Research Centers
CAPITAL SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
The Capitol Small Business Development Center (Capital SBDC), a public service unit of the College of Business, was established for the purpose of providing basic counseling services, training programs and seminars, and information assistance to potential and existing small businesses in a nine (9) parish area of South Louisiana. The counseling services include, but are not limited to: business transfer; minority business development; productivity improvement analysis; economic and financial analysis; and business management acumen. Workshops and seminars offered by the center cover a myriad of topics that are of interest to business owners and managers. In addition to the counseling and training services, the Capital SBDC maintains a resource library that contains business publications and general readings on starting and managing a small business. The Capital SBDC, one of twelve (12) university sub-centers, is affiliated with the Louisiana Small Business Development Consortium (LSBC).
For additional information contact: Mr. Gregory Spann, 1933 Wooddale Boulevard – Suite E, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 922-0998.
CENTER FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
The Center for Energy and Environmental Studies (CEES) was developed to promote interdisciplinary research, coordinate environmental and energy curricula development activities, and participate in the public policy arena where energy and environmental issues are concerned. These objectives are addressed through: development of basic, applied and policy research projects; sponsorship of workshops, seminars and conferences for students, professionals and the general public; and through facilitating technology transfer that affects the state of the environment. CEES has a multidisciplinary thrust involving a core staff of civil, environmental and mechanical engineers, microbiologists, environmental toxicologists, hydro-geologists and faculty and students from each college and school at the University.
For additional information, contact: Dr. Michael Stubblefield, P. O. Box 9764, Baton Rouge, LA 70813 (225) 771-4724.
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
The mission of the Center for International Development Programs is to provide a system-wide programmatic mechanism for promoting, initiating, and implementing international programs, consistent with Southern University's interest and capabilities as an autonomous entity, or in concert with other institutions or agencies. The center has participated in international development and research for over thirty years with operations totaling over $70 million.
For additional information, contact: Mr. Walter Wiles, P. O. Box 10604, Baton Rouge, LA 70813 (225) 771-2008.
HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER
The Health Research Center (HRC) is a biomedical research center that was developed for the purpose of advancing knowledge through basic and applied scientific research. The Health Research Center is University-wide in its origin and interdepartmental in its roles and functions. Faculty members are research investigators drawn from different research-oriented departments of the University with special emphasis on biomedical and/or related research projects.
HRC activities are designed to strengthen, enrich, and promote the academic programs of the participating departments in the College of Sciences and other areas of the University through scholarly and productive research efforts, seminars, presentations, symposia and community services. The HRC assists faculty members in their efforts to secure financial support for research and provides facilities for the same. Also, graduate and undergraduate students are provided opportunities for research training in the basic biomedical sciences.
For additional information, contact: Dr. Frederick Christian, P. O. Box 9921 Baton Rouge, LA 70813 (225) 771-4240.
CENTER FOR RURAL SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The Center for Rural and Small Business Development provides management and technical assistance to rural businesses and communities in the parishes of East (northern section) and West Baton Rouge, East and West Feliciana, Point Coupee, St. Helena and Iberville. Individuals interested in expanding and/or starting a business venture can receive business counseling assistance in areas such as personnel, management, fiscal management, loan packaging, procurement, certification, construction, bonding, marketing, public relations, etc. Through the Business Information System Network (BISNet), an electronic telecommunications initiative that provides rural areas with access to the Internet, business leaders can link to a network of corporate, government and private entities.
For additional information, contact: Ms. Theresa Keller, P. O. Box 9938, Baton Rouge, La 70813 (225) 771-3785.
The Center for Social Research was established to conduct interdisciplinary research and to implement programs that address the needs of African Americans. The center's research focuses on social, economic and demographic analysis, as well as, comparative studies of political behavior and attitudes of Black Americans. The goals of the center include: (1) conducting research on the attitudes and behaviors of Black Americans; (2) developing and implementing interdisciplinary applied research programs that target social problems in minority and disadvantaged communities; and (3) providing a mechanism by which students and faculty can have increased participation in developing strategies and implementing programs which address the problems and concerns of the community.
