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Health and ScienceSaturday, October 31

Dr. Petter Bjornstad is named to lead Pennington Biomedical Research Center

The Daily Baton Rouge teamFrom Saturday’s edition · 1 min read · 2 sources

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LSU named Dr. Petter Bjornstad the new senior vice chancellor and executive director of Research Center on Thursday, pending approval by the LSU Board of Supervisors. He's now executive director of the UW Medicine Diabetes Institute at the University of Washington. He begins June 30, 2027.

In the age of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, Bjornstad wants to broaden the center's focus beyond obesity to explore effects on the whole body. He plans to bring on 30 new faculty members at Chancellor Jim Dalton's direction, The Advocate reports.

Pennington has over 550 employees and would add 30 faculty

Over 550
employees at Pennington Biomedical
$100 million
roughly, in its yearly budget
30
new faculty members Bjornstad plans to bring on

Source: The Advocate

  • Replaces: interim leader Jennifer Rood
  • Search: monthslong and international
  • Reports to: Chancellor Jim Dalton, under LSU's new structure

Bjornstad's hiring follows a year of change at LSU

  1. Nov. 2025Wade Rousse and Jim Dalton are appointed to lead LSU.
  2. Dec. 2025John Kirwan steps down as Pennington's executive director.
  3. Oct. 29LSU announces Bjornstad as Pennington's new leader.
  4. June 2027Bjornstad will begin his new role.

Sources: Louisiana First News, The Advocate

Sources: Louisiana First News, The Advocate

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