BATON ROUGE – A researcher at one of the country's premiere research facilities based in Baton Rouge has been recognized for his contribution to the study of obesity and ways to fight the health crisis.

Dr. Eric Ravussin, Ph.D., received a Lifetime Achievement honor from the Friends of Albert (Mickey) Stunkard, an honor bestowed on someone who has made significant contributions to obesity research. The award is in remembrance of Dr. Albert (Mickey) Stunkard who spent his life working with obese individuals.

Dr. Ravussin has been at Pennington Biomedical Research Center for nearly 20 years. He said coming to Baton Rouge after studying in Switzerland was important because Pennington “is the only research institution in the world with a critical mass of investigators all working in obesity and related conditions.”

Ravussin is a world expert in the conduct of translational research in obesity and Type 2 diabetes. He is currently working on the MoTrPAC research study which aims to explain how exercise impacts our bodies at the cellular level—something researchers have not previously understood. The results of this study could help with the development of personalized exercise programs that can maximize the benefits of exercise, even for people who have previously seen little results from exercise efforts.

“Dr. Eric Ravussin is one of the groundbreaking researchers who have uncovered many of the triggers of obesity and keys to nutrition and exercise that help people lose weight and keep it off. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Ravussin as a colleague, investigator and a true leader in the field,” Donna Ryan, LSU Pennington Biomedical Executive Director, said.

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