Jeremiah Ariaz Awarded a 2026 Guggenheim Fellowship

Art & Design, Research, Honors & Awards, Art, Photography, Faculty

Fourth Estate, by Jeremiah Ariaz.

Jeremiah Ariaz, professor of art/photography, has been awarded a 2026 Guggenheim Fellowship in Photography, as part of the Guggenheim Foundation’s 101st Class of Fellows of trailblazing artists, scientists, and scholars across 55 fields.

Ariaz will focus his fellowship on his project The Fourth Estate in the Heart of America, a photographic and editorial project documenting the state’s newspaper offices as a celebration of local journalism’s civic role and a lament for its decline.

His photographs examine the constructs of American identity within personal, community, and political contexts.

Ariaz is a recipient of numerous awards and grants, including an ATLAS grant, the Michael P. Smith Award for Documentary Photography from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the 2018 South Arts Finalist Prize and he was named the 2018 Louisiana State Fellow. His photographs have been featured in publications including Oxford American, The Paris Review and The New York Times. His writing has been published in the Symphony in the Flint Hills Field Journal, Southern Cultures and The Washington Post.

A monograph of his photographs, Louisiana Trail Riders (2018) is available from UL Press. His recent publication, The Kansas Mirror: The Fourth Estate in the Heart of America (2023) features newspaper offices across his home state. Read more.

His photographs have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions internationally, including venues such as the Ogden Museum of Southern Art (New Orleans, LA), Lawndale Art Center (Houston, TX), Des Moines Art Center (Des Moines, IA), Columbus Museum of Art (Columbus, GA), Museum of Contemporary Art (Jacksonville, FL), the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University (Durham, NC), Zeitgeist Gallery (Nashville, TN), Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art (Manhattan, KS), the Acadiana Center For The Arts (Lafayette, LA), Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN), B Gallery (Rome, Italy), Photographic Gallery (San Miguel de Allende, Mexico) The Foreign Correspondents’ Club (Hong Kong, China).

He received his BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and MFA from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has taught at the LSU School of Art since 2006.

About the Guggenheim Fellowship

The Board of Trustees of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation announced their appointment of the 101st class of Guggenheim Fellows in April 2026, including 223 distinguished individuals working across 55 disciplines. Chosen through a rigorous application and peer review process from a pool of nearly 5,000 applicants, the Class of 2026 Guggenheim Fellows was tapped based on both prior career achievement and exceptional promise. As established in 1925 by founder Senator Simon Guggenheim, each Fellow receives a monetary stipend to pursue independent work at the highest level under “the freest possible conditions.”   

“Our new class of Guggenheim Fellows is representative of the world’s best thinkers, innovators, and creators in art, science, and scholarship,” said Edward Hirsch, award-winning poet and President of the Guggenheim Foundation. “As the Foundation enters its second century and looks to the future, I feel confident that this new class of 223 individuals will do bold and inspiring work, undaunted by the challenges ahead. We are honored to support their visionary contributions.”   

The Guggenheim Foundation has always been committed to awarding Fellowships at the highest level. Since its founding in 1925, the Foundation has awarded nearly $450 million in fellowships to more than 19,000 Fellows. This year, applications in the Creative Arts and Humanities were up by 50% and applications in the Sciences were up by 86%. At a time when intellectual and creative life is under attack, the Foundation continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting extraordinary individuals breaking new ground in the Creative Arts, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, and a range of interdisciplinary fields. 

In all, 55 scholarly disciplines and artistic fields, 97 academic institutions, 33 US states and the District of Columbia, three Canadian provinces, and eight countries beyond the United States and Canada are represented in the 2026 class. The Fellows range in age from 28 to 76, and around one third do not hold a full-time affiliation with a college or university.   

“Fellows’ projects grapple with timeless themes and timely issues. They explore the promise and perils of artificial intelligence, propose life-changing advancements in medical technology, unearth the historical roots of contemporary crises, and forge new directions in artistic expression.” 