For additional information, contact: Dr. Alma Thornton, P. O. Box 9503, Baton Rouge, LA 70813 (225) 771-4249.
CENTER FOR WELLNESS
The Center for Wellness is a campus-based health education and research center designed to educate students, faculty, staff and the University community, in ways to develop and maintain healthy lifestyles. Emphasis is placed on early identification of risk factors associated with diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell disease, cancer, and other diseases that are disproportionately devastating to the African American (Black) population. The center attempts to be responsive to the needs of the campus population and communities throughout the State by conducting seminars, training programs, sponsoring health fairs, collaborating with other departments and community agencies and conducting general education activities. The center serves as a learning agency for students by providing them an opportunity to serve as volunteers as they seek to learn about health promotion and wellness.
For additional information, contact: Dr. Betty Fomby, P. O. Box 11491, Baton Rouge, LA 70813 (225) 771-5802.
NATIONAL PLANT DATA CENTER
The National Plant Data Center (NPDC) was established by the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for the purpose of providing leadership for the design, prioritization, collection, quality control, development, management, access, dissemination, interpretation, and marketing of plant information for the NRCS. The NPDC focuses resources on acquiring and integrating standard plant data required for field office activities and automated conservation tools that support natural resources information exchange throughout the NRCS and across Federal and State agencies. The center develops and maintains the PLANTS Web site <plants.usda.gov>, which serves to disseminate much of the developed information and helps to ensure efficient development of plant data and non-duplication of effort.
For additional information, contact: J. Scott Peterson, P. O. Box 74490 Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 (225) 775-6280.
RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES
The Southern University Research Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences (SRIPAS) coordinates the University's research efforts primarily in applied areas, as a collaborative effort with Louisiana State University. The SRIPAS program seeks cooperation with other research institutions to help promote an atmosphere conducive to quality research at Southern University and other participating institutions. In addition to the collaboration with Louisiana State University, SRIPAS has set up links with the University of New Orleans, Florida State University and others in an effort to utilize advanced equipment and expertise to create a research environment that benefits Southern University and participating institutions.
For additional information, contact: Dr. Rama Mohanty, P. O. Box 11202, Baton Rouge, LA 70813, (225) 771-4130.
SMALL FARM FAMILY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER
The mission of the Small Farm Family Resource Development Center is to improve the status of its clientele by providing educational and technical assistance aimed at increasing the productivity and profitability of Louisiana's small scale farms and addressing related clientele needs. A major part of the center's thrust involves evaluation and development of ecologically and economically sound sustainable agricultural production systems.
The center's programs are multi-disciplinary with collaboration among plant and soil scientists, economists and other social scientists, nutritionists, food scientists and animal scientists. The center works closely with the Cooperative Extension Program (CEP) in developing an outreach educational and technical assistance infrastructure for program delivery that reflects the strengths of the center and the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences (CAFCS) in addressing the needs of the identified clientele.
For additional information, contact: Dr. Kirkland Mellad, P. O. Box 9508, Baton Rouge, LA 70813 (225) 771-3660.
URBAN RECREATION RESEARCH CENTER
The Urban Recreation Research Center (URRC) was established in September 1998 as a result of a cooperative agreement between Southern University at Baton Rouge, Louisiana and the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS). The goal of the center is to conduct a sustained program of social science research that will yield usable knowledge for improving the quality of services delivered by the National Park Service. URRC works closely with the NPS Social Science Program, dedicated to preserving the nation's natural, cultural, and historical resources.
For additional information, contact: Dr. Alexander Appeaning, P. O. Box 9656, Baton Rouge, LA 70813 (225) 771-4182.
For more information, contact:
Dr.
Michael Stubblefield, Vice Chancellor
Office of Research and Strategic Initiatives
Physical Address: 730 Harding Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70813
Mailling Address: P.O. Box 9272, Baton Rouge, LA 70813
Phone: (225) 771-3890
Fax: (225) 771-5231
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
