2026 News Feed
The Answer: Best of the Bayou Raises Support for Life-Changing Research at Pennington Biomedical
On Friday, March 27, supporters of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center gathered with a shared purpose: to advance research that is changing lives. The Answer: Best of the Bayou welcomed supporters, partners and friends to L’Auberge Casino and Hotel Event Center for an evening that reflected both the spirit of Louisiana and the power of scientific discovery.
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Dr. Jennifer Rood on Leading Pennington Biomedical Through a Time of Transition
For more than three decades, Dr. Jennifer Rood has been a driving force at Pennington Biomedical, building a career defined by scientific rigor, leadership and impact. Since joining the Center in 1993, she has served in a range of leadership roles, most recently as Associate Executive Director for Cores and Resources, where she oversaw the critical infrastructure supporting the Center’s basic, clinical and population research.
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Chinese Medical Journal: Lifestyle Factors and Cardiometabolic Risk
A review in the Chinese Medical Journal underscores healthy lifestyles as key to mitigating cardiometabolic risk. It emphasizes "Life's Essential 8," linking diet, physical activity, sleep, and other factors to significantly reduced risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Despite proven benefits, widespread adoption faces challenges, necessitating innovative public health strategies and individual commitment. The rising global burden of cardiometabolic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), necessitates a robust approach to prevention and management. This review consolidates extensive research demonstrating that adherence to optimal lifestyle factors is paramount in reducing the risk of these conditions.
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Fifth Annual Senior Black American Health Fair to be Held on April 11 at Pennington Biomedical
LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is gearing up to host the fifth annual Senior Black American Health Fair. Open to all residents in the Greater Baton Rouge region and beyond, the health fair will take place on Saturday, April 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pennington Biomedical Conference Center, located at 6400 Perkins Road in Baton Rouge.
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Pennington Biomedical Hosts Reception Honoring Dr. Steven Heymsfield as LSU Boyd Professor
On March 23, LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center hosted a special reception to honor Dr. Steven Heymsfield following his appointment as an LSU Boyd Professor, the university’s highest and most prestigious academic rank. The event brought together Pennington Biomedical faculty and staff, LSU leaders, donors, fellow Boyd Professors and colleagues to celebrate Dr. Heymsfield’s distinguished career and lasting contributions to the field of obesity research and body composition science.
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Improving Heart Health May Not Be Enough to Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease
In a recent study, researchers found that exercise and aggressive cardiovascular risk reduction successfully improved heart health, but these efforts did not produce measurable cognitive benefits over two years in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
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RURAL Health Study Reveals Key Drivers of Chronic Disease in Assumption Parish
Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center recently published the first set of data from the Risks Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal, or RURAL, Heart and Lung study. The first-of-its-kind study was developed to explore why people who live in rural areas suffer disproportionately from heart and lung diseases, stroke, diabetes and obesity. Led by Dr. Stephanie Broyles, professor and director of the Contextual Risk Factors Laboratory at Pennington Biomedical, the longitudinal study first gathered data in Louisiana’s Assumption Parish and then collected data in Franklin Parish. The data book for Assumption Parish is now available to explore.
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Luck of the Lab: LSU Research Glows Green, Spanning Brain Cells, Crops, Frogs, and Algae
At Pennington Biomedical Research Center, scientists often study the brain by highlighting specific cells so they can be seen more clearly under a microscope. This technique was recently used by Dr. Yanlin He, associate professor and director of the Brain Glycemic and Metabolism Control Laboratory, who is examining Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum. Purkinje neurons are best known for helping control movement and motor learning, but researchers are discovering they may have other important roles in the body as well, such as controlling energy balance and blood sugar. By making these neurons glow green, Dr. He and his team can see their complex branching shapes and how they connect within the cerebellum’s neural network. This technique also allows researchers to perform electrophysiology recordings, which measure the electrical activity of the cells in a laboratory setting. Their work could help scientists better understand how the brain helps regulate metabolism and overall health.
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Pennington Biomedical’s Study of Assumption Parish Shares Initial, Surprising Data
Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are collaborating on a large, first-of-its-kind study to find out why people who live in rural areas suffer disproportionally from heart and lung diseases, stroke, diabetes, and obesity. LSU’s team has been working with two rural Louisiana parishes, Assumption and Franklin, which—despite similar demographics—see radically different health outcomes: some of the best (Assumption) and some of the most challenging (Franklin) among rural communities across the South.
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Pennington Biomedical’s Greaux Healthy Initiative Addresses Childhood Obesity as It Tours Acadiana Region
The Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s Greaux Healthy initiative is set to embark on a significant outreach tour throughout the Acadiana region March 9-13. As childhood obesity rates in Louisiana rank among the highest in the nation, the Greaux Healthy initiative seeks to engage local education, healthcare, business, and government leaders in a collaborative effort to address this pressing health crisis.
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