Read more:

Announcing the 2026 Guggenheim Fellows — Guggenheim Fellowships: Supporting Artists, Scholars, & Scientists

Art & Design Faculty Pilot STEM “Big Ideas”

Art & Design, Research, Landscape Architecture, Honors & Awards, Art, Digital Art, Graphic Design, Printmaking, Architecture, Faculty, Doctor of Design, ,

LSU College of Art & Design faculty researchers lead and collaborate on 4 out of the 7 “Big Ideas in STEM and Social & Behavioral Sciences” projects of selected 2026 Provost’s Fund for Innovation in Research Awards, out of 71 applicants this year.

“Congratulations to all—this may be a record achievement for the LSU College of Art & Design!” said Rod Parker, Director of the LSU School of Art.

The projects span issues from a local to global scale, addressing critical infrastructure in Louisiana with an AI-ready digital twin platform to enhancing human-robot interaction and workforce readiness in construction, to ecological and environmental resilience testing.

From Simulation to Design: AI-Enabled NNBS Workflows for Coastal and Defense Resilience

Assistant professor of landscape architecture Fabiana Trindade da Silva will complete an artificial intelligence (AI) agent designed to test ecological levees under different storm and flooding conditions. With this project, she and her team aim to learn ways that structures and landscapes can be built in an ecologically restorative way while enhancing flood and coastal resilience, resulting in concrete steps for their pilot site of LaBranche Wetlands that will benefit the environment and community. Collaborators on the project include Matthew Hiatt, associate professor of oceanography and coastal sciences, and Md Adilur Rahim, assistant professor of research at LSU AgCenter.

“The goal of this project is to develop a design-centered, interdisciplinary workflow that integrates environmental modeling, artificial intelligence, and nature-based solutions to translate complex data into actionable strategies for resilient coastal and infrastructure systems,” Dr. Silva said.

The Digital Human Initiative

Building a Next-Generation Platform for Human Performance, Health, and Immersive Simulation

The Digital Human Initiative, a platform that can scan, model and analyze the human body across a wide range of metrics to generate insights for health and athletic performance, is led by assistant professor of digital art Jessica Hogan, and digital art faculty collaborators Christine Bruening, Derick Ostrenko, and Jason Jamerson. Co-collaborators include Marc Aubanel, adjunct professor and director of digital media arts and engineering, Guillaume Spielmann, associate professor of kinesiology, Neil Johannsen, professor of kinesiology; David Shepherd, associate professor of computer science and engineering; and Tasnuva Farheen, assistant professor of computer science and engineering.

The new LSU research platform integrates human biology, athletic performance, and immersive simulation into a unified system. The proposal centers on the design and construction of a 125 camera photogrammetry scanning array capable of producing ultra-realistic digital representation of a person, one that serves as far more than a visual likeness.

At the heart of the initiative is a deceptively simple idea: that a realistic, personalized avatar can function as the user interface for a person’s complete health, wellness, and performance data. Today, the information that doctors, coaches, trainers, and researchers rely on exists in disconnected silos. Sleep data gathered by fitness wearables, MRI and DEXA scans, motion capture, gait analysis, and biomechanical performance metrics are each valuable on their own, but the relationships between them are difficult to see and nearly impossible to act on in any coordinated way. The Digital Human Initiative brings all of that data into a single, intuitive visual framework, anchored to a photorealistic digital human built in Epic’s Unreal Engine.

“Within this platform, a doctor can examine structural data from an MRI alongside recovery trends pulled from wearable sensors. A coach can correlate an athlete’s sleep patterns with their movement efficiency and performance output over time. A trainer can visualize biomechanical data in the context of an athlete’s full physical profile. A built-in AI agent system works across these data streams to identify patterns, flag anomalies, and generate predictive models for performance trajectories and injury recovery timelines,” the researchers wrote.

