University of New Orleans Research Centers

Advanced Materials Research Institute
Director: Dr. Charles J. O'Connor
Assistant Director: Dr. I. R. (Poncho) De Leon
Telephone: (504) 280-6840
Fax- (504) 280-3185
E-Mail: amri@uno.edu

Research Areas: The Advanced Materials Research Institute (AMRI) is a multidisciplinary research institute that provides a unique opportunity to develop novel research ideas that ultimately involve the government, private, and academic sectors in the conception and development of research programs. The interactions with corporate laboratories provide a synergistic pathway that promotes technology transfer and private sector involvement in the operation of AMRI.

Areas of Expertise: The research at AMRI is conducted in groups which specialize in the synthesis, fabrication, testing, characterization, development, and nanotechnology of nanomaterials, nanocomposites, and functional materials for the development of advanced materials for use in industry and defense applications. These groups are: Nanodevices/NIRT Group, Nanosensors Group, Quantum Computing Group, AMRI-Engineering Group, and Outreach Summer Research Programs Group.

Special Research Capabilities: The AMRI research laboratories are located in the Science Building at the University of New Orleans, where 8,000 square feet of ample wet and dry laboratory space and over $4.0 M in specialized scientific research instrumentation is available for our research. The majority of our research is conducted at our AMRI facilities by scientists, post-doctoral researchers, and graduate students who are developing and working on their research programs. Some components of the research are conducted in the laboratories of our research collaborators at other academic institutions and industrial laboratories.

UNO - Northrop Grumman Maritime Center of Excellence
Site Director: Greg Dobson
Telephone: (504) 654-2773
Fax: (504) 654-3880
E-Mail: greg.dobson@gcrmtc.org

Research Areas: Ship Design and Construction, Manufacturing Simulation and Visualization, Structural Engineering, Robotic Welding, Offline Programming

Special Research Capabilities: Developed through a $40 million cooperative endeavor among the State of Louisiana Department of Economic Development, Avondale Industries and the University of New Orleans, the Center is an off-site component of the UNO’s Research and Technology Park, and is situated on 4.5 acres adjacent to Northrop Grumman Ship Systems headquarters on the Westbank. The four-story, 200,000 square foot Center serves as home for 400 of Northrop Grumman’s engineering and design employees, and functions as a research and teaching laboratory for UNO’s prestigious School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. This unique combination of industry and academia is recognized by the shipbuilding industry worldwide. The MTCE is operated by the Gulf Coast Region Maritime Technology Center and Northrop Grumman Ship Systems.

Center for Economic and Real Estate Development
Director: Dr. Ivan J. Miestchovich, Jr.
Assistant to the Director : Thomas G. Suydam
Assistant to the Director: Tracey Gremillion
Telephone: (504) 280-6663
Fax: (504) 280-3952
E-Mail: imiestch@uno.edu, tsuydam@uno.edu, tgremill@uno.edu

Research Areas: Community Economic Development, Strategic Planning, Housing and Commercial Revitalization

Areas of Expertise: Facilitating strategic planning efforts for local communities and economic development organizations; designing and conducting training seminars and workshops focused on strategic planning and on developing local leadership teams; formulating housing development and redevelopment strategies for local communities; formulating commercial revitalization strategies for local communities; preparing market and financial feasibility studies for economic development projects; developing database systems for public finance loan programs.

Special Capabilities and Facilities: Twenty-eight years of applied experience in local economic development; access to network of technical assistance centers engaged in similar activities throughout the United States; and maintains an extensive real estate database covering residential, commercial and industrial properties.

The Center for Economic Development was established in 1978 as a joint effort of the state and federal government to work cooperatively with local agencies and non-profit organizations to create an environment that encourages economic diversification and growth. It is part of a network of over 60 university center programs funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration throughout the United States which help to direct the technical and human resources of institutions of higher education to their surrounding communities. The Center serves the entire state of Louisiana and has been engaged in a wide variety of research, capacity building and technical assistance programs involving resources from within the College of Business Administration as well as other colleges at UNO.

