Samuel B. Cooper III, Ph.D., P.E.

Samuel B. Cooper III

Associate Professor – Research (Gratis)

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Louisiana State University

Director
Louisiana Transportation Research Center
Office: LTRC 102
4101 Gourrier Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Phone: (225) 767-9101
Email: Samuel.Cooper@lsu.edu

 

Educational Background

  • 2015 Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Louisiana State University
  • 2011 M.S. in Civil Engineering, Louisiana State University
  • 2007 B.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Central Florida
  • 2007 B.S. in Environmental Engineering, University of Central Florida

Employment History

Academic Appointments

  • May 2018 - Present: Assistant Professor – Research (Gratis), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University
  • August 2015 - May 2018: Adjunct Instructor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University
  • August 2008 - May 2015: Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University

Professional Experience

  • October 2025 - Present: Director, Louisiana Transportation Research Center
  • October 2015 - September 2025: Materials Research Administrator, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
  • December 2014 - October 2015: Asphalt Research Manager, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
  • January 2014 - December 2014: Asphalt Research Engineer, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
  • January 2012 - January 2014: Asphalt Research Engineering Intern II, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
  • December 2007 - August 2008: Transportation Design Engineer Intern, Dyer, Riddle, Mills and Precourt, Inc.

Research Interests

Pavement design, construction quality, durability, and resilience; implementation of research findings through specifications, technical assistance, and training; asphalt materials characterization and mixture performance; balanced mixture design and performance testing for rutting and cracking.

Curriculum Vitae

Louisiana Transportation Research Center