The project is led through LSU’s XR Studio and Visualization, Interactivity, and Simulation group, with pilot studies planned in partnership with LSU Athletics and the School of Kinesiology. The initiative positions LSU among a small number of national institutions pioneering digital human research.

Immersive Intelligent Training Framework for Human-Robot Interaction

This project addresses the growing need to prepare construction workers to collaborate with intelligent robotic systems, Jamerson said.

“This framework will use virtual reality, augmented reality and AI feedback to help construction workers learn how to work more safely, efficiently and effectively as their field increasingly incorporates robots and other forms of automation,” the researchers wrote.

The research team is developing a training framework that combines virtual reality, augmented reality, and adaptive AI feedback to create personalized, data-driven learning experiences. Participants progress through four levels of human-robot interaction, from direct robot operation to full simultaneous collaboration, while the system tracks performance metrics, gaze patterns, and movement data to assess outcomes including trust calibration and situational awareness.

School of Art faculty member and XR Studio Director Jason Jamerson serves as co-investigator, “contributing expertise in immersive environment design and cognitive-affective evaluation,” he said. He is an assistant professor of digital art specializing in virtual production and immersive media and has a join appointment in the College of Music & Dramatic Arts.

The project is led by Amirhosein Jafari, associate professor of construction management, with co-investigators including: Andrew Webb, assistant professor of computer science and engineering; Ali Kazemian, assistant professor of construction; Jennifer Qian, associate professor of learning analytics and educational technology; and Yimin Zhu, professor of construction management (College of Engineering).

“This project reflects LSU’s commitment to interdisciplinary approaches in workforce development research,” Jamerson said. Pilot testing will be conducted with undergraduate students at LSU’s BIM Cave, with findings targeted for publication and presentation at national engineering education conferences.

The goal: the integrate robotics and emerging technology for practical applications in the construction industry.

AI-Ready Digital Twin Platform for Multi-Energy Systems and Critical Infrastructure in Louisiana

The interdisciplinary project will construct a secure AI-integrated digital twin that can be used to predict future maintenance, assess risk and make informed decisions to manage Louisiana’s energy, civil and industrial infrastructure. The project is a collaboration with LSU engineering faculty and Jamerson.

“This project addresses a pressing challenge facing Louisiana and the nation: how to monitor, maintain, and protect critical infrastructure systems including bridges, levees, pipelines, refineries, and ports as they face compounding threats from aging materials, land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, and increasingly severe hurricanes. The research team is developing an AI-ready digital twin platform that integrates physics-based modeling, multimodal sensing, machine learning, and resilient IoT communications into a unified system capable of predictive maintenance, dynamic risk assessment, and real-time decision support.

The project is organized around four technical areas covering system architecture, adaptive AI and sensor fusion, resilient communications, and cybersecurity and privacy. Field validation is planned in partnership with industry collaborators including Forte and Tablada, CITGO Petroleum, and Sandia National Laboratories, ensuring that the platform is tested against real infrastructure conditions rather than purely simulated environments.

As co-investigator, Jamerson contributes expertise in human-in-the-loop system design, immersive analytics, and cognitive modeling. His role centers on developing visualization interfaces that make AI-driven decision-making legible and trustworthy to the operators who rely on these systems.

“This human-centered design dimension is a distinguishing feature of the project, reflecting a recognition that technical capability alone is insufficient without interfaces that operators can understand, trust, and act on effectively,” he said.

The project is led by associate professor of electrical and computer engineering  Xiangwei Zhou, with co-investigators Yuanhang Chen, associate professor of petroleum engineering; Chao Sun, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering; and Shuangqing Wei, professor of electrical engineering and computer science.

The project is organized around four technical areas covering system architecture, adaptive AI and sensor fusion, resilient communications, and cybersecurity and privacy. Field validation is planned in partnership with industry collaborators including Forte and Tablada, CITGO Petroleum, and Sandia National Laboratories, ensuring that the platform is tested against real infrastructure conditions rather than purely simulated environments.

