Faculty/Staff

Mr. William “Bill” Holmes serves as the Director of Analytics and Process Chemistry with the Energy Institute of Louisiana (EIL) and is a key contributor to the Louisiana Energy Extension Service. He holds a BS in Microbiology/Chemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi and brings decades of experience in analytical and reaction chemistry to the center’s work.

For over 40 years, Mr. Holmes has been deeply involved with instrumentation used for analytical chemistry, specializing in the separation and identification of organic chemicals. He is co-inventor on 6 patents, has published over 100 scientific papers, and has given lectures at both national and international conferences. His research has focused on method development for a wide range of fields, including life sciences, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, environmental studies, food science, and fundamental chemical analyses.

At LEES, Mr. Holmes ensures that research, technical assessments, and energy evaluations are conducted with precision and reliability. His expertise is critical for interpreting complex data, optimizing analytical systems, and supporting practical energy solutions for Louisiana communities and industries. Much of the center’s technical work depends on his insight, leadership, and experience.

In addition to his work behind the scenes, Mr. Holmes actively shares LEES’ findings with the broader energy and chemical communities through outreach and presentations at conferences, helping translate complex analytical and energy concepts into actionable insights. His combination of technical mastery, practical problem-solving, and clear communication makes him an indispensable member of both EIL and LEES.

Key Areas of Expertise: Analytical Chemistry; Methods Development; Reaction Chemistry; Identification of Reaction Products; Analytical System Development and Optimization; and Insitu Analysis 

Mrs. Sheila Holmes serves as the Resource and R&D Coordinator for the Energy Institute of Louisiana and all of the affiliated centers, where she plays an essential role in guiding the institute’s operations, research efforts, and collaborative projects. She holds a BS in Industrial Technology and an MS in Systems Technology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, giving her a strong foundation in both technical processes and systems management.

Mrs. Holmes is known for her exceptional professionalism, organizational skill, and unwavering commitment to the institute’s mission. She supports faculty, researchers, industry partners, and students with a level of insight and efficiency that ensures projects progress smoothly from planning through execution. Her ability to manage resources, coordinate research activities, and maintain continuity across initiatives makes her one of the institute’s most trusted and relied-upon leaders.

Mrs. Holmes is truly a driving force behind EIL’s success. Her dedication, experience, and steady leadership elevate every program she supports, and her contributions are fundamental to the institute and extension service's continued excellence.

Key Areas of Expertise: Financial Resource Management; Process Operations; R&D Development; Construction Management; and Student R&D Experiences 

Dr. Prashanth R. Buchireddy serves as the Thermal Conversion R&D Director and the Facility Director of the Cleco Alternative Energy Center at the Energy Institute of Louisiana (EIL). Dr. Buchireddy earned his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Mississippi State University, following a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Bangalore University. His specialized research tracks focus on thermochemical conversion pathways, industrial biomass processing, and the development of catalytic systems for synthesis gas optimization.

Dr. Buchireddy is active in industrial outreach and regional development, providing direct technical guidance and engineering support aimed at establishing full-scale biomass-based industries and supporting new green technology startups within Louisiana.

Dr. Buchireddy has published peer-reviewed papers in high-impact journals, including Fuel Processing Technology, Renewable Energy, and Energies, and holds patent applications for integrated biorefinery operations and sustainable carbon black production methodologies. He manages laboratory operations and has served as a technical proposal reviewer for the U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office.

Key Areas of Expertise: Thermal Conversion; Biomass Gasification; Biomass Torrefaction; Syngas Tar Reforming; Plastic Upcycling; Carbon Black Production 

Dr. Chelsea Zeringue is a Sustainability Engineer with the Energy Institute of Louisiana and the Louisiana Energy Extension Service at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She holds a BS in Chemical Engineering and a PhD in Systems Engineering from UL Lafayette, where her work centered on sustainable processes, system optimization, and technology evaluation.

Dr. Zeringue brings extensive experience in sustainability engineering and the commercialization assessment of emerging alternative energy technologies. She has played a key role in providing industries and state agencies with the data and insights needed to evaluate new energy systems, ensuring that decisions are grounded in sound science, practical feasibility, and long-term environmental and economic benefits.

Her work supports Louisiana in adopting effective and reliable technologies as the energy landscape continues to evolve. With a strong foundation in both engineering and systems analysis, Dr. Zeringue helps guide stakeholders toward solutions that are sustainable, efficient, and well-suited to the needs of the state.

Key Areas of Expertise: Sustainability Engineering; Commercialization Assessment; Critical Data Collation and Dissemination to Agencies Considering Energy Implementation 

Dr. Xiaobo Lei is a Research Engineer with the Energy Institute of Louisiana at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His research focuses on environmental remediation, advanced adsorption materials, PFAS treatment, wastewater treatment technologies, and sustainable environmental systems.

Dr. Lei earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Environmental Engineering from Henan Normal University in 2016. He later completed both his Master of Science in Civil Engineering and Ph.D. in Systems Engineering with a concentration in Civil Engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

His research has contributed to the development of engineered carbon materials, graphene-based adsorbents, and innovative treatment strategies for emerging contaminants in water systems. Dr. Lei has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in journals including Environmental Pollution, Chemosphere, Chemical Engineering Journal, and Journal of Hazardous Materials. He is also co-inventor on patents related to modified graphene oxide and advanced environmental treatment materials.

In addition to his research activities, Dr. Lei serves as a peer reviewer and editor for multiple scientific journals and is an active member of professional organizations including the American Chemical Society, Association of Official Analytical Chemists, and American Water Works Association. His work supports the advancement of sustainable technologies for environmental protection and water quality improvement.

Key Areas of Expertise: Water and Wastewater Treatment; Environmental Remediation; Sustainable Energy and Environmental Systems; Advanced Materials for Environmental Applications; Environmental Engineering Research and Development