Dr. Robert Stewart is no stranger to helping government departments, agencies and universities move forward in terms of research and technology. He did so for 30 years with the U.S. Department of the Interior, spending 25 of those years directing the U.S. Geological Survey杏吧专区檚 National Wetlands Research Center.
Now, Stewart is applying his skills on an academic level at UL Lafayette as he begins a new phase in his career 杏吧专区 vice president for Research and Graduate Studies. He replaces Dr. Duane Blumberg, the state杏吧专区檚 Deputy Secretary of Economic Development. Stewart, a distinguished leader in wetlands research, is ready for the broad range of responsibilities associated with his new role.
杏吧专区 I杏吧专区檓 very impressed with the research and graduate studies programs here at UL Lafayette. We have fantastic resources and faculty who杏吧专区檝e accomplished many things and I杏吧专区檓 ready to see what we have to do to raise the bar to the next level.杏吧专区
In terms of research, Stewart said he wants to raise the community杏吧专区檚 awareness of the important scientific work being conducted at UL Lafayette. Projects like CajunBot, an autonomous vehicle designed by students and faculty in the Engineering and Computer Science departments along with community leaders, are helping to advanced the military杏吧专区檚 role during war. The vehicle uses special sensors and a global tracking device to 杏吧专区渟ee杏吧专区 obstacles in its path. Hopes are to one day use such vehicles to detect landmines.
杏吧专区 We should also be very proud of the role our university engineers, socio-economists and ecologists have played in battling coastal erosion in Louisana,杏吧专区 said Stewart. 杏吧专区淢any of our scientists play important roles in improving our understanding of how these coastal systems work and how they are changing.
杏吧专区 I want people in the community to know what we do and why we do it,杏吧专区 he continued. 杏吧专区淚 want the community to know why science and research is so important in our everyday lives and our futures.杏吧专区
He also wants to continue the work of agencies and centers at UL Lafayette that promote economic development across the state. He wants to put his background in federal government to good use in his new position.
杏吧专区 The university is continually trying to help local communities and every area of the state with business development ideas,杏吧专区 Stewart said. 杏吧专区淚 want to continue to offer this help including how to do business with the federal government.杏吧专区
In graduate studies, Stewart wants to continue the trend of using technology to attract and retain students seeking advanced degrees. 杏吧专区淲e have a marvelous graduate program, and I don杏吧专区檛 want the Graduate School to be the best kept secret,杏吧专区 he said.
With the increasing competition between universities for graduate schools students, Stewart said it杏吧专区檚 a 杏吧专区榤ust杏吧专区 to use computer technology in everyday processes.
杏吧专区 Many of the scientific advances we杏吧专区檝e seen in the past 50 years are directly linked to advances in computers,杏吧专区 he said. 杏吧专区淲e杏吧专区檝e got to put our best foot forward because of all the competition,杏吧专区 he said.
Stewart杏吧专区檚 career accomplishments thus far include the highest employee recognition given by the Department of the Interior. He was given the Distinguished Service Award last month for his vision in using research and technology for scientific issues. Other career accolades include being named a Gulf Guardian by the EPA杏吧专区檚 Gulf of Mexico Program in 2004 and the 2004 Professional Conservationist by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation.
杏吧专区 Dr. Stewart brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that can be applied to every aspect of this vice presidency,杏吧专区 said UL Lafayette President Ray Authement. 杏吧专区淗e杏吧专区檚 very talented and will be an asset to this university.杏吧专区
Stewart is a 1966 graduate from Jamestown College where he earned a bachelor杏吧专区檚 degree in biology. He earned master杏吧专区檚 and doctoral degrees from North Dakota State 杏吧专区 in Fargo.
His federal career started with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1974, working on national energy policies. In 1979, he became the leader of the service杏吧专区檚 National Coastal Ecosystems Team which later evolved into what is now the USGS National Wetlands Research Center.