Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Our basic researchers are explorers in search of discovery, dedicated to uncovering the fundamental mechanisms that influence human health. Whether the focus is genetic, molecular, cellular, endocrine, physiological, or neurological, the Basic Scientists at Pennington Biomedical seek to understand how the body works, as well as what we can do to reverse or cure the diseases that burden humanity.

Our clinical faculty and researchers are dedicated to improving the health of patients of all ages affected by chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and some cancers leading to better physical and cognitive functionality from pediatrics to older age. In collaboration with basic scientists, our clinical scientists design and implement novel studies that yield advances on the mechanisms, prevention, and diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Our Population and Public Health Sciences faculty are invested in translational and community-based research aimed at reducing health disparities and improving the overall health of the population. Our scientists are working beyond the walls of Pennington Biomedical to take our research out of the laboratory and into a variety of settings, including communities, schools, medical clinics and the military.

The overarching objective of the LA CaTS Center is to transform the clinical and translational research efforts of our region away from the status quo, where institutions operate in isolation to pursue their institutional missions, and toward a cohesive, mutually supportive enterprise for clinical and translational research. The LA CaTS Center has grown into a single clinical translational science program for Louisiana based on the development of synergistic programs and unparalleled collaboration from all the major academic and biomedical research institutions in the state.

The NORC supports clinical investigation addressing the etiology of nutritionally induced chronic diseases across the entire age span, from gestational and perinatal development through childhood and adolescence, to young and middle-aged adults up to elderly individuals. The NORC brings to the established research base at Pennington and across Louisiana a structured system to provide core services to promote the investigations around our chosen theme of nutrition and metabolic health through the lifespan. The NORC is a mechanism to support the ability of Pennington Biomedical, affiliated universities, and NORC Members to develop cutting edge research focused on the mission of NIDDK.

Readiness, performance, and resilience are top priorities for our nation's military. These issues impact new recruits, Soldiers, and extend to the veteran population. Soldiers frequently engage in operations during which they are subjected to multiple stressors, including energy deficit, high physical activity levels, sleep deprivation, and demanding cognitive tasks. Collectively, these stressors degrade physical strength, power, and endurance; immune function; cognition; and psychological state, leading to injury and attrition. Soldiers are also required to withstand, recover, and advance in the face of these stressors and changing demands. Strategies to provide cost-effective solutions for improving readiness and mitigating performance decrements are needed. Further, strategies to improve resilience are also required so that Soldiers can adapt more rapidly and readily in the face of adversity and recover from operational stress. Since 1989, Pennington Biomedical and the U.S. Department of Defense have operated in a unique relationship that has resulted in support of over 150 projects and more than 130 jointly authored scientific publications. These projects have resulted in: 1. Better understanding of Soldiers' energy and nutrition requirements 2. Improvements in operational ration nutrition standards 3. Modification of garrison feeding to improve health during basic training 4. Development and dissemination of unique technology to improve the health of Soldiers and their families 5. Better understanding of the role of nutrition, physical activity, and sleep habits on Soldier performance and resilience The strong history of collaboration coupled with the world-class research capabilities and facilities at Pennington Biomedical supports a program that identifies novel strategies for the optimization of readiness, performance, health, and resilience.

Professor; Director of Human Performance Optimization

Associate Executive Director for Cores and Resources; Co-Director, Center for Military Performance and Resilience

Dudley & Beverly Coates Endowed Professor; Director, Behavior Technology Laboratory: Health, Performance & Resilience; Co-Director, Center for Military Performance & Resilience

Associate Professor, Clinical Science; Director, Nutritional Physiology Lab

Associate Professor, Clinical Science - Micronutrient Metabolism Lab

Director of Biomedical Imaging; Professor