Center for Hazards Assessment Response and Technology (CHART)
Director: Dr. Shirley Laska
Telephone: (504) 280-1254
Fax: (504) 280-6302
E-Mail: chart@uno.edu

Research Areas: The center will implement a program of applied social science research and application for communities that experience severe disasters whether they are of a "natural" or human caused nature. The mission of the Center for Hazard Assessment, Response and Technology is to participate at the cutting edge in this national trend of establishing robust community and regional sustainability so as to minimize the negative effects and maximize the positive effects of a technological or natural hazard events. This mission conforms fully with the new, comprehensive approach which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has taken with its recently launched proactive community disaster response initiative.

Areas of Expertise: Specialties of the involved professors include sociologists, geographers, political scientists, urban studies and planning specialists, those in business and economic disciplines and relevant bio/physical sciences and engineering.

Special Research Capabilities: The University of New Orleans has developed a faculty with the necessary multidisciplinary expertise to participate in such research and application efforts.

Division of Business & Economic Research
Director: Dr. Janet F. Speyrer
Telephone: (504) 280-6981
Fax: (504) 280-6094
E-Mail: jspeyrer@uno.edu

Research Areas: Economic analysis and forecasts, tourism research, workforce analysis and forecasts, demographic analysis and forecasts, industry/market analysis, gambling research and survey design and analysis.

Areas of Expertise: Economic analysis and forecasts, tourism research, workforce analysis and forecasts, demographic analysis and forecasts, industry/market analysis, gambling research and survey design and analysis and socio-economic data repository.

The Division of Business and Economic Research (DBER) provides a wide range of research-related services to businesses, government agencies, media, non-profit organizations, and concerned individuals.
Principally known for its economic analysis and forecasts, the DBER has also conducted research studies on a number of other important issues. Examples of such work include analysis of casino gambling impacts, population and labor force projection, net migration estimation, visitor profiles, and convention bookings tracking. The DBER provides statistical information from local, state, and federal governments and private sector sources. For information not covered within the DBER's vast data collection, a referral service is offered to link data users to the appropriate sources.

Energy Conversion & Conservation Center (ECCC)
Director: Dr. Ting Wang
Telephone: 504-280-7183
Fax: 504-280-5539
E-mail: Twang@uno.edu
Web: http://eccc.uno.edu

Research Areas: The University of New Orleans Energy Conversion & Conservation Center (ECCC) was established in 1999. The mission of ECCC is to promote clean energy research and education, to enhance regional economic growth, and to develop national and international energy programs that are environmentally friendly and sustainable with improved conservation and energy efficiency. The seed funds come from

Areas of Expertise:

• Conduct innovative research and development (R&D) in energy conversion and conservation with special interests in (a) improving energy efficiency of gas turbine systems, internal combustion engines, power plants, industrial plants, and buildings, (b) producing clean energy by employing gasification technology using coal, petroleum coke, and biomass as feedstock, and (c) reducing emissions in prime movers and boilers.
• Promotes interaction between academia, industry, and government to collaborate in energy R&D and education. ECCC is a founding member of the Clean Power and Energy Research Consortium (CPERC) which is a named National Center of Excellence for Clean Energy and Power Research in the U.S. Energy Bill.
• Provides services (workshops, short courses, energy audits, infrared thermography analysis) to advocate clean energy and energy conservation.

Special Capabilities and Facilities: ECCC laboratories consist of three primary groups: Aerothermal Laboratory, Energy Conversion Laboratory, and Energy Conservation Laboratory. ECCC labs are capable of providing measurements and tests in thermal-fluid and power systems including air/steam pressure, flow rates, temperatures, two-phase flow characteristics, flow structures, energy component efficiency, combustion, emissions, HVAC, wind tunnel testing, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), inverse liquid crystal thermography, and infrared thermal imaging. Three wind tunnels are available for aerothermal research for providing a wind speed up to 100 mph. The temperature of one wind tunnel can be cooled to 10 o C (50 o F) and heated up to 60 o C (140 o F). The measurement systems include two 3-D automatic traversing systems, a four-channel hot wire anemometer, a 96-channel thermocouple acquisition system, a 288-channel pressure scanning system, a laser Doppler anemometer (LDA) and a phase Doppler particle analyzer (PDPA).

