16 PBRF 2010 Annual Report Jennifer <strong>and</strong> Mike Rood
PBRF 2010 Annual Report 17 Legacy of Giving Dr. Jennifer C. Rood <strong>and</strong> Mr. Michael Rood Changing Lives by Leaving a Legacy “It’s like solving a puzzle,” says Jennifer Rood, Ph.D. “There’s a problem, <strong>and</strong> we’re trying to find the answer. The work that takes place here makes a real difference in people’s lives.” As director of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s Clinical Research Laboratory, Jennifer tracks the progress of a constant stream of projects, all aimed at improving some of the nation’s greatest health challenges. She believes in her work so strongly that last fall, Jennifer <strong>and</strong> her husb<strong>and</strong>, Mike, made a planned gift to the Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation. Their future contribution will be dedicated to supporting the work of emerging scientists. “We both were excited about making a difference by doing this,” says Mike, Communications Director of the Louisiana Press Association. “It makes us feel great to support organizations we believe in.” A native of the Mississippi Delta, Jennifer considered a career in medicine after watching her father suffer from chronic arthritis, <strong>and</strong> later, kidney <strong>and</strong> heart disease. The field of research, however, held a different promise. “I thought, if I go into medicine, I could help one person at a time,” she recalls. “But if I go into research, I could change a lot of lives.” After completing a degree in microbiology at LSU, where she <strong>and</strong> Mike met, Jennifer completed a doctorate in pathology at LSU’s Health <strong>Science</strong>s Center in <strong>New</strong> Orleans. The couple married in 1992 <strong>and</strong> returned to Baton Rouge the following year, when she accepted a position at Pennington as an instructor <strong>and</strong> assistant director of the Clinical Research Laboratory. Jennifer advanced rapidly <strong>and</strong> has contributed significant findings to obesity research. In 2002, she was appointed lab director, <strong>and</strong> became the director of the Mass Spectrometry Lab in 2006. Her findings have garnered significant praise <strong>and</strong> contributed to nearly 70 studies <strong>and</strong> articles. After nearly two decades at Pennington, Jennifer’s appreciation for the Center’s accomplishments <strong>and</strong> the hope of research is undiminished. “I know the good that we do, <strong>and</strong> I see how important it is, especially for a young scientist, to have support,” Jennifer says. Mike agrees, adding, “We want to leave that behind.” The Legacy Society Members of The Legacy Society are those individuals who have made a planned gift to the Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation or have notified the Foundation of their intention to do so. Members of The Legacy Society help to fulfill the Center’s mission for generations to come. THE LEGACY SOCIETY Dr. Claude Bouchard <strong>and</strong> Monique Chagnon H. Douglas Braymer, Ph. D. Marilyn Braymer Catherine Champagne, Ph.D., R.D. Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Dudley W. Coates *Margaret C. Moore Virginia B. <strong>and</strong> John B. Nol<strong>and</strong> *Norma Jean Raiford Dr. Jennifer C. Rood <strong>and</strong> Mr. Michael Rood