Media Center (Blog)

Zachary Burchfield’s return to Baton Rouge began with homesickness. Eight years ago, the LSU electrical engineering graduate left for a job at Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Lab. Baltimore had been good to Zachary and his wife, Jean. His work on Navy radar, air, and missile defense systems took him to Southern California and Hawaii, and three times to the Arctic. Along the way, he earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering. “We had a lot of great experiences. We made a few friends. Jean and I had two kids,” Burchfield said. “But it was just us up there, and we really missed our family back home.”

From early DNA fragment analysis to today’s rapid whole-genome sequencing, LSU researchers have advanced genetic science—turning decades-old samples into insights into evolution, biodiversity, and personalized approaches to cancer research and treatment.

As Artificial Intelligence continues to advance, cyberattacks are rising right along with it, and vigilance is more important than ever. The good news is that protecting yourself is not complicated or expensive. With just a few steps, you can help strengthen the security of your personal information.