Gulf Coast Region Maritime Technology Center
Executive Director: Frank Bordelon
Telephone: (504) 654-3871
Fax: (504) 280-3898
E-Mail: frank.bordelon@uno.edu

Research Areas: The GRMTC mission is to help US shipbuilding industry become more competitive and to reduce the Navy's acquisition costs. The center, in cooperation with industry, conducts research in ship design and manufacturing to improve performance, productivity and quality.

Areas of Expertise: The center draws upon permanent staff as well as faculty of the College of Engineering and is widely recognized for it's abilities in the following areas: ship design and performance; ship manufacturing; simulation based design including capacity planning and process visualization; environmental compliance; as well as advanced robotic welding including off-line programming, vision systems and adaptive welding.

Special Capabilities and Facilities: 3-D Immersive Environment, two large robotic welding cells for shipyard applications, extensive robotic planning systems, large towing tank for stability and impact studies

Hospitality Research Center
Directors: John Alan Williams and Janet F. Speyrer
Telephone: (504) 280-7192
Fax: (504) 280-3189
E-Mails: jawill14@uno.edu and jspeyrer@uno.edu

Research Areas: Marketing and economic studies related to the hospitality and tourism industry.

Areas of Expertise: Visitors profiles, special events studies, tourism indicators, advertising effectiveness and salary surveys. Basic and applied research for the human resource, marketing, finance, food & beverage, and customer service areas of hotels, restaurant, and managed services.

Special Research Capabilities: "Convention Bookings Model" - ongoing tracking to alert and focus sales staff efforts of convention and visitor bureaus.

The Louisiana International Trade Center-Small Business Development Center
Director: Dr. Ruperto Chavarri
Telephone: (504) 568-8222
Fax: (504) 599-1152
E-Mail: rchavarr@uno.edu

Areas of Expertise: Export and Import

The Louisiana International Trade Center (LITC) at UNO was established in September of 1984 with funding provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Louisiana Department of Commerce. The LITC is a statewide program which operates through the network of university-based Small Business Development Centers to identify and promote small business export/import opportunities. The LITC provides business counseling and management assistance to existing and new small businesses that want to engage in international export/import trade activities. The LITC also coordinates and conducts export trade seminars and workshops throughout the state and serves as an information resource center. The counseling and management assistance services are provided at no charge. A nominal fee is charged for seminars and workshops. The LITC is located in the World Trade Center in downtown New Orleans.

Center for Urban and Public Affairs
Director: Willard Fields
Telephone: (504) 280-6519
Fax: (504) 280-6272
E-Mail: cupa@uno.edu

Research Areas: Planning & Public Administration.

Areas of Expertise: Since its creation in 1981, CUPA has completed numerous projects.While responding to the diverse needs of various clients, CUPA has developed a number of areas of expertise: community revitalization, park design, planning/zonning studies, recreational planning, local funding assistance, environmental planning, downtown revitalization, and municipal management, comprehensive & land use planning, community planning, urban archeology, historic preservation, environmental planning & policy, Medicaid eligibility training, transportation planning.

Special Capabilities and Facilities: Geographic information systems, urban design

Maritime Environmental Resources and Information Center (MERIC)

Director: Bhaskar Kura, Ph.D., P.E.
Telephone:(504) 280-6572
Fax: (504) 280-5586
E-Mail: bkura@uno.edu

Research Areas: The focus of MERIC is to research and develop “clean technologies” applicable for the shipbuilding, ship repair, ship operations, and ship dismantling /recycling processes. The broad mission of the Center is to achieve “sustainability,” by promoting (1) environmental stewardship, (2) reduced costs, and (3) social responsibility through the application of science and engineering solutions to the maritime activities. MERIC is a sub-center of the Gulf Coast Region Maritime Technology Center (GCRMTC).

