Center for Secure Cyberspace - Louisiana Tech University

Student SpotlightFrancesca Love is a seniorcivil engineering major fromBivins, Texas. Fran is not onlya solid student, but also veryactive in campus life. Shecurrently serves as the vicepresident of the student chapterof the National Societyof Black Engineers (NSBE)as well as the regional secretaryof NSBE. Fran is alsosigns coordinator for the student chapter of the Societyof Women Engineers (SWE), a member of the studentchapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers(ASCE), and was recently nominated to Louisiana Tech’shomecoming court. When not actively engaged in oneof these organizations or her studies, she can be foundcheering on the Bulldogs as a member of the Tech SmallCo-Ed Cheerleader Team.From the first time she stepped on campus, Fran saysLouisiana Tech felt like home. She attributes much ofher early success as a student to the support she receivedfrom the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). SWEprovided the study groups and encouragement necessaryto get her over some of the early obstacles she facedas a young engineering student. Ms. Alicia Boudreaux,Dr. Mark Barker and Dr. Tom Straughan have beeninstrumental to Fran’s academic success as well, servingas both mentors and role models who have inspired andchallenged her.Fran aspires to design bridges and roads, and theCollege of Engineering and Science is very fortunate tohave had a role in helping her to achieve her dream.Faculty SpotlightDr. Despina Davis was bornin March 1978 in Ploiesti,Romania and came to theUnited States to attend TexasTech University, graduatingin 2002 with dual degrees inChemical Engineering andChemistry. In the fall of2002, she attended LouisianaState University to pursuegraduate work in chemicalengineering. She received her Master’s degree in ChemicalEngineering in May 2005 and her Ph.D. in Engineeringin May 2007. As a graduate student, Despina wasgiven the distinguished honor of being awarded a fellowshipwith the Integrative Graduate Education Researchand Training Program (IGERT), an interdisciplinaryprogram sponsored by the National Science Foundation.Less than one percent of engineering and science studentswho apply are accepted into the program. As a fellowin the IGERT program, she successfully participatedin many community service activities, presented researchat numerous conferences, and authored or co-authoredseveral publications.Her main area of interest and expertise lies in thedevelopment of nanowires, the eventual application ofwhich is the creation of more sensitive sensors that canread data stored in very compact hard drives. In 2004,Despina submitted a report of invention along withElizabeth J. Podlaha for “Electrodeposited MultilayeredNanotubes for Magnetic Sensing”. Here at Tech,Despina continues her research. She also works withTech’s Office of Intellectual Property and Commercializationon additional patent opportunities.Louisiana Tech University | College of Engineering and ScienceOffice of Communications600 West Arizona StreetRuston, Louisiana 71272www.coes.latech.eduPRSRT STDNON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGEPAIDRUSTON, LAPERMIT NO. 104Director of CommunicationsDr. Bruce Willson Jr.willson@latech.eduBuilding Engineers and Scientists for TomorrowPassion to be the Best