Mt. Carmel Grad Conducts
Coastal Research
May
30, 2007
Mallorie Albrecht, a 2005 graduate of Mt. Carmel
Academy, is conducting scientific research as part of the Undergraduate
Research Opportunities Program, established by Louisiana Sea
Grant.
Albrecht’s research project is titled
“Percentage Mixture and Biodegradability of Polyhydroxyalkanoate/
Bagasse Composite in Seawater: Potential for Coastal Erosion
Application.” Under the mentorship of Dr. Kelly Rusch,
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Louisiana
State University, Albrecht is studying a biodegradable composite
consisting of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a bio-based polyester;
and bagasse, an agricultural by-product from Louisiana’s
sugarcane industry.
Saltwater biodegrades the PHA/bagasse composite,
leaving new reefs suitable for oyster production that also can
help protect the state’s coast from erosive waves. Albrecht
hopes to determine the correct percent mass and thickness of
the composite for creating durable reefs.
She is the daughter of Robin and Lesa Albrecht
of New Orleans, and the granddaughter of Deanny and Peter Albrecht
of Sorrento and Joan Soot and Louis Mullet of New Orleans.
UROP provides talented undergraduate students
interested in advanced studies in marine-related disciplines
with hands-on research experience. The program is designed to
increase the student’s competitiveness as a graduate student,
help them make career-related decisions, and establish working
relationships with university
faculty.
Since its establishment in 1968, Louisiana
Sea Grant has worked to promote stewardship of the state’s
coastal resources through a combination of research, education
and outreach programs critical to the cultural, economic and
environmental health of Louisiana’s coastal zone. Louisiana
Sea Grant, based at LSU, is part of
the National Sea Grant Program, a network of 32 university-based
programs in each of the U.S. coastal and Great Lakes states
and Puerto Rico.