Areas of Expertise: Evaluation of environmental and health effects of manufacturing processes such as blasting, welding, and painting and development of mitigation plans to minimize impacts on public/worker health and the environment. Information systems for management of plant wide air, liquid and solid releases. Testing to identify process and material alternatives, as well as to rank them based on their “environmental-friendliness.” Other areas of expertise include, (1) atmospheric dispersion modeling, (2) health risk assessment from inhalation-induced risks, (3) life cycle assessment, (4) life cycle costing, (5) industrial environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) management/compliance systems, and (6) sustainability.

Special Capabilities and Facilities: Emissions Test Facility (ETF) available can be used to simulate manufacturing processes to measure and model emission potential of various processes and materials. A variety of environmental (air, water, and soil) sampling and analytical instruments are available for research and investigations. Students (undergraduate and graduate) and research scholars are available to take part in the Center projects. The Center personnel collaborate with the U.S. and international shipbuilders, professional societies and research entities.

Transportation Center
Director: Willard Fields
Telephone: (504) 280-6315
Fax: (504) 280-6272
E-Mail: wmfields@uno.edu

Research Areas: UNOTC addresses the intermodal transportation research and training needs of the industry. Metropolitan New Orleans is one of the major intermodal transportation hubs in North America. Six trunk line railroads, the nation's largest agglomeration of port infrastructure, and the mighty Mississippi River, gateway to the nation's heartland, bespeak Louisiana's critical role in the nation's transportation driven economy. Louisiana's transportation industry generates thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic benefits to our state.

Areas of Expertise: CUPA is home to one of the world's leading maritime executive training programs, the International Program for Port Planning and Management (IPPPM), now in its 17th year. IPPPM is cosponsored by the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans and the World Trade Center (WTC) of New Orleans. UNO is a nationally recognized leader in the maritime transportation field, with the nation's largest School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, the multi-million dollar federally funded Gulf Coast Region Maritime Technology Center (GCRMTC), and groundbreaking public/private partnerships with major private maritime interests, such as Avondale and McDermott.

Special Research Capabilities: The University of New Orleans Transportation Center (UNOTC), housed in UNO's College of Urban and Public Affairs (CUPA) is supported by a planned gift of $1.3M by Mr. Merritt Becker of New Orleans. Its creation stems directly from CUPA's eight year history of participation in the development and implementation of Louisiana's Statewide Intermodal Transportation Plan (SITP) and CUPA's continuing role in the update of that plan as a major subcontractor to Wilbur Smith and Associates, Inc., LADOTD's principal SITP update consultant.

National Biodynamics Laboratory
Founded: Established by the U.S. Navy in 1971; Transferred to UNO in 1996
Director: Dr. Thomas G. Dobie
Telephone: (504) 257-3918
Fax: (504) 257-5456
E-Mail: nbdl@uno.edu

Research Areas: The laboratory conducts biodynamics and human factors research to enhance performance and prevent injury to human beings when they are exposed to external forces, motions, and accelerations such as those encountered in aircraft, ships, automobiles and other moving environments.

Areas of Expertise: Human factors investigations of optimal operator/equipment or operator/environment interaction, head and neck acceleration of the human body, data processing for the National Crash Survival Data Bank, cognitive-Behavioral anti-motion sickness training program, machining of test fixtures for high-g testing applications, operation and configuration of CVC HYGE (TM) 12" horizontal accelerator and CVC HYGE (TM) 6" vertical accelerator, recording of shipboard motion data, configuration of data acquisition systems to measure ship shock, vibration, or acceleration data.

