The Earth and Energy Sciences PhD Program builds global connections

Our Students Embark on Journey to Kanazawa University as Ambassadors for Global Research and Educational Collaboration

Our Earth and Energy Science PhD program aims to cultivate a new generation of scientists equipped with global research, educational, and cultural experiences.  In March 2023, two of our PhD students, Gracie Babineaux and Naomi Mathew, traveled to Kanazawa University, Japan, as student-ambassadors to help build the foundation for collaborative research and education between UL Lafayette and Kanazawa University. This unique professional journey was made possible through the support of Kanazawa University and The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), equivalent to the US National Science Foundation. On their trip  the students were warmly welcomed and escorted by Dr. Takashi Hasegawa. Dr. Hasegawa facilitated meetings with the Vice President of the Kanazawa University, the head of Administration, and a myriad of faculty who are interested in developing collaborative research projects with the UL Lafayette College of  Sciences. Gracie and Naomi gave presentations about their dissertation research projects and toured many research laboratories. When the students were not on campus, Dr. Hasegawa and  his graduate students, put on their tour guide hats and introduced Gracie and Naomi to deep cultural heritage and natural beauty of not only Kanazawa, but also the Ishikawa Prefecture. Though short, the trip was productive and transformative.
Later in March Dr. Hasegawa and Dr. Kamiya visited UL Lafayette, met with the EESC program faculty, the Dean of Sciences, the Dean of Graduate School, the Assistant VP for Research,  and exchanged the letters of collaboration signed by the Presidents of both universities. In April  President Takashi Wada appointed Dr. Carl Richter (School of Geosciences) as Collaborative Professor at Kanazawa University.