Senior Vice Chancellor and Executive Director

LSU seeks a scientist of international prominence to serve as its next Senior Vice Chancellor and Executive Director (SVCED) of Pennington Biomedical Research Center. The SVCED of Pennington Biomedical Research Center serves as the campus' chief executive, administrative, and strategic leader for one of the nation’s premier institutions in nutrition, obesity, and metabolic health research. Reporting to LSU Chancellor Jim Dalton and collaborating closely with the Senior Vice Chancellors in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport, the successful candidate will provide overall executive leadership to advance the Center’s scientific mission, strengthen its national and global impact, and support discoveries that improve health across the lifespan.

The SVCED oversees strategic planning, research operations, fiscal stewardship, philanthropy, and external partnerships, while fostering an environment that supports scientific excellence across basic, clinical, and population research programs. The role also champions initiatives that improve the health and well-being of Louisiana’s residents. This position requires a visionary leader with strong administrative experience, a commitment to innovative biomedical research, and the ability to represent LSU and the Center at the state, national, and international levels. This position requires a leader capable of managing a complex portfolio of federal, state, philanthropic, and commercial funding streams while maintaining personal scientific eminence.

The SVCED is the Center's chief administrative and scientific officer. They are responsible for the institution's strategic, financial, and operational functions.

The successful candidate will:

  • Provide strategic leadership to advance the Center’s mission in nutrition, obesity, and metabolic health research.
  • Lead organizational planning, goal setting, and long-term strategic initiatives.
  • Oversee all research operations across basic, clinical, and population science programs.
  • Recruit, mentor, and develop scientific and administrative leaders.
  • Foster new and enhanced graduate education and postdoctoral fellowship opportunities.
  • Build and expand programs supporting clinical trials and high-quality patient care.
  • Ensure strong fiscal management, including budget oversight and resource allocation.
  • Strengthen internal administrative systems to support scientific excellence and operational efficiency.
  • Oversee compliance with regulatory, ethical, and accreditation standards.
  • Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, and diversity across the Center’s workforce.
  • Represent the Center within the LSU System and collaborate closely with university leadership.
  • Cultivate external partnerships with federal agencies, industry, foundations, and community stakeholders.
  • Drive philanthropic strategy and support fundraising efforts to expand research capacity.
  • Advocate for the Center at the state, national, and international levels to enhance visibility and impact.
  • Communicate research achievements to policymakers, donors, media, and the public.
  • Support programs that improve health outcomes for Louisiana residents and advance public health priorities.

POSITION PROFILE

 

 

  • 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

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

A brief update regarding the upcoming Senior Vice Chancellor and Executive Director candidate visits:

Due to a change in candidate travel schedules, the October 2 and October 6 hold dates may be removed from your calendars.

The final candidate presentation and forum will now be held: Friday, October 9 | 2:00–3:00 p.m.

Please continue to hold the previously scheduled dates of August 24, September 1, and September 16 from 2:00–3:00 p.m.

Additional details will be shared prior to each candidate visit.

Thank you for your flexibility and continued participation in the search process.

Eric and Stefan
for the Search Committee

 

Monday, Aug. 10, 2026

Dear Pennington Faculty, Staff, and Postdoctoral Fellows,

After a thorough and comprehensive search, we are pleased to share that we have narrowed the field to four excellent candidates for the position of Senior Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

We are very encouraged by the strength of the candidates and are confident that this process will identify an exceptional leader to guide Pennington Biomedical into its next chapter.

As part of the interview process, each candidate will participate in a presentation and forum. Please hold the following dates and times on your calendars:

  • Monday, August 24 | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, September 1 | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, September 16 | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
  • Friday, October 2 | 2:00–3:00 p.m. OR Tuesday, October 6 | 2:00–3:00 p.m. (tentative; final date to be confirmed)

We strongly encourage Faculty and Postdoc Fellows to attend in person whenever possible. A Microsoft Teams link will also be provided for staff and for faculty who are unable to attend in person, ensuring that our broader Pennington community has an opportunity to hear from each candidate.

Additional information, including candidate details, presentation locations, Teams links, and opportunities to provide feedback, will be shared prior to each visit.

This is an important and exciting time for Pennington Biomedical. We are confident in the caliber of our four finalists and in our ability to identify the right person to lead Pennington forward. Your participation and feedback throughout this final stage of the search will be extremely valuable.

Thank you in advance for making time to participate.

Eric and Stefan for the Search Committee

 

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Dear Pennington Community,

I want to provide a brief update on the search process for our Senior Vice Chancellor and Executive Director.

The Search Committee has made excellent progress and has narrowed the candidate pool to a very strong group of finalists. The search remains on track and is proceeding well.

As a reminder, all aspects of the search process remain confidential. We appreciate your continued discretion and support as the committee moves through the next stages of the process. 

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Eric Ravussin or Dr. Stefan Pasiakos directly.

Thank you,

Dr. Jennifer Rood
Interim Senior Vice Chancellor and Executive Director
Pennington Biomedical Research Center

 

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Dear Faculty,

We had our Search Committee kickoff meeting today with the charge of delivering 3-4 potential candidates to Dr Jim Dalton late summer.

As we move forward in the search for the next Senior Vice Chancellor & Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical Research Center, your insight and recommendations are both valued and essential to identifying strong candidates for this critical leadership role.

I invite you to submit the names of individuals you believe would be outstanding candidates. We are particularly interested in leaders with a demonstrated record of scientific excellence, strategic vision, and the ability to advance our mission in research, clinical impact, and collaboration.

When submitting your recommendations, please include any available contact information (e.g., email address, current institution, position title) and, if you are willing, a brief note on why you believe the individual would be a strong fit for this role.

Please send your recommendations to me directly (with cc to Jacqueline Fox and Stefan) by Friday April 24 at the latest. All suggestions will be handled with appropriate discretion.

Thank you in advance for your engagement in this important process and for your continued commitment to the future of Pennington Biomedical.

Eric and Stefan

 

Tuesday, March 5, 2026

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