Special Capabilities and Facilities: The National Biodynamics Laboratory's (NBDL) Accelerator Test Facilities are based on the Bendix (CVC) Hyge (TM) Shock Testing Systems. The Horizontal Accelerator uses a 12-inch Hyge system and the Vertical Accelerator uses a 6 inch Hyge system. Over 6000 test runs have been successfully completed on the accelerators over the last 20 years. The facilities share a common system for data acquisition. This consists of a 28-channel inertial and a 31 channel physiological data acquisition system. An optical data acquisition system for gathering displacement test data complements these two systems. Three different sleds are available for use as test platforms on the Horizontal Accelerator. The 700-foot horizontal test track is unique to the NBDL Facility. These systems are true accelerators: the payload is accelerated to the programmed g-level upon triggering. By setting certain system parameters, the acceleration pulse can be accurately controlled. For most test conditions, the use of brakes is optional. The Vertical Accelerator travels along a 36-foot tower. In addition, a well equipped machine shop, woodworking and fiberglass shop is located in-house to fabricate and modify test fixtures used on the accelerators.

NBDL houses a unique ship motion simulator (SMS) capable of simulating ship motion in conditions up to sea state five with three degrees of freedom: heave, pitch, and roll. The system can accept inputs from manual controls, sinusoidal or arbitrary waveform function generators, or a PC-based system that plays back a digital motion profile of an actual ship operating in a particular sea state. The moving cab is an 8-foot (2.5-meter) cube with the forward top edge truncated to accommodate forward pitch motion adjacent to the tower. In its standard configuration the air-conditioned cab is windowless, although outside view ports can be installed as required. Continuous observation of subject(s) from the control room is possible by means of closed circuit video cameras. A two-way audio communication system is used to maintain contact with the subject(s). The cab can be reconfigured (within payload restrictions) to accommodate virtually any set-up that will fit inside an eight foot cube. Two data acquisition systems are available: one is used to record a subject's physiological response to motion and the second records the motion inputs and the response of the simulator. NBDL also has a static cab that can be configured with features identical to the moving cab Testing conducted in this cab yields a performance level unaffected by motion. These results can then be compared to test scores obtained in the moving cab to isolate the effect of motion on a subject's performance.

National Crash Survival Data Bank (NCSDB): The National Biodynamics Laboratory is preserving and archiving recoverable impact and physiological data collected by the former Naval Biodynamics Laboratory. These data were acquired using human volunteer subjects and anthropomorphic manikins during some 5,000 linear (horizontal and vertical) impact tests over a period of 22 years from 1974 to 1996.

National Center for Advanced Manufacturing (NCAM)
Executive Director: Bruce Brailsford
Telephone: (504) 257-0969
Fax: (504) 257-5456
E-Mail: BBrailsford@ncamlp.org

Research Areas: NCAM is a partnership of the University of New Orleans (UNO), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the State of Louisiana . The center provides research and advanced manufacturing technology for use in aerospace and commercial markets.

The center includes a consortium of seven universities (UNO, Louisiana State, Mississippi State, Tennessee Tech, Texas A&M, U.S. Naval Academy and Virginia Tech) led by UNO in advanced manufacturing research with the focus on the applicability of composite and metallic materials to advanced manufacturing processes. The technical areas involved include: nondestructive testing, bond quality, large structures evaluation, joints and bonding, imbedded sensors, damage tolerance and repair of advanced materials.

Areas of Expertise: NCAM focuses on education and training of the regional aerospace workforce as well as research and development in advanced manufacturing technologies. Through on-site classrooms and videoconferencing, NCAM offers advanced educational courses and distance learning to senior and graduate level students and members of the aerospace industry.

Special Research Capabilities: The National Center for Advanced Manufacturing features and has demonstrated several areas of advanced manufacturing technology for use in aerospace structures.

Friction stir welding, first used on the Shuttle External Tank in 2005, is a solid-state, metal-joining process producing high-strength, defect-free joints in metallic materials. The process employs a pin tool with a low rotational speed and applied pressure that "mechanically stirs" two materials together to produce a uniform weld – a vital requirement of next-generation launch vehicles and hardware that must endure long-term space travel.

