For more than three decades, Dr. Jennifer Rood has been a driving force at Pennington Biomedical, building a career defined by scientific rigor, leadership and impact. Since joining the Center in 1993, she has served in a range of leadership roles, most recently as Associate Executive Director for Cores and Resources, where she oversees the critical infrastructure supporting the Center’s basic, clinical and population research.

Over the years, she has led several of these core functions herself – including the Clinical Chemistry, Exercise Testing and Mass Spectrometry cores—advancing the specialized expertise and technologies that power the Center’s discoveries. Her work also extends beyond the lab as co-director of the Center for Military Performance and Resilience, where her Department of Defense-funded research focuses on nutrition, metabolism and human physiology to enhance performance and readiness.

Now, as senior vice chancellor and interim executive director, Dr. Rood is helping lead Pennington Biomedical through an important period of transition – focused on supporting its people, strengthening collaboration and continuing the momentum of research that improves health in Louisiana and around the world.

Scientists have identified arachidonic acid (AA) as the core molecule responsible for oxidative stress-induced intestinal damage—a common threat to both human health and animal husbandry. Using piglet and lab-grown intestinal organoid models, the research team confirmed that oxidative stress elevates AA levels, which in turn inhibits the differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells, leading to impaired digestion and nutrient absorption. Critically, the study validated that blocking the release of AA, either through inhibitors or genetic methods, significantly protects the intestine from stress-induced damage. This discovery reveals a clear target for developing new interventions, such as targeted feed additives or therapeutic strategies, to enhance intestinal resilience and health.