Foundation Mission
The mission of Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation is to support the work of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, which aims to discover the triggers of chronic diseases through innovative research that improves human health across the lifespan.
Over the last 30 years, Pennington Biomedical’s world-renowned scientists have made remarkable discoveries that have improved the way Americans exercise, eat, age, and think about obesity, diabetes, dementia and other chronic diseases.
But many questions remain about the triggers and treatment of these devastating diseases.
Pennington Biomedical researchers have been involved in the development of every obesity medication on the market today and many diabetes medications. Pennington Biomedical’s research helped shape the DASH Diet, consistently ranked the No. 1 diet in America by U.S. News & World Report. And, Pennington Biomedical’s science has been helping the U.S. military and their families stay healthy for the past three decades.
Philanthropic gifts help accelerate the exploration of new ideas, innovative techniques, life-changing programs, and powerful technologies.
By contributing to Pennington Biomedical, you have the power to help people everywhere live longer and healthier lives.
Pennington Biomedical is a world-respected leader in obesity and chronic disease research. Our extraordinary team of scientists and staff work each day to advance scientific discovery and continue the Center’s amazing legacy.
— Jennifer Rood, PhDThe Origin Story
In 1980, C.B. “Doc” Pennington and his wife, Irene, made one of the most generous gifts ever from a private individual to a public institution — a pledge of $125 million to Louisiana State University to build the biggest and best nutritional research facility in the nation. Doc’s directions were simple: “Build the best nutritional research center in the country.”
Build the best nutritional research center in the country.
— C.B. "Doc" Pennington, 1980It was important to Doc that others join this effort and contribute to the success of this endeavor. Many community leaders came together to find the necessary funding to recruit and hire the Center’s first executive director, Dr. George Bray — a world-renowned obesity, diabetes, and metabolism specialist who would lay the scientific foundation for everything that followed.
The Foundation’s Role
The Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation was formally established in 1987 by a group of Baton Rouge business leaders committed to seeing Doc Pennington’s vision realized. From the start, the Foundation’s role has been to bridge the gap between vision and science — maintaining endowments, recruiting researchers, and raising unrestricted funds that give scientists the freedom to pursue bold ideas.
Why unrestricted funding matters: Federal grants require detailed proposals and predetermined outcomes. Unrestricted charitable gifts allow researchers to pursue exploratory work — the kind that leads to unexpected breakthroughs. The Foundation exists precisely to fund this freedom.
Over the decades, the Foundation has maintained the Center’s endowments — including professorships, chairs, and research funds — and created additional avenues of funding that allow the Center to grow. Charitable gifts from donors provide essential leverage that permits Pennington Biomedical researchers to acquire federal and state funding.
Historical Timeline
From a pledge on a handshake to a globally recognized research institution — four decades of milestones.
The Gift That Started It All
C.B. “Doc” Pennington and his wife Irene pledge $125 million to LSU — at the time the largest single gift to an institution of higher learning.
Ground Broken
Construction begins on land owned by Louisiana State University along what is now Perkins Road.
Campus Construction Complete
The 222-acre campus is completed, including an administrative building, outpatient clinics, a basic laboratory wing, an animal care facility, and a physical plant.
The Foundation is Established
Baton Rouge business leaders formally establish the Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation. A $9.4M USDA grant equips the first labs.
Doors Open — Dr. George Bray Appointed
Dr. George Bray, a world-renowned obesity and metabolism specialist, becomes the Center’s first executive director.
First Federal Research Agreement
Pennington Biomedical signs a $3.5 million research agreement with the U.S. Army.
New Science Building Opens
The 187,000 sq ft basic science laboratory building opens, dramatically expanding research capacity.
20th Anniversary & $50M Expansion
The Louisiana State Legislature approves $50 million to complete a new clinic building and campus improvements.
A Living Legacy
With 100+ researchers and the Obecity USA campaign targeting, the Foundation continues fulfilling Doc Pennington’s founding vision.
Legacy & Impact
Today, Pennington Biomedical is a world leader in research of obesity, diabetes, dementia, and other chronic diseases. The Foundation’s role has never been more vital — as federal funding becomes more competitive, unrestricted philanthropic support is what allows the Center’s scientists to pursue the highest-risk, highest-reward research.
Pennington Biomedical researchers have been involved in the development of every obesity medication on the market today. Their science helped shape the DASH Diet, consistently ranked the #1 diet in America by U.S. News & World Report. Their work supports the U.S. military’s nutrition programs and informs public health policy at the national level.
Our generous founders, C.B. “Doc” and Irene Pennington, had tremendous foresight regarding the future of health research. Their vision provided the laboratories and facilities on our campus — but they also challenged others to fill these buildings with top-notch researchers and world-renowned science. That challenge lives on in everything the Foundation does today.
Help Write the Next Chapter
Your gift supports the unrestricted research that no federal grant can fund — the bold ideas that change everything.