The center's two Advanced Fiber Placement machines are used to manufacture large-scale, complex-shaped structures composed of composite materials. These materials, which offer lighter weight with equivalent-or-greater strength than metals, are increasingly used in airframes and other industrial products. The innovative technology of composite fabrication is expected to play a crucial role in the development of the aeroshell, a protective shell encasing spacecraft the provides an aerodynamic surface and protection from intense temperatures during atmospheric travel.

NCAM's NDE system applies ultrasonic Non-Destructive Evaluation techniques in the testing of both composite and metallic materials by employing a twin 5-axis traveling column configuration and multiple inspection system capability. The system tests the strength, structural integrity and reliability of a component or material for use in the space environment.

NCAM's Gantry 5-Axis Machining Center is a high-speed system that can machine complex components using multi-axis capability. This technology is capable of machining both composite and metal materials using a 24,000-revolutions-per-minute, 60-horsepower cutting spindle.

The autoclave located at NCAM is capable of withstanding high temperatures and pressures. It applies heat and pressure in a controlled environment, providing the conditions needed to manufacture many of today's space-age composite materials. The 10-by-20-foot autoclave cures parts made from the fiber placement machine and other composite manufacturing processes.

National Ports and Waterways Institute
Associate Director: Dr. Jay Jayawardana

Research Areas: The NPWI serves as a center for applied research, technical assistance, and training for the benefit of the national and international maritime communities. Research areas focus on the provision of economic and technical evaluations for strategic planning of maritime ports, inland waterways, intermodal connectors, international shipping and off shore activities.

Research Expertise: Specific areas of expertise encompass diverse maritime and transportation disciplines including market forecasts, conceptual planning of facilities, application of innovative cargo handling and shipping technologies/operational methods, safety and security, productivity and performance indicators, institutional reform and privatization, pricing and financial analyses.

Special Capabilities and Facilities: The Institute has a staff of highly trained, full time researchers with extensive experience in the U.S. and international maritime industry. With offices in New Orleans/Baton Rouge, Louisiana and the Washington, D.C. area, the Institute combines its presence on the Mississippi River at the interface of inland and ocean waterways with direct access to federal and international organizations. The Institute has direct linkages to other related resources of the University, including the
Merritt C. Becker, Jr. Intermodal Transportation Policy and Implementation Center.

The Institute has forged closed relationships with ports and shipping organizations worldwide. Interactions with industry enable the Institute to combine analytical and practical experience. Recognizing its unique role in maritime research, the Institute was designated by the United States Maritime Administration as a National Maritime Enhancement Institute. Since its establishment in 1982, the Institute has successfully addressed a variety of critically important maritime and intermodal issues at the state,
national and international levels.

Ponchartrain Institute for Environmental Science
Director: Dr. Shea Penland
Telephone: (504) 280-3119
Fax: (504) 280-7396
E-Mail: spenland@uno.edu

Research Areas: The Institute provides data important to the management, preservation and remediation of a natural resource of vital economic, social, aesthetic and cultural importance to the New Orleans metropolitan area and the State.

Areas of Expertise: The Institute is designed to foster interactions between professionals with expertise in basic and applied environmental research with those skilled in environmental management, social sciences and policy. The Institute will work in partnership with both academic and non-academic institutions to provide information critical for the development of effective strategies to preserve the natural resources and biological diversity within the Ponchartrain Basin.

Special Capabilities and Facilities: Faculty have developed the first long-term database on the natural resources, water quality, biota and environmental challenges in the Ponchartrain Basin. Faculty are evaluating approaches for restoration of critical habitats within the Basin as well as developing new techniques for the remediation of sewage contamination. Additionally, the Institute can draw on expertise in our College of Urban and Public Affairs, Environmental Social Science Research Institute, the Keck Computer Visualization Laboratory, Coastal Research Laboratory and the Geographic Information System Laboratory at UNO.

Robert E. Nims Center for Entertainment Arts, Amusements & Multimedia Industries
Director: Dr. Roger Benischek

Research Areas: The formation of the Center will enhance the full potential of the Department's film and video program and UNO's Studio Center through professional and economic partnerships with national and international producers of film, video and multimedia.

