LSU HSSR 2021

Empowering High School Researchers: First Place Win in Energy Efficiency Research

In 2021, I had the privilege of mentoring Catherine Shaw, a standout participant in LSU’s High School Student Researchers (HSSR) Program. Together, we embarked on a project titled: "A Data-Driven Approach to Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings"

Catherine’s research tackled an important question in today’s world: How can we leverage data to make buildings more energy-efficient without the high cost and time of traditional audits?

Using data from the 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Catherine analyzed over 4,800 data points and 288 predictors. Her goal was to develop a predictive framework that could recommend energy efficiency improvements for buildings based purely on data—removing the need for expensive on-site evaluations.

Her hard work, curiosity, and commitment paid off—Catherine’s project won First Place in the HSSR research competition!

This achievement is a testament not only to Catherine’s dedication but also to the power of early research opportunities in empowering the next generation of STEM leaders. Guiding her through this project and witnessing her growth remains one of the highlights of my time with the HSSR program.