BATON ROUGE –– The LSU Enterprise has announced the appointment of Dr. David Guzick as its new Chief Research Officer, effective May 15, 2025. Dr. Guzick previously served as Chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport and brings a distinguished background in academic medicine, research leadership, and innovation to this newly elevated role.

As Chief Research Officer, Dr. Guzick will report directly to LSU President William F. Tate IV and lead implementation of the LSU Enterprise’s research plan. His responsibilities include driving the university’s research growth, modernizing infrastructure and digital platforms, fostering collaboration across LSU’s campuses and centers, and advancing research that contributes to Louisiana’s economic and social well-being.

“Dr. Guzick has been an extraordinary contributor to LSU, and I’m deeply grateful for his continued service to our university,” said LSU President William F. Tate IV. “His experience leading complex academic health systems and research initiatives makes him uniquely suited to help advance our bold vision for the LSU Enterprise. I’m especially excited to see how his strategic leadership will pair with the outstanding work of Robert Twilley, our Vice President of Research and Economic Development, as we drive research excellence and economic growth across Louisiana.”

Dr. Guzick’s appointment underscores LSU’s commitment to becoming a Top 50 public research university and to expanding the impact of its enterprise-wide research efforts across disciplines and campuses – including LSU’s flagship in Baton Rouge, the LSU AgCenter, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and the LSU Health Sciences Centers in both New Orleans and Shreveport.

Dr. Lester Wayne Johnson has been appointed Interim Chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport and Interim Dean of the School of Medicine, effective May 15, 2025.

Dr. Johnson currently serves as Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and is a practicing surgeon with Ochsner LSU Health in Monroe. He brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and a deep commitment to LSU Health Shreveport.