The initiative is explicitly designed as a seed project targeting future large-scale federal proposals to NSF, the Department of Transportation, and NSF EPSCoR, with the goal of positioning LSU as a regional and national leader in trustworthy digital infrastructure systems.

Big Ideas in Arts & Humanities

LSU Archivist Zach Tompkins (LSU Libraries) will lead the installation of a permanent public exhibition in Hill Memorial Library to be completed at LSU’s 100th anniversary of the flagship campus in 2026. This display will showcase LSU’s key historical moments, achievements, campus culture and influence on the state of Louisiana. Collaborators on the project include Luisa Restrepo Pérez, assistant professor of art/graphic design, Andrew Shurtz, assistant professor of art/graphic design; Courtney Taylor, director of galleries (College of Art & Design); and Gina Costello, associate dean of technology and special collections at LSU Libraries.

Big Ideas for Conferences, Symposia & Seminars

Assistant professor of architecture Fabio Capra-Ribeiro organized a three-day workshop in late January 2026. The event brought together 200 architecture students to work with leading experts in architecture, engineering, coastal sciences, social sciences and the humanities to form coordinated research teams for coastal resilience planning. Collaborators on the project included Traci Birch, associate professor of architecture and managing director of the LSU Coastal Ecosystem Design Studio, and Sergio Padilla, assistant professor of practice of architecture.

Associate professor of art/printmaking Lauren Cardenas and professor of art/printmaking Leslie Koptcho will collaborate with the Mid-America Print Council to organize a three-day interdisciplinary conference on printmaking to be hosted at LSU in October 2026.  The focus of the upcoming conference will involve the role of printmaking in addressing environmental, social and technological issues. The event will be composed of exhibitions, panel discussions and gallery talks from distinguished LSU Printmaking alumni, along with a full-color catalogue showcasing LSU Printmaking and its Hatcher Hall facilities, faculty and graduates.

 

About the PFIR

The LSU Provost’s Fund for Innovation in Research has invested $1.8 million in seed funding for interdisciplinary research and creative works to solve problems and improve lives. The funded projects support the university’s commitment to Scholarship First, drive LSU’s national prominence as a top research university, and increase the competitiveness of LSU scholars in their pursuit of federal and extramural funding.

 

 

Yao Wang Awarded 2026 Lillian Bridwell-Bowles Innovative C-I Teacher Award

Art & Design, Landscape Architecture, Honors & Awards, Faculty, Doctor of Design,

Yao WangYao Wang, assistant professor of landscape architecture, was awarded the Lillian Bridwell-Bowles Innovative C-I Teacher Award. LSU’s Faculty Awards honor faculty who exemplify excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. 

“Yao’s critical work with Louisiana stakeholders demonstrates the positive impact that landscape architecture through university engaged research can have on communities across the state,” said Brent Fortenberry, interim director of the LSU Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture. “Dr. Wang and her students’ efforts model the capacity building potential of universities in the 21st-century.”

Wang is honored to be awarded this recognition, she said. Read more about her work with design students. “I appreciate the support of the College of Art & Design and the Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture,” she said.

Wang holds the Suzanne L. Turner Professorship at LSU Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science with a specialization in Policy, Planning, Communication, and Society from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF). Additionally, she has a master’s degree in urban planning and a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture. Her research encompasses climate resilience (both mitigation and adaptation), environmental planning and policy, community engagement, and sustainability.

Her research interests lie in advancing inclusive engagement strategies within climate change adaptation planning, advocating for power-sharing in the decision-making process to foster equitable procedures and outcomes. Her research background includes notable publications and presentations at both national and international conferences. Before joining LSU, Yao served as an instructor at SUNY-ESF. After obtaining her master’s degree, she gained professional experience as a landscape architect at various international urban planning and landscape design firms. 

Lillian Bridwell-Bowles Innovative C-I Teacher Award honors the late Lillian Bridwell-Bowles, LSU CxC’s founding director.

