Faculty
Dr. Robert Twilley
Professor, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Science
Executive Director, Louisiana Sea Grant College Program
B.S. East Carolina University, 1974; Biology
M.S. East Carolina University, 1976; Biology
Ph.D. University of Florida, 1982; Plant Ecology/Systems Ecology
Postdoc. Horn Point Laboratory University of Maryland, 1982; Coastal Oceanography
Research Topics: System ecology and biogeochemistry of coastal wetlands, conceptual and simulation models, coastal ecosystem restoration, nutrient dynamics
Recent Publications
Postdocs
Dr. Andre Rovai 
B.S. Universidade Santa Cecília, Brazil, 2001; Marine Biology
M.S. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil, 2012; Ecology
Ph.D. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil, 2016; Ecology
Research Topics: Estuarine and coastal ecosystems, Ecology and biogeochemistry of coastal wetlands, Landscape modeling of coastal ecosystems, Restoration and management of coastal systems
Recent Publications
Graduate Students
Alex Christensen - Ph.D student, DOCS 
B.S. University of California, Berkeley, 2011; Conservation and Resource Studies, Minor in Forestry and Natural Resources
M.S. Louisiana State University, 2017; Coastal and Ecological Engineering;
Research Topics: Saving the world.
Personal Interests: Adventuring, insect collecting, being an outdoorswoman, camping, biking
Song Li - Ph.D student, DOCS 
B.S. Liaocheng University, Geoscience, 2012;
M.S. Ocean University of China, Marine Geology, 2016
Research Topics: Nitrogen cycle in wetland systems and its influence to environment, wetland biogeochemistry
Personal Interests: Traveling, dogs, cats and outdoor activities.
Kathleen Eubanks - M.S. student, CEE 
B.S. Texas A&M University, 2016; Bioenvironmental Science, minors in Anthropology and STEM education
Research Topics: using social media to extract spatial and temporal data to apply to flood modeling in the Amite River Basin, coastal wetland ecology, ecological modeling
Personal Interests: exploring, running, crafting, cooking and eating Italian and Cajun cuisine
Alexandre Cowles - M.S. student, CEE
B.S. McGill University, 2016; Biology, minors in Environment and Political Science
Research Topics: Coastal wetland ecology and restoration, ecological engineering, flood control
Personal Interests: Member of LSU Ice Hockey, Pleistocene rewilding, jazz bass, cars, good food, adventuring
Amanda Fontenot - M.S. student, CEE 
B.S. Louisiana State University, 2018; Coastal Environmental Science, minor in Biology and English
Research Topics: Coastal and ecological engineering, wetland biogeochemistry, nutrient cycling in coastal wetlands, coastal zone management and restoration, sediment accretion
Zoë Shribman - M.S. student, DOCS 
B.S. Eckerd College, 2017; Marine Science- Biology, minor in Environmental Studies
Research Topics: Mangrove systems ecology, blue carbon, coastal restoration, biogeochemistry in coastal wetlands
Undergraduate Students
Denise Poveda - Coastal Environmental Science, expected December 2020 
Research Topics: Decomposition in wetland soils, biogeochemistry of coastal wetlands, restoration of coastal systems
Personal Interests: Traveling, outdoor activities, movies, swimming
Past Members
Anika Aarons 
B.A. Mount Holyoke College, 2013; Environmental Studies, with a concentration in Ecosystem Science
Ph.D Louisiana State University, 2019; Oceanography and Coastal Sciences
Research Topics: Wetland biogeochemistry, nutrient cycling, soil microbiology
Personal Interests: Swimming, Poetry, Nature Photography
Annabeth McCall 
B.A. American University, 2011; Environmental Studies
Master of Urban and Regional Planning, University of New Orleans, 2014; Environmental Planning
Research Topics: Deltaic systems, primary production and soil accretion processes in wetlands. Connections between coastal systems.
Personal Interests: birdwatching, traveling, spicy food and great danes
Madeline LeBlanc 
Currently: M.S. Student in Water and Coastal Management through the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree Program
B.S. Louisiana State University, Coastal and Environmental Science, 2018
Research Interests: Coastal land loss, wetland chemistry, surfactant toxicity, atmospheric aerosols
Personal Interests: Traveling, dancing, food, adventures, photography
Shelby Hauck
B.S. Environmental Management Systems, 2015
Personal Interests: Jet skis, Empanadas, and The Great Outdoors
Azure Bevington 
Currently: Coastal Ecologist and Principal Consultant
Ph.D Louisiana State University, 2017; Oceanography and Coastal Sciences
M.S. Virginia Institute of Marine Science at The College of William and Mary, 2007; Marine Science
B.S. Coastal Carolina University, 2005; Marine Science, with a minor in Biology
Research Topics: Coastal wetland ecology, biogeochemistry, plant community succession, ecogeomorphological interactions
Personal Interests: Travel, hiking, camping, growing stuff and making things
Dr. Edward Castaneda
Currently: Research Assistant Professor at the Southeast Environmental Research Center at Florida International University
Ph.D Louisiana State University, 2010; Oceanography and Coastal Sciences with a minor in Applied Statistics
M.S. University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2003; Biology
B.S. Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lazano, Colombia, 1998; Marine Biology
Research Topics: Estuarine and coastal ecosystems, Ecology and biogeochemistry of coastal wetlands, Landscape modeling of coastal ecosystems, Restoration and management of coastal systems
Dr. Leanna Heffner
Currently : Partnership Director for the Northwest Boreal Landscape Conservation Cooperative
Ph.D University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, 2013,; Biological Oceanography
B.A. Vassar College, 2004; Biology
Research Topics: Estuarine ecosystems; coastal wetlands; nutrient dynamics of coastal systems; anthropogenic stressors; eutrophication; coupled human-natural systems; science communication with non-science audiences; approaches through integration of natural sciences, social sciences, and design