People

THE BOGALUSA HEART STUDY

Gerald Berenson, MD

Sept, 1922 – Nov, 2018

A pioneer investigator of heart disease risk in children.and adolescents and founder of the Bogalusa Study in children

Bachelor’s in Science from Tulane University in 1943. He received his medical degree from Tulane in 1945. He then served as a doctor in the US Navy from 1945 to 1948.

Biography

Gerald Sanders Berenson was an American cardiologist, heart researcher, and public health specialist who specialized in researching the causes of heart diseases. Berenson’s fundamental research revealed that adult heart disease arises from practices and behaviors that begin in childhood. He also discovered that atherosclerosis was significantly more pronounced in individuals who had three or four cardiovascular risk factors compared to those who had none.

Lydia A. Bazzano, MD, PhD

Lynda B. and H. Leighton Steward Professor in Nutrition Research

Director, Center for Lifespan Epidemiology Research

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Wei Chen, MD

Research Professor
Center for Cardiovascular Health
Department of Epidemiology

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Emily Harville, PhD

Associate Professor
Department of Epidemiology

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Lu Qi, MD, PhD

HCA Regents Distinguished Chair and Professor

Director, Tulane University Obesity Research Center

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Changwei Li, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

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Tanika Kelly, PhD, MPH

Professor

DOM – Nephrology, DOM – Nephrology

PhD, Genetic Epidemiology
Tulane University

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Owen T Carmichael, PhD, BS

Professor

Director of Biomedical Imaging

Louisiana State University

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Elaine M. Urbina, MD, MS

Director, Preventive Cardiology, Heart Institute
Research Integrity Officer
Faculty Conflict of Interest Officer
Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

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Robert L. Newton, Jr., PhD

Professor

Physical Activity & Ethnic Minority Health

Louisiana State University

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Jessica G. Woo, MHSA, PhD

Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
UC Department of Environmental Health

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Rhoda Au, PhD

Professor Epidemiology
Professor, Anatomy & Neurobiology – Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Investigator – Framingham Heart Study

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Vijaya B. Kolachalama, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Boston University Dept of Medicine

Using AI to detect Alzheimer’s disease dementia

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David. J. Libon, PhD

Professor

Rowan University

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Kieth Ferdinand, PhD

Professor

Gerald S. Berenson Chair in Preventative Cardiology

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Sid O’Bryant, PhD

Professor

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Consultants

Geert Jan Biessels

Professor

Onbekend Partnerschap Geverifieerd

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Shakira Suglia

Professor, Faculty, Epidemiology
Rollins School of Public Health
Cardiometabolic Diseases

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Bogalusa Hearts Study Staff

Lerue “Everett” Watson III Retires

Mr. Lerue “Everett” Watson III has worked on the Bogalusa Heart Study for over 30 years, shedding light on heart disease causes and prevention. However, Everett’s path to the Bogalusa Heart Study was indirect. He taught band to Bogalusa Junior High School students from 1959 to 1989. After retiring, he wanted a part-time job doing something different than before. After talking to several people at SCOR-A (Specialized Center Of Research – Atherosclerosis, as the Heart Study was then known), Everett felt he could contribute much to the study’s ongoing projects. His desire to change the world was his motivator to join the study and assist with participant recruitment, informed consent, data collection, and physical exams for the Bogalusa Heart Study.

Did you know we’re turning 50?

Check out this video on the history of the Bogalusa Heart Study and help us keep the discoveries going!

If you’re a past participant, you may qualify for our new studies! Call us at 985.735.9861 to find out!”