View the 2026 University Faculty Awards.

Designing Louisiana’s Future: LSU Landscape Architecture Students Tell Community Stories Through Public Spaces

Art & Design, Students, Landscape Architecture, Community Outreach,

LSU students

Across Louisiana, cities are growing faster than they are being planned. New developments rise, traffic increases, and communities struggle to define public spaces that reflect who they are — and whom they want to become. Add in that access to safe, well-designed public spaces is closely tied to health, resilience, and quality of life.  

Students in the Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture are helping design the places where Louisiana lives, works, and gathers — while learning how thoughtful design can strengthen communities, restore ecosystems, and prepare the state for the challenges ahead.

Read more.

Nolonda Jones Publishes “Alternative Reality Creation as Liberatory Ideology” in Upkeep, Repair, and Maintenance in Adaptive Interiors

Research, Publications, Interior Design,

Upkeep Repair Maintenance Adaptive Interiors book coverNolonda Jones, assistant professor of interior design, published her research “Alternative Reality Creation as Liberatory Ideology” in the book Upkeep, Repair, and Maintenance in Adaptive Interiors (Routledge, 2025). 

“This research looks at the influence of the Bantu-Kongo worldview, an ancestral ideology of African Diasporic people, in the lives of enslaved Africans in the southern United States from 1619 to 1864,” she said. 

“Many of the spaces that sustained enslaved communities were temporary, hidden, or undocumented. This research explores how people created meaningful places for gathering, ritual, and community beyond formal structures, broadening how we understand space and placemaking in the built environment,” Jones said.

Through the exploration of five recurring acts of alternative reality creation: Conjuring in Cabins, Hush Harbor Rituals, Borderland Marronage, Hinterland Marronage, and Insurrections, Revolts, and Rebellions of the enslaved, Jones examines the role of memory, identity, and world-building as they relate to the formation of a liberatory ideology of the enslaved. 

“This research analyzes the approaches the enslaved took to maintenance and adaptability of sites that were temporary by design. By showcasing the importance of these hidden spaces in the lives of the enslaved, the research makes the case for studying adaptable interiors beyond the walls of the built structure.” 

The volume explores issues of repair, maintenance, sustenance, and adaptation within the context of interior design and its histories, according to Routledge. 

“The contributions to this volume celebrate critical analysis of past and present work as well as potentials for upkeeping the built environment, sustaining our histories and cultures, and maintaining our shared resources as we face radical shifts in the ways in which we inhabit the various spaces where we work, live, convene, cross, and connect. Chapters recognize the ways in which the interior has defined, reinforced, hidden, and protected servitude and repair. They offer an appreciation of the role of interiors to extend the lives of our architectures and the human interactions they sustain,” said editors Amy Campos, Deborah Schneiderman, Keena Suh, and Karyn Zieve. 

“This will be of great interest to all students and academics of interior design, as well as architecture, architectural conservation, visual culture, history of art, and all those interested in the theory and philosophy of the reuse of interiors.” 

Upkeep, Repair, and Maintenance in Adaptive Interiors first edition was published by Routledge in November 2025. 

Jones, PhD DIP, is an assistant professor in the LSU School of Interior Design. She received a B.S. from Florida A&M University and an MFA in interior architecture from Columbia College Chicago, with a concentration in art-based community development. 

Interested in the intersection between design, social change, and culture her professional life has been an exploration of the ways in which these topics inform one another. In 2016 she moved to Nairobi, Kenya and completed a fellowship in Social Innovation Management at the Amani Institute. While in Kenya, she explored art-based social change and helped create community-led initiatives ranging from cultural preservation in the Maasai Mara, arts education programs, and product development with artisans working in traditional art forms. She continues to find opportunities to bring awareness to the importance of cultural heritage protection. Jones is currently pursuing her PhD in Cultural Anthropology at LSU, with a focus on the ecologies and material culture of underrepresented communities. 

Learn more about the LSU School of Interior Design.