$5.8M NSF-funded project tackles impacts of Gulf climate extremes

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Dr. Emad Habib is leading a new $5.8 million research project to address increasing flood risks and disproportionate impacts of climate extremes along the U.S. Gulf region. The research is funded by the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR. 

Habib is Endowed Chair and Professor of Civil Engineering and director of the Louisiana Watershed Flood Center and the Institute for Coastal and Water Research at UL Lafayette. 


This project, involving six major universities led by UL Lafayette, aims to provide vital support and solutions for communities most affected by these challenges. Three critical regions in the U.S. Gulf being targeted in this initiative include the Acadiana region in South Central Louisiana, the Mobile Bay region in Alabama, and the city of Jackson and surrounding communities in Mississippi. Universities collaborating with UL Lafayette on this project include the University of Alabama, Jackson State University, LSU, Tulane University and Tuskegee University. 

“This project represents a significant step forward in our efforts to support the most vulnerable communities in the U.S. Gulf region,” said Habib. “By combining our expertise across multiple disciplines and working closely with local stakeholders, we aim to develop practical solutions that not only address the immediate challenges of climate-intensified flooding but also build long-term resilience against future climate impacts on surface water quality and water infrastructure. This collaboration is essential for creating equitable adaptation and resource allocation strategies that truly serve the needs of these communities.” 

Recent studies indicate that climate extremes are intensifying weather events, such as heavy rains and floods, which lead to severe economic instability, social trauma and health problems.  


These impacts are disproportionately felt by historically marginalized communities, people of color and those with lower socioeconomic status. These groups often live in areas with inadequate water infrastructure and are typically excluded from climate adaptation plans. 

Researchers at UL Lafayette and partner universities will investigate why certain communities are more susceptible to climate extremes and their impacts; examine past climate impacts and forecast future changes; analyze patterns of historical disinvestment in water and wastewater infrastructure; create plans to help vulnerable communities adapt to climate extremes; strengthen research facilities; and support workforce development.  


According to Habib, the project will generate new data, predictive models, maps and planning tools, enabling local officials and community leaders to make informed decisions. By incorporating community input and addressing their specific needs, the project aims to develop equitable and effective climate adaptation strategies.  


This project is one of 14 announced on July 23 by NSF. Spanning 50 institutions across 21 jurisdictions, NSF’s $77.8 million investment aims to build research and development capacity and strengthen STEM education opportunities in states that have historically received lower levels of funding. 

“Every part of our nation has been impacted by the changing climate. We build a sustainable future for all by investing in climate resilience research and solutions across our country,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “By empowering researchers from different EPSCoR jurisdictions and enabling collaborations across diverse institutions from the Mountain West to the Gulf Coast, from the Southwest to the mid-Atlantic and New England and beyond, we are driving innovation that fosters STEM opportunities, economic growth and climate resilient communities.”

UL Lafayette's interdisciplinary team of researchers includes Dr. Liz Skilton, Department of History, Geography and Philosophy; Dr. Brian Schubert and Dr. Bingqing Li, School of Geosciences; Dr. Robert Miller and Dr. Mohamed Elsaadani, Department of Civil Engineering; and Dr. Anna Osland and Dr. Stephen Barnes, Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center.

It is set to begin this fall and continue for four years. It includes training and professional development opportunities for graduate students and early-career researchers at UL Lafayette and partner universities.