2025 News Feed
Pennington Biomedical Sets the Standard in Nutrition Research
When "Doc" Pennington pledged $125 million to establish the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, his ambitious vision was unequivocal: “This should be the biggest and best nutrition research center in the country.” Four decades later, that bold aspiration has not only been realized – it has been surpassed on a global scale. Pennington Biomedical now stands as one of the world's most influential and scientifically productive nutrition research institutions. As the nation observes National Food is Medicine Day on September 14, the pioneering work of Pennington Biomedical researchers takes on heightened significance. Their investigations into the critical role of nutrition in preventing and managing chronic diseases, while promoting optimal health across populations, have fundamentally advanced our understanding of food as therapeutic intervention.
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Dr. Steven Heymsfield Named LSU Boyd Professor – LSU’s Highest Faculty Honor
Pennington Biomedical Research Center is proud to announce that Dr. Steven B. Heymsfield, Professor of Metabolism and Body Composition, has been named a Boyd Professor of Louisiana State University – the highest faculty rank and honor awarded within the LSU System. The Boyd Professorship is reserved for faculty whose outstanding achievements and international reputations bring significant prestige to LSU. Dr. Heymsfield joins an elite group of scholars recognized for advancing knowledge and transforming their fields.
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Study Points Out that a Synthetic Molecule Helps Reduce Visceral Fat and Improve Sleep
A study conducted by researchers from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Proteimax Biotechnology (Israel), and the University of São Paulo’s Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICB-USP, Brazil) showed that ingesting Pep19 helps reduce visceral fat and improve sleep in obese adults. The molecule is a synthetic version of a peptide (a very small piece of protein) naturally found in human cells. Previous studies involving animal models have shown that Pep19 has anti-obesity effects and improves indicators such as blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
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Pennington Biomedical Q&A: Dr. Timothy Gilbert
Lake Charles-native Dr. Timothy Gilbert recently relocated to Baton Rouge for an important mission. Identifying the growing need in the community, the Pennington Biomedical Research Center launched the Advanced Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, and Dr. Gilbert, an endocrinologist with more than 20 years of experience, was tapped to serve as its leader.
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Pennington Biomedical Researchers Available to Share Insights and Perspectives During National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September is designated as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in the United States. At Pennington Biomedical Research Center, researchers explore a wide array of scientifically proven causes, treatments, and prevention programs to understand and address childhood obesity, including healthy food choices, environmental factors, and accessibility of parks and playgrounds.
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Pennington Biomedical Reflects on 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
As Louisiana reflects on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Pennington Biomedical Research Center is remembering the extraordinary efforts of its faculty, staff, and volunteers who mobilized in 2005 to support evacuees, provide lifesaving diabetes care, and ensure continuity for LSU Health Sciences Center students displaced by the storm.
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Pennington Biomedical Researchers Find Metabolic Health of Pregnant Women May Matter More than Weight Gain
Metabolic health before and during pregnancy may have a bigger influence on risks for mother and baby than simply controlling weight gain. Data from a recent paper by Pennington Biomedical researchers indicates that pregnant women with metabolically unhealthy obesity were more likely to develop gestational diabetes than those who were metabolically healthy. The paper, “Metabolic Health and Heterogenous Outcomes of Prenatal Interventions: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial,” was published in the Journal of American Medical Association.
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Pennington Biomedical Opens Advanced Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic
LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center has opened a new Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic in Baton Rouge. The clinic provides specialized care for patients managing diabetes and endocrine disorders, bringing world-class expertise to the region.
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Pennington Biomedical’s Dr. Leanne Redman Named LPFA Endowed Chair
Pennington Biomedical Research Center's Leanne Redman, PhD, has been named as the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (LPFA) Endowed Chair in Nutrition, a chair established through private donations matched by the Board of Regents Support Fund. Dr. Redman was appointed by Pennington Biomedical leadership, with the appointment approved by the Louisiana Board of Regents in April 2025. Her appointment to this esteemed honor follows the reversion of the award from an Endowed Postdoctoral Fellowship back to an Endowed Chair.
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Pennington Biomedical’s Annual Men’s Health Summit Scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 23
Registration is now open for the 2025 Pennington Biomedical Men’s Health Summit, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 23. Presented by Our Lady of the Lake Health and hosted by Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation, the free summit is available to all men over the age of 18. The summit welcomes men from across the Capital Region to learn more about their health, and it will featuring a wide variety of complimentary health screenings and informational sessions. Additionally, the CORE UFC Gym will host a UFC and self-defense demonstration, and the Baton Rouge Corvette Club will be on-site for a showcase of classic sports cars.
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