Recent LSU News
LSU News chronicles the university's outstanding academic accomplishments, innovative research, and world-changing partnerships and achievements. Find more stories of high-performing students, faculty, staff, researchers, and alumni at our university blog.
![Mark Batzer](https://www.lsu.edu/mediacenter/images/batzer_portrait-crop.jpg)
LSU Researchers Show Mobile Elements Monkeying Around the Genome
Today, an LSU research team led by Mark Batzer, a geneticist, along with 30 collaborators around the world present new research in the journal Science on surprising genetic diversity as well as commonality among six very different-looking species of African baboons.
![2023 Louisiana Survey Shows Support for Legal Abortion Grows](/_resources_fierce/img/lsu-memorial-tower-morning.jpg)
2023 Louisiana Survey Shows Support for Legal Abortion Grows
Researchers from the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication have released the third report of the 2023 Louisiana Survey. Findings show most residents support legal abortion when the mother’s life is in serious danger and in cases of rape, but opinion divides on other cases.
![LSU Names Robert T. Smith Chancellor of LSU Shreveport](/_resources_fierce/img/lsu-memorial-tower-morning.jpg)
LSU Names Robert T. Smith Chancellor of LSU Shreveport
LSU has named Robert T. Smith the Chancellor of LSU Shreveport, effective July 10, pending approval by the LSU Board of Supervisors.
![2023 Louisiana Survey Shows Homeowners Face Insurance Challenges](/_resources_fierce/img/lsu-memorial-tower-morning.jpg)
2023 Louisiana Survey Shows Homeowners Face Insurance Challenges
Researchers from the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication have released the second report of the 2023 Louisiana Survey. Findings show homeowners experience canceled policies, difficulty getting new coverage and rising costs.
![Honoring the Past While Committing to the Future](/_resources_fierce/img/lsu-memorial-tower-morning.jpg)
Honoring the Past While Committing to the Future
LSU has named James P. Gregory Jr. the Director for the William A. Brookshire LSU Military Museum. Gregory is an expert in military history, specifically World War I.
![Col. Christian Patterson](https://www.lsu.edu/working-for-louisiana/images/2023/wfl_0423_patterson_illo.jpg)
Building Coastal Infrastructure for Communities and National Security
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one of the world’s largest engineering, design and construction management agencies. Its methods and tools are researched and developed by the Engineer Research and Development Center, commanded by LSU Manship School of Mass Communication alumnus Col. Christian Patterson.
![LSU Coastal Experts to Present Latest Findings, Collaborative Work at Biennial State of the Coast Conference](/_resources_fierce/img/lsu-memorial-tower-morning.jpg)
LSU Coastal Experts to Present Latest Findings, Collaborative Work at Biennial State of the Coast Conference
Louisiana’s coast is a cultural resource and economic driver for the globe. Yet, the challenges of coastal land loss brought by sea level rise, erosion and subsidence—as well as severe weather and flooding—continue to threaten the state. Next week, solutions to increase the resilience and sustainability of natural resources, communities and industries in Louisiana will be on proud display at State of the Coast.
![Crime Tops List of Public’s Concerns in 2023 Louisiana Survey by LSU Manship School](https://www.lsu.edu/manship/images/la-survey-ig.jpg)
Crime Tops List of Public’s Concerns in 2023 Louisiana Survey by LSU Manship School
Researchers from the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication have released the first report of the 2023 Louisiana Survey. Findings show residents remain pessimistic about the direction of the state, and confidence in state government remains low.
![LSU to Mark Memorial Day at Noon Ceremony](https://www.lsu.edu/mediacenter/images/memorialday.jpeg)
LSU to Mark Memorial Day at Noon Ceremony
LSU will honor its former students, faculty and staff as well as all veterans who have given their lives in service to their country on Tuesday, May 30, traditional Memorial Day.
![Self-powered Lights Could Ignite Algae Industry](https://www.lsu.edu/mediacenter/images/algaelight.jpg)
LSU Experts Patent Self-powered Lights That Could Ignite Algae Industry
Two LSU faculty members have been awarded a U.S. patent for a miniature, self-powered light that boosts the production of algae used for health supplements, food, dyes and biofuels.
![Donna Bailey and Dr. Brian Elkins](https://www.lsu.edu/working-for-louisiana/images/2023/wfl_0423_royomartin_donna_bailey_brian_elkins_illo.jpg)
Driving Agricultural Innovation by Growing People First
Innovation isn’t always about the latest technology. Sometimes it’s about transforming an organization by making its people happier, healthier and more successful. At RoyOMartin, Louisiana’s largest landowner and maker of wood products, LSU alumna Donna Bailey and LSU/LSU Health Shreveport alumnus Dr. Brian Elkins have helped build an educational system as well as a healthcare system—within the company—to support RoyOMartin employees and their families.
![Barbara Griffin](https://www.lsu.edu/working-for-louisiana/images/2023/wfl_0423_griffin__illo.jpg)
Caring for People in Central Louisiana
As head of nursing at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, LSUA nursing alumna Barbara Griffin is not only providing critically needed medical care for people in Central Louisiana, but also ensuring jobs and professional advancement for hundreds of LSUA nursing alumni.
![LSU Awards More Than 4,500 Degrees During Spring Commencement](/_resources_fierce/img/lsu-memorial-tower-morning.jpg)
LSU Awards More Than 4,500 Degrees During Spring Commencement
LSU awarded 4,514 degrees to graduates at the university’s 310th commencement exercises today. The spring graduating class represents 58 Louisiana parishes, 49 states and 62 countries.
![ROTC Cadets Commissioned as Part of Spring 2023 Commencement Exercises](https://www.lsu.edu/mediacenter/images/rotc_general1.jpg)
ROTC Cadets Commissioned as Part of Spring 2023 Commencement Exercises
Fifteen LSU graduates were recognized during LSU's spring commissioning ceremony on Thursday, May 18, in The Student Union Theater. Lt. Gen. Milford H. Beagle, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kan., served as keynote speaker for the ceremony.
![LSU Mechanical Engineering Graduate to Build Rockets for Blue Origin](https://www.lsu.edu/eng/images/NewsArticles/blueoriginstoryweb.jpg)
LSU Mechanical Engineering Graduate to Build Rockets for Blue Origin
When LSU Mechanical Engineering senior Bailey Smoorenburg walks across the stage at graduation this Friday, she will not only feel proud of her accomplishments during her time at LSU but will also be thinking of all the packing she must do before making the long trip to the Pacific Northwest. In June, Smoorenburg is moving to Seattle to work for Blue Origin, an aerospace and space exploration company founded by Amazon pioneer Jeff Bezos. There, she will have rockets going into space quicker than an Amazon Prime delivery.