Postdoctoral Research Experience Gets Major Boost at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge

Claude Bouchard-Monique Chagnon Fund

Rebecca Schutte, Dr. Claude Bouchard, Monique Chagnon, and Dr. John Kirwan

BATON ROUGE, La., June 1, 2023 (VSNewsNetwork.com) - Dr. Claude Bouchard, former Executive Director of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and his wife, Monique Chagnon, have been honored for their remarkable contribution to enhancing the postdoctoral researcher experience. Their generous gift aims to support and empower postdoctoral fellows at the renowned research center.

Recognizing the crucial role played by postdocs in driving scientific research forward, Dr. Bouchard emphasized their significance, stating, "They work hard, they master the latest technologies, they are eager to succeed and passionate about science. One could argue that they are the actual driver of research in a laboratory. They challenge their mentors, and everyone becomes wiser in the process."

To enhance the experiences of postdoctoral researchers at Pennington Biomedical, Dr. Bouchard and Chagnon pledged a substantial amount of $1 million. This endowment led to the establishment of the Claude Bouchard-Monique Chagnon Fund, which will provide support to postdoctoral fellows engaged in basic research, clinical studies, and public health and population science.

The couple hopes that their contribution marks just the beginning of the fund's growth and encourages others who recognize the value of postdoctoral fellows to science and the mission of Pennington Biomedical and Baton Rouge to contribute to its further enhancement.

During Dr. Bouchard's tenure as the Executive Director, Pennington Biomedical created a Division of Education, which focused on supporting postdoctoral training and fostering collaborations with the National Institutes of Health and the National Association of Postdoctoral Fellows. These efforts resulted in Pennington Biomedical being recognized as one of the top 10 postdoctoral programs in the country.

Dr. John Kirwan, Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical, acknowledged Dr. Bouchard's significant contributions, stating, "This generous gift is part of a much larger legacy Dr. Bouchard has given to Pennington Biomedical. His impact on this institution is undeniable, from expanding the number of postdoctoral researchers to advancing the impact of basic research and expanding the campus. Moreover, his own research career is unparalleled, making him one of the most cited researchers globally."

Rebecca Schutte, President/CEO of Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation, highlighted the global reach of Dr. Bouchard's legacy through the postdoctoral researchers he mentored, who are now conducting cutting-edge science worldwide.

Expressing gratitude for the transformative gift, Schutte said, "We are so grateful to Claude and Monique for this gift that will greatly amplify our ability to recruit the best and brightest postdocs in the world. Their generosity adds to Pennington Biomedical's commitment to providing an inclusive environment for postdocs to thrive. We invite others to join us in supporting the success of the next generation of scientists."

To make a contribution to the Claude Bouchard-Monique Chagnon Fund, please visit https://pbrf.org/giving/.

Source: Pennington Biomedical Research Center via Newswire