Bouchard Announces Retirement as Executive Director, Will continue genetic research at PBRC - 03.18.2009

Dr. Claude Bouchard, executive director of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center (PBRC), today announced plans to step down this summer to return to fulltime duties as a faculty member and researcher.

“We’ve achieved the major objectives that we set for ourselves a decade ago. PBRC has an extraordinary future, but I feel that it is time for new leadership ideas and perspectives,” Bouchard said, “I’m anxious to get back into research full-time; there is much to learn and contribute at a time when the genetic basis of chronic disease prevention is moving at the forefront of the biomedical research agenda.”

Dr. Bouchard, a specialist in the genetic causes of obesity and diabetes, led PBRC for ten years. He said he will continue to serve as executive director until his successor is chosen.

“Dr. Bouchard led the Pennington Biomedical Research Center over a period of exceptional growth,” said LSU System President Dr. John Lombardi. “The quality of programs and research, and the scale of its operation have earned Pennington a recognized place among the international community of biomedical research centers. Leadership of this significance is an institutional treasure, and we are grateful that Dr. Bouchard's skills, abilities, and wisdom will remain an asset of the PBRC after his retirement as executive director.”

Under Bouchard’s direction, PBRC tripled in size, significantly increasing the center’s scientific research into the role that nutrition, exercise and genetics play in prevention of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and cancer.

Bouchard spearheaded the effort to devise two five-year strategic plans at PBRC, roadmaps that led to the construction of a second basic science research building, a population science wing, and a second clinical research facility, currently under construction. Plans are also finalized to begin the construction of a research imaging center and an expanded central utilities and storage facility.

During his tenure as executive director, Bouchard, who holds the George A. Bray Endowed Super Chair in Nutrition and is the author of several books and more than 900 scientific papers, garnered widespread recognition that included all major national and international awards from obesity research and exercise science societies. His recognition culminated in his recent election to the rank of Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

“We have invested an enormous amount of time and energy, with the support of our foundation, local philanthropists and the state, in the growth of the center,” said Bouchard. “PBRC is now well positioned to take advantage of research and economic development opportunities in the future.”

The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a campus of the Louisiana State University System and conducts basic, clinical and population research in nutrition and disease prevention. The research enterprise at PBRC includes 85 faculty and more than 40 post-doctoral fellows. PBRC is made up of a network of 50 laboratories as well as 19 highly specialized core service facilities. The center's nearly 600 employees occupy several buildings on the 234-acre campus.

Pictured Above: Dr. Claude Bouchard, Executive Director of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center

For More Information Contact:
Glen Duncan
225-763-2599
glen.duncan@pbrc.edu
http://www/pbrc.edu