About the Institute for Energy Innovation
From the Director
Welcome to the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation!
We are driven by a common passion: to revolutionize the way we generate, store, and use energy. Our faculty members are at the forefront of cutting-edge research, committed to exploring innovative solutions that will shape our energy future. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, we strive to break down silos and foster a dynamic environment where experts from diverse fields converge to tackle complex energy challenges.
Energy is a fundamental pillar of modern society, impacting everything from economic development to environmental sustainability. Recognizing the immense importance of this field, our institute is dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research that not only advances the frontiers of knowledge but also translates into real-world applications and policy recommendations. We firmly believe that addressing the multifaceted energy issues of our time requires an integrated approach that brings together scientists, engineers, economists, policy analysts, and social scientists on the academic side with industry, government, and communities in Louisiana and beyond.
One of the unique strengths of our institute is our close collaboration with public and private entities. Through these collaborations, we bridge the gap between academia, the energy sector, and the greater community, ensuring that our research remains relevant, impactful, and aligned with broader needs. We take great pride in our ability to translate our scientific findings into practical solutions that can drive sustainable energy transitions and foster economic growth and environmentally responsible energy for all through a just and equity-driven pathway.
In addition to our research endeavors, the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation is committed to nurturing the next generation of energy leaders. We provide a rich and stimulating educational environment where students can engage in cutting-edge research, gain valuable hands-on experience, and develop the skills necessary to thrive in the rapidly evolving energy landscape.
I invite you to explore our website and discover the exciting work being conducted by our faculty, students, and researchers. Whether you are a prospective student, a potential collaborator, or simply interested in learning more about energy innovation, we welcome you to join us on this transformative journey. Together, let us create a sustainable and prosperous energy future for all.
Director, LSU Institute for Energy Innovation
Brad Ives
LSU Institute for Energy Innovation Director Brad Ives
Hear more about Brad’s vision for the Institute from his interview on Strictly Business
Our Vision
A national model, where leaders in energy-related thought, talent development and industry will have the opportunity to invest in the pursuit of a shared vision for the future of energy.
Our Mission
To be an independent, trusted, and valued voice of the energy transition, supporting state, community, and parish policy development.
Our Focus
Our focus is to provide quality research. We strive to produce both short- and long-term research, development, and demonstration that secure Louisiana's energy future and drive LSU's Scholarship First Agenda. We are dedicated to effectively communicating the work of the institute to stakeholders. Our aim is to catalyze additional fundraising, grant funding, and research to foster sustained growth.
Institute Leadership
Brad Ives
Executive Director
Brad Ives is the Executive Director of the Institute for Energy Innovation at Louisiana State University. Prior to joining LSU in 2023, Mr. Ives led Catawba College to become the first certified carbon-neutral college in the Southeast as Executive Director of its Center for the Environment. He also served as Chief Sustainability Officer and Associate Vice Chancellor at the University of North Carolina and as North Carolina’s Assistant Secretary for Natural Resources where he drove policy resulting in the state’s first wind farm.
Mr. Ives began his career as a finance lawyer on Wall Street where he worked on Louisiana’s only hydroelectric power plant. He later moved to institutional money management working on an early clean technology venture capital fund and spending four years in London.
After returning to the U.S., Mr. Ives developed an award-winning landfill gas project to supply renewable energy to ExxonMobil’s Baton Rouge Polyolefins Plant. Mr. Ives also led a biomass energy technology company and worked in energy storage and solar power sectors.
Mr. Ives holds the Sustainability and Climate Risk Certificate from the Global Association of Risk Professionals, is a GRI Certified Sustainability Professional and is the recipient of the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association’s Individual Energy Leader Award. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Law degrees from the University of North Carolina where he was a Morehead-Cain Scholar.
Dr. Margaret Reams
Associate Director for Community Engagement
Dr. Margaret Reams is the Joseph D. Martinez Professor of Environmental Sciences within LSU’s College of the Coast and Environment and serves as the Associate Director for Community Engagement at the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation.
Dr. Reams is an expert in community engagement theory and methods as they relate to environmental policy development and implementation. A political scientist with 30 years of experience, she has taught graduate courses in environmental policy, program evaluation, environmental planning, and conflict resolution. Her research focuses on working with Louisiana agencies and communities to enhance resilience to environmental disturbances. She was also a co-principal investigator on the $12.5 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences that established the LSU Superfund Research Center.
Dr. Reams has led focus groups and community surveys on environmental and land-use policy preferences, attitudes, and risk perceptions concerning environmental hazards, remediation strategies, and technologies. She received the LSU Foundation Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award for her exceptional graduate-level teaching and mentoring, having supervised over ninety MS theses on various environmental policy and public attitude issues. Dr. Reams holds an undergraduate degree from Huntingdon College and an MA and PhD in political science from the University of Georgia.
William Spatafora
Research Coordinator
As a dedicated Research Coordinator at Louisiana State University’s Institute for Energy Innovation, William Spatafora plays a pivotal role in advancing energy research and sustainability initiatives. He holds an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from Louisiana Tech University and an M.S. in Environmental Sciences from Louisiana State University.
A proud Louisiana native, William is deeply committed to promoting a healthier and more sustainable future for his home state. His passion for environmental stewardship drives his work, focusing on innovative solutions to energy challenges and enhancing the well-being of Louisiana’s communities.
In his current role, William excels in coordinating research projects, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and managing data to support groundbreaking studies. With a background in epidemiology, he brings a unique perspective to his work, integrating public health insights with environmental research.
William’s professional interests lie at the intersection of energy innovation and environmental health. He is particularly passionate about developing strategies that foster sustainable growth and resilience in Louisiana’s unique ecosystems.
Advisory Board
- Kimberly Lewis, Louisiana State University
- Robert Twilley, Louisiana State University
- Colette Hirstius, Shell
- Selda Gunsel, Shell
- Lee Stockwell, Shell
- Greg Bowser, Louisiana Chemical Association
- Tommy Faucheux, Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association
Why LSU?
Louisiana produces approximately 15 percent of the nation’s oil and 10 percent of its natural gas. It has the second-highest oil refining capacity in the U.S., with the state’s 14 refineries processing approximately 3 million barrels of oil per day. In 2023, Louisiana exported over $54 billion in hydrocarbon-based products—including liquid fuels, liquefied natural gas, chemicals, and plastics—worldwide.
This makes LSU ground zero for the research, education, and training that is driving global transformation. Due to the university’s generational expertise and geographic location, we are uniquely positioned to partner with industry and government agencies to advance new discoveries and provide the best practical and theoretical educational opportunities for the next generation of Louisiana’s and America’s energy workforce.