Romain Lavaud

Romain Lavaud is an Assistant Professor of Research at the Louisiana State University's College of Agriculture, affiliated with the Department of Renewable Natural Resources. His research focuses on aquatic species physiology, bioenergetic modeling, and the impacts of environmental changes on organisms and ecosystems. He holds a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the University of Brest and the Free University of Amsterdam, and has extensive experience in applying Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory to study marine organisms under varying environmental conditions.

Education:

• Ph.D. Marine Biology, University of Brest & Free University of Amsterdam (2014)
• M.S. Marine Biology, University of Brest (2010)
• B.S. Biology of Organisms and Populations, University of Brest (2008)

Research Interests: Lavaud's work bridges fundamental and applied physiology, with an emphasis on bioenergetic strategies in aquatic species. He develops and applies DEB models to predict organism responses to environmental stressors such as temperature, salinity, hypoxia, and ocean acidification. His studies also explore aquaculture optimization, ecosystem restoration, and the impacts of climate change on marine populations.

Grants: He has secured significant funding, including a $2.16M grant from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LA-TIG, 2022-present) and a $75K grant (OSP-7, 2024-present). These projects focus on oyster restoration, aquaculture site selection, and environmental adaptation strategies.

Labs/Teams: His research integrates proteomics, transcriptomics, and ecological modeling to address complex questions in conservation physiology and aquaculture sustainability. Collaborations span institutions in the U.S., France, and the Netherlands.