As a professor and researcher, Dr. Guice investigated the behavior of two complex structural systems: (1) reinforced concrete slabs subjected to the effects of blast loads and (2) long-term stability of plastic pipe liner systems. These research projects were funded by federal, state and industry grants and helped to shape the development of analysis and design of these types of systems. Dr. Guice spent several years of his early career working part-time with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station in developing experimental, analytical and computational approaches to the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures subjected to blast loads.
As Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, Dr. Guice initiated the formation of the Civil Engineering Advisory Board and the Civil Engineering Distinguished Alumni recognition program. Both of these efforts significantly enhanced alumni participation in the department and significantly enhanced fund-raising and other support for civil engineering. Dr. Guice led successful ABET accreditation visits for civil engineering and construction engineering technology. He recruited the first two Eminent Scholar Chairs to the program. He encouraged and supported faculty in their efforts to infuse new teaching, learning and assessment methods in their courses. Dr. Guice supported the department’s student organizations that were quite active in regional and national design competitions.
As an administrator, Dr. Guice provided leadership in the restructuring of the College of Engineering and Science in 1994 to foster stronger interdisciplinary research and curricular activities between the engineering and science disciplines. This restructuring effort has played a pivotal role of aligning academic and research programs, optimizing resources across the college, and enabling the faculty and staff to achieve excellence in multiple areas.
As Dean of the College of Engineering and Science (COES), Dr. Guice continued to encourage and support innovations in the curricula. The College’s faculty were successful in securing external funding for the integrated curriculum which resulted in a transformative redesign of curricula throughout the College. With significant National Science Foundation funding, these curricula have continued to evolve since that time and have resulted in major positive impacts on students, the College, and the University.
As Dean, Dr. Guice also re-invigorated the Engineering and Science Foundation to more effectively serve the needs of the College. He initiated a new integrated Strategic Plan, COES 2010, and Capital Campaign, Tech’s BEST, that led advancement of the college and to funding for an Eminent Scholar Chair, 15 Professorships, $500k Scholarship Fund, several new laboratories and facilities. Dr. Guice also led the College through successful ABET and SACS accreditation efforts in all of its programs. He also implemented new Ph.D. and masters programs in engineering and science. Over his tenure as Dean, there was significant growth in both undergraduate and graduate enrollments.
As an administrator, Dr. Guice provided leadership for several major R&D programs that are advancing technological developments in Louisiana and beyond. As head of Civil Engineering at Louisiana Tech, Dr. Guice established the Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) in 1989. The TTC has maintained strong industry and government partnerships that have contributed to the advancement of underground infrastructure systems nationally and internationally. The TTC is now recognized as the premier center in the U.S. for research, education and service in the underground infrastructure field. With industry, alumni and National Science Foundation support, the TTC constructed a National Trenchless Technology Research Facility located on the Louisiana Tech campus. The TTC has also made numerous advancements in technology development in partnership with industry. This has resulted in many industry-supported contracts, patents, licenses and start-up companies. The Director of the TTC was most recently recognized by the Louisiana Technology Council with the 2012 Louisiana Technology Product of the Year award for his innovative “green” geopolymer concrete technology.
As Dean, Dr. Guice led the Institute for Micromanufacturing (IfM) to focus on the emerging field of nanotechnology. With the hiring of key nanotechnology faculty in numerous disciplines, further expansion of research laboratories, establishment of an interdisciplinary engineering PhD program with a nanotechnology track, and initiation of a B.S. in Nanosystems Engineering, the IfM and COES established strong research and education nanotechnology programs that have received national recognition. The University was recognized by Small Times Magazine with a ranking of 3rd nationally for its micro/nanotechnology education program and in the top 10 for its commercialization efforts. IfM Chief Scientist, Dr. Yuri Lvov, was recognized by Small Times Magazine as its Innovator of the Year. IfM faculty have achieved a high level of performance in competitive research grants, patents, and start-up companies. One recent example of a nanotechnology development that has significant financial support and commercial potential is a nano-structured catalyst that is being used in the development of a pilot plant for production of liquid fuels from natural gas, a resource that is in abundant supply in North Louisiana and nationally. If successful, this technology partnership could have significant economic impacts in North Louisiana and beyond.
