Dr. Helen Lou appointed to a new position at Lamar University’s Center for Midstream Management and Science
December 04, 2020 | by Shelly Vitanza
Lamar University’s Center for Midstream Management and Science is extremely pleased to announce that Dr. Helen Lou has joined the Midstream Center as the Associate Director - Research.
“I am extremely pleased and honored to have Dr. Lou, a senior faculty member in LU’s Chemical Engineering
Department in the College of Engineering, supporting us in our efforts to deliver value to the midstream sector,” said Thomas Kalb, director of the Midstream Center. “Dr. Lou will be the Midstream Center's research advisor, not only guiding and advising on new research projects to be funded by the Center, but also in managing ongoing, funded research. Additionally, she will be spearheading our efforts to enhance engineering course offerings by working with faculty to insert midstream centric modules in existing courses and, in the longer term, developing a Midstream Certificate that can be earned by both graduating LU students and industry professionals."
The midstream industry is an essential component of the nation’s energy and chemical infrastructure. Ongoing operations and construction in Texas’ oil and gas pipeline industry provided the state with more than $48.6 billion in economic impact and supported more than 238,000 jobs in 2019, according to a newly released study from the Texas Pipeline Association. The 86th Texas Legislature established the Midstream Center to develop a partnership between Lamar University and the midstream industry and to promote and lead practical research and technology development relevant to the midstream sector.
“The Center serves as a bridge between academia and the midstream industry,” said Lou. “As the nation’s only academic research center focusing on the midstream, the Midstream Center fosters technology innovations, commercialization, education and collaboration. The challenging problems facing the industry can be solved at an accelerated pace through Center’s efforts, and I’m excited to be on the frontlines to help solve those problems.”
Lou is a professor of chemical engineering and a Fellow of American Institute of Chemical Engineers. In addition to her rich experience in research, development and education, Lou was a board member of the Gulf Coast Regional Center of Innovation and Commercialization (2009 – 2015). She is a graduate of Wayne State University where she earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and an M.A. in computer science.
“With dual degrees in chemical engineering and computer science, my areas of expertise include process systems engineering, big data analytics and machine learning,” said Lou. “I have been applying these technologies for the sustainable development of chemical processing industry and energy industry. My experience in research, education, innovation and commercialization will bring insights to the strategic direction of Midstream Center and ensure the successful execution of the Center’s initiatives.”
“I am extremely pleased and honored to have Dr. Lou, a senior faculty member in LU’s Chemical Engineering
Department in the College of Engineering, supporting us in our efforts to deliver value to the midstream sector,” said Thomas Kalb, director of the Midstream Center. “Dr. Lou will be the Midstream Center's research advisor, not only guiding and advising on new research projects to be funded by the Center, but also in managing ongoing, funded research. Additionally, she will be spearheading our efforts to enhance engineering course offerings by working with faculty to insert midstream centric modules in existing courses and, in the longer term, developing a Midstream Certificate that can be earned by both graduating LU students and industry professionals."The midstream industry is an essential component of the nation’s energy and chemical infrastructure. Ongoing operations and construction in Texas’ oil and gas pipeline industry provided the state with more than $48.6 billion in economic impact and supported more than 238,000 jobs in 2019, according to a newly released study from the Texas Pipeline Association. The 86th Texas Legislature established the Midstream Center to develop a partnership between Lamar University and the midstream industry and to promote and lead practical research and technology development relevant to the midstream sector.
“The Center serves as a bridge between academia and the midstream industry,” said Lou. “As the nation’s only academic research center focusing on the midstream, the Midstream Center fosters technology innovations, commercialization, education and collaboration. The challenging problems facing the industry can be solved at an accelerated pace through Center’s efforts, and I’m excited to be on the frontlines to help solve those problems.”
Lou is a professor of chemical engineering and a Fellow of American Institute of Chemical Engineers. In addition to her rich experience in research, development and education, Lou was a board member of the Gulf Coast Regional Center of Innovation and Commercialization (2009 – 2015). She is a graduate of Wayne State University where she earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and an M.A. in computer science.
“With dual degrees in chemical engineering and computer science, my areas of expertise include process systems engineering, big data analytics and machine learning,” said Lou. “I have been applying these technologies for the sustainable development of chemical processing industry and energy industry. My experience in research, education, innovation and commercialization will bring insights to the strategic direction of Midstream Center and ensure the successful execution of the Center’s initiatives.”