April 2020
Dear alumni and friends,
 
We are wrapping up the second week of remote instruction at LSU. Our faculty and staff have worked diligently to transition our lectures and laboratories to remote teaching platforms so that we can continue to educate our best and brightest students while adhering to state directives to shelter in place.

Social distancing certainly is a new frontier for all of us, but we are a resilient community. LSU researchers are pursuing solutions to help our state and our nation flatten the curve. Therefore, the tone of our e-newsletter is a little different this month. In this edition, we are celebrating LSU’s “get-it-done spirit” by saluting some of the members of our college community who are working towards solutions to the pandemic and volunteering to provide, and in some cases create, supplies and equipment for our healthcare professionals.

Geaux Science!
 
Cynthia Peterson
Dean, LSU College of Science
Our original research drives progress.
LSU DeepDrug Team uses Artificial Intelligence to discover new treatments for coronavirus

The LSU DeepDrug team, a current semifinalist for the  IBM Watson AI X-PRIZE , is using artificial intelligence to discover new drugs. Although their work so far has focused mainly on antibiotics and antimicrobials, they are now working as quickly as they can to find new antivirals effective against coronavirus. | More
We are working for a healthy Louisiana.
LSU researchers and hospital leaders create new coronavirus testing lab in one week

Lab supports 18 Louisiana medical facilities and has processed over 1,200 tests

LSU researchers and hospital leaders from around the region have recently created, received federal approval and started running tests at a newly minted “River Road Testing Lab” at LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Researchers at the helm of this initiative include faculty in the College of Science, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, LSU Health Sciences and physicians from area hospitals. | More
We have that "get-it-done spirit."
Thousands of gallons of good: LSU chemists help Louisiana prepare large batches of hand rub sanitizer
 
When the LSU Department of Chemistry received a call a few weeks ago from someone looking for experts to help prepare hand rub sanitizer, LSU chemistry Ph.D. student Anthony Mai agreed to help. The call came from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office asking for help with preparing and ensuring consistent quality for about 5,000 gallons of hand rub sanitizer. | More
LSU team creates masks, ventilator parts for physicians treating patients with COVID-19

LSU biomedical engineering senior Meagan Moore, LSU medical physics and health physics director Wayne Newhauser, emergency room physician Tom Fox, two LSU physics students, and members of the community are creating equipment being used by medical personnel at LSU Health in New Orleans. | More
College of Science faculty and staff collect PPE for area hospitals
We are a supportive community.
When our students returned from Spring Break, their class experience looked quite different. Understanding this transition, our faculty and staff offered some words of encouragement to our science community.
Our alumni are trailblazers.
College of Science graduate files for patent, working with FDA on drug to stop COVID-19

Scientists at Ennaid Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company founded by LSU microbiology graduate Darnisha Harrison, have found a drug that is showing promise in laboratories at blocking the continued spread of COVID-19.
| More
As coronavirus strains hospitals, Baton Rouge doctor creates app to keep patients' families informed

Dr. Jim Rhorer, a College of Science graduate working in emergency medicine at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, has developed a free-of-charge iOS app for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch called ConnectedCare that helps people with chronic health issues log their personal health data and share it with family, friends and caregivers.  
| More
Former CDC microbiologist reflects on the challenges of fighting Covid-19

James Lange, an LSU graduate and member of the College of Science Dean’s Circle, was a young microbiologist at the CDC when he worked on the team that discovered the Ebola virus in 1976. Much of his career was spent studying infectious diseases. | More
LSU Giving Day is just a few weeks away.

This year’s LSU Giving Day is about more than a dollar amount. It’s about lifting up Tigers.

You can participate on social media by celebrating the Class of 2020, sharing your talents, or posting other spirited content with #LSUGivingDay and #YourQuestionNext. If you are able to give, please consider supporting the LSU Student Emergency Fund, the College of Science Scholarship Fund and the College of Science Excellence in Innovation Fund.

Support Research and Scholarship at LSU
Join the LSU College of Science Dean's Circle

The Dean's Circle (DC) is a loyal group of alumni and friends who share a passion for advancing research and scholarship at LSU. To join online, go to www.lsufoundation.org/givetoscience .

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