As Dean of Engineering and Science, Dr. Guice led in the establishment of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology (CEnIT), an interdisciplinary center that focuses the talents and resources of COES and the College of Business in advancing entrepreneurial research, education, and innovation. Dr. Guice and the CEnIT team were awarded two National Science Foundation Partnerships for Innovation grants to establish interdisciplinary courses to study commercialization of new technologies produced by the University. Many technology commercialization studies have been completed involving hundreds of students of diverse nationalities and races from business, engineering and other majors in teams supported by faculty and external mentors. Student teams present recommendations to a Triage Team of recognized venture capital and intellectual property experts. The Triage team recommends actions for the University to consider regarding technology transfer, and provides linkages to potential investors and partners. The program has demonstrated success in contributing to economic development in the I-20 corridor in rural North Louisiana. As a result of these and related activities, Louisiana Tech has become a model for entrepreneurship and innovation programs with economic development impacts. CEnIT frequently hosts other universities, economic development groups, municipalities, and others who are interested in learning how to have similar impacts in their organizations and communities. As further evidence of its success, CEnIT faculty recently received two highly competitive national grants from the U. S. Department of Commerce and other federal agencies for accelerating commercial development of technologies through a Proof-of-Concept Center. In October 2012, the University was invited to attend an event at the White House and Department of Commerce to recognize university-based innovation and entrepreneurship. CEnIT faculty member, Dr. Davy Norris, has been included as a panelist for this event.
As Vice President for Research and Development, Dr. Guice is responsible for the University’s research and technology transfer programs. During his tenure as Vice President, the University has significantly increased patents, licenses/options, start-up companies, SBIR grants with affiliated companies, and has established strong industry partnerships for commercialization of technologies. Dr. Guice led in the establishment of Tech’s first two technology incubators, called the Rawle and Humana Enterprise Centers, which serve as home for several technology companies. By linking students, research faculty, entrepreneurs, commercialization experts, and venture capitalists around new technology opportunities, Dr. Guice has helped to establish a model technology transfer and economic development program. Most recently, he has led in the planning and development of the Louisiana Tech Enterprise Campus, a research park connecting the University and downtown Ruston. The Enterprise Campus’ first building, Tech Pointe, was completed in 2012 and is home for several companies and organizations. Tech Pointe also hosts an Air Force funded Cyberspace Research Laboratory. With the recent completion of the new College of Business Building and renovation of University Hall as a home for interdisciplinary entrepreneurship and innovation activities, the first phase of Enterprise Campus is nearing completion. Additional buildings are currently in the planning phase. It is anticipated that the Enterprise Campus will continue to be a magnet for private sector and government partnerships that enhance research and development, workforce development, and economic development in North Louisiana.
In state-wide leadership activities, Dr. Guice was elected to serve as the founding Chair for the Louisiana Optical Network Initiative (LONI) Management Council. The Council reports to the Board of Regents and includes representatives of all higher education systems as well as representatives from the Division of Administration and Louisiana Economic Development. LONI is a result of a $50 million investment made by the State in 2004 to build a high-speed optical network connecting the state’s major research institutions and medical schools. LONI provides the State of Louisiana with the most powerful, complex and robust computing environment of any region in the U.S. and is serving as a major impetus for advancing technological and scientific research in many areas that should have long-lasting impacts on both education and economic development in the State. This effort has resulted in strong collaborations between faculty members at the major research universities who have already received many significant federal grants. LONI has brought considerable positive national and international recognition to the State of Louisiana.
As Chair of the Louisiana EPSCoR Committee, Dr. Guice has served as a senior advisor on numerous major state-wide science and technology research projects. Dr. Guice recently led the State’s senior research leaders in developing a state-wide science and technology plan, called FIRST Louisiana, that is serving as a framework for research growth and economic development in Louisiana. Dr. Guice also serves as Chair of the Board of Regents Master Plan Research Advisory Council. He also serves as the University of Louisiana System representative on Governor Jindal’s Louisiana Innovation Council. This Council, which includes representation from the legislature, economic development, higher education, business leadership groups, and the private sector, was formed to establish a comprehensive economic strategy and innovation agenda that will grow the state’s economy as well as enhance competitiveness.
Dr. Guice has served as the lead Science and Technology Advisor for the Cyber Innovation Center (CIC) in Bossier City, LA, and has been involved in developing the programs of the CIC since its inception. The CIC was established to support the Air Force’s cyber initiatives and the Eighth Air Force at Barksdale Air Force Base. The CIC plays a role in supporting Air Force, Department of Homeland Security, and other national cyber initiatives by promoting research, educational and technological innovation, and fostering collaborative and strategic alliances between governmental agencies, private industry and academic institutions. Dr. Guice led a team of research faculty from Tech and LSU in establishing a Center of Excellence in Secure Cyberspace.
Throughout his career, Dr. Guice has proven that he understands how to organize and inspire talented teams of people to achieve excellence in significant areas that advance the organization to higher levels. He understands the value in having diverse perspectives as part of the team and how to engage all in contributing to the successful fulfillment of the vision and goals.
