Media Center (Blog)

When I stepped into the role of Research Ambassadors President at LSU, I was not handed a script or a manual. I was given people—curious, capable, uncertain—and a responsibility to make research legible, inviting, and alive. Leadership, I learned quickly, is something you work at.

For many LSU students, Mardi Gras is not just a celebration. It is a part of their childhood, Louisiana culture, and their sense of home. They grew up along Louisiana parade routes, catching beads from floats, sharing king cake with family, and learning early what the season means to the communities around them. Today, those same students are bringing those lived experiences into the research lab.

LSU’s DeepFire research team is using AI to predict wildfires weeks in advance with 90% accuracy, giving fire managers time to act. The multidisciplinary effort showcases LSU’s leadership in research, teamwork, and solutions that protect communities and natural resources.