Professor Umar Farooq recently received a nearly $300,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) SaTC CORE award for his groundbreaking research project that tackles a critical challenge in today's digital age--helping users find mobile apps that meet their needs without compromising their privacy. This competitive award will allow Farooq and his team to develop a novel genre of privacy-aware recommender systems to guide safer app choices.