Special Capabilities and Facilities: Studio Center, acquired in 1998 by UNO, is a 70,000 square foot production facility with three sound stages, a scenic shop, production offices and learning labs. The Center offers the same cutting-edge production as used by such media innovators as DreamWorks, Warner Brothers, Imagica and Sony Pictures
The Nims Center for Entertainment Arts, Amusements and Multi-media Industries enhances the full potential of the Department's film and video program and UNO's Studio Center through professional and economic partnerships with national and international producers of film, video, and multimedia. Teaching these advanced technologies to UNO students heightens the reputation of the Department's film, media and multi-media production curriculum while expanding Studio Center's academic and production opportunities.

This Center is supported by state-of-the-arts production equipment, national and international awards, industry resources, professional graduate programs, highly motivated students, successful alumni, and a record of public service to the University and the State of Louisiana. The Center supports the department's ability to attract top regional and national students, and enhance faculty teaching practices for film and video production.

The expansion of the UNO Studio Center curriculum initiatives for undergraduates and graduates students in advanced technologies of 3D animation, special effects, digital film and motion capture.

The creation of a professional guest-director-in-residence program targeting the country's top multi-media producers, filmmakers and special effects artists. Guest directors would teach specialized courses in a wide range of formats.

The UNO-based operation parcipates in collaborative activities with the region's television stations, video producers, post-production houses, independent production companies and advertising agencies.

Small Business Development Center at UNO
Telephone: (504) 568-8222
Fax: (504) 599-1152
E-Mail: lsbdc,gnor@lsbdc.org

Research Areas: Entrepreneurship, small business, small business training, small business counseling, family business, small business financing, cash flow management, marketing, small business systems, home businesses, franchising and international trade.

Areas of Expertise: Small business training, counseling, family business, small business financing, cash flow management, marketing, small business systems, home businesses.

The Small Business Development Center and the Louisiana International Trade Center provide business assistance through small business workshops and seminars and through one-to-one business counseling for start-up and existing business owners. Business consultation is available at no charge. The educational workshops and seminars are designed to sharpen the managerial skills of small business owners and to provide updated information that will assist in business decision-making.

The major emphasis of the UNO SBDC/ITC is that of a partnership for growth in which it partners with local economic development resource entities to leverage extended services to the small business community. The SBDC/ITC is funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana Economic Development and the University of New Orleans. The small business development center network is managed through the Louisiana Small Business Development Center located in Monroe, Louisiana.

The Center is located at the World Trade Center, #2 Canal Street, Suite 2926, New Orleans, LA 70130.

Survey Research Center
Director: Dr. Robert T. Sims
Telephone: (504) 280-6047
E-Mail: rsims@uno.edu

Research Areas: The Survey Research Center (SRC) exists to serve the research, teaching and service needs of the University and of the larger community. The SRC promotes socially significant research with public policy implications as well as research of theoretical or academic interest. Since 1985, the Center has collected information about public opinions, beliefs and values on a wide range of social, economic and political issues. In that time it has gained a reputation for accuracy and integrity in public opinion research.

Recent surveys include Public Opinion on the Third Term City Charter Amendment (October 2001), The 2000 Presidential Election in Louisiana (October, 2001), Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation Environmental Survey, prepared for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (June 2001) and Evaluating the Judges in Baton Rouge prepared for the Baton Rouge Bar Association (October 2001). Also, in collaboration with Southern University in Baton Rouge, the SRC has recently completed a study of mayoral approval in four cities including New Orleans, Detroit, Chicago and Charlotte, NC funded by a $205,000 grant awarded by the National Science Foundation.

Special Capabilities and Facilities: The SRC offers data collection and analytic capabilities in various research areas. Specifically, its survey resources include questionnaire design and survey methodology, elite interviewing, personal interviewing, telephone data collection utilizing a 20 station Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) system, and advanced data preparation. The SRC is also recognized for its in-depth analysis of survey data. In addition, written final reports explaining survey methods, results and important policy implications are provided.