Dear Pennington Biomedical Faculty and Staff,

Pennington Biomedical Research Center is one of LSU’s greatest research assets and one of the nation’s leading centers for discovery in nutrition, metabolism, and chronic disease. The work happening at Pennington shapes our understanding of health and improves lives in Louisiana and around the world.

I am pleased to announce the formation of the search committee that will help identify LSU’s next Senior Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

This is an exciting moment for Pennington. The Center’s scientific strength, combined with LSU’s renewed focus on building a more connected and nationally competitive research enterprise, creates tremendous opportunity for the years ahead.

To support this important effort, LSU has engaged Spencer Stuart, an internationally recognized executive search firm with deep experience recruiting leaders for major biomedical research institutions. Their expertise will help ensure we reach an exceptional pool of candidates from across the country and around the world.

The search committee will be chaired by Dr. Eric Ravussin, Douglas L. Gordon Chair in Diabetes and Metabolism and Boyd Professor. I am grateful to Dr. Ravussin and the committee members for their willingness to guide this important process.

Committee Members

• Eric Ravussin, Douglas L. Gordon Chair in Diabetes and Metabolism and Boyd Professor, Pennington Biomedical Research Center — Committee Chair
• Stefan Pasiakos, Professor and Director, Center for Human Performance Optimization, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
• Ursula White, Associate Professor and Director, Adiposity, Lifestyle, and Metabolic Health Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
• Gus Kousoulas, Hannelore and Johannes Storz Professor in Pathobiological Sciences, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine
• Cody Van Meter, Director, Clinical Trials Unit, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
• Lucio Miele, Cancer Crusaders Professor of Genetics and Director, LSU–LCMC Health Cancer Center, LSU Health New Orleans
• Oren Rom, Senior Associate Dean for Basic and Translational Research, LSU Health Shreveport
• Paula de la Bretonne, President, Pennington Family Foundation
• Charlie Lamar, Chair, Woodlawn Investments, Inc.; Chair, Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation
• Katie O’Neal, Chief Academic Officer, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System

Over the coming months, the committee and Spencer Stuart will work closely with LSU leadership to identify a leader who can build on Pennington Biomedical’s remarkable legacy and help shape its next era of discovery and impact.

More information about the search can be found at www.pbrc.edu/svced.

Thank you for the work you do every day to make Pennington Biomedical one of the nation’s leading research centers.

Sincerely,

Jim Dalton
LSU Chancellor