Deidre Deculus Robert was appointed by President Joe Biden as State Director of Rural Development for Louisiana.
State directors of rural development serve as the general director of rural development and carry out the mission of the agency.
Robert has over two decades of experience in legal, administrative and executive management. She served as assistant city attorney in the East Baton Parish Attorney’s Office, assistant attorney general in the Louisiana Department of Justice, executive attorney in the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, and general counsel in the Southern University and the A&M College System.
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The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine recently presented the following awards:
Alexandra Noel, Assistant Professor in the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, received the Zoetis Award for Excellence in Research. Zoetis presents an honorarium and an engraved plaque to a faculty member who has excelled in veterinary medical research over the past two years. Noël’s research focuses on aerosol production and characterization, as well as inhalation and developmental toxicology. This includes studying engineered nanoparticles, second-hand smoke, e-cigarette vapour, hookah smoke, and a multi-pollutant approach to simulate real-world exposure scenarios.
Shisheng Li, professor in the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, received the Distinguished Scholar Award from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. An honorarium and an engraved plaque are awarded to a faculty member who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of veterinary medicine through research and/or academic activities. Li’s research focuses on the mechanisms of DNA damage repair and mutagenesis.
Dr. Andrew Lewin, Assistant Professor of Veterinary Ophthalmology, received the Andrew Lackner Mentorship Award. This award honors the memory of Dr. Andrew Lackner, former director of the Tulane National Primate Research Center, and his dedication to training scientists. Lewin’s research focuses on ocular infectious diseases, next generation sequencing and clinical veterinary ophthalmology. He mentors veterinary students, interns, and residents at the LSU Vet Med Veterinary Teaching Hospital.