Dr. James Freston is a Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology), Boehringer Ingelheim Chair of Clinical Pharmacology, and Director of Clinical Research at The University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, Connecticut. He was Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the University of Connecticut from 1980-1997, a position relinquished to direct the Health Center’s clinical research programs, which include an NIH-sponsored General Clinical Research Center, a Clinical Trials Office, and investigator training and education services.
Formerly, Dr. Freston was Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at the University of Utah, where he won the Outstanding Professor award 6 times, and directed the Gastroenterology and Clinical Pharmacology Divisions.
Dr. Freston is Chairman of the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition, Past Chairman of the American Digestive Health Foundation, and Past President of the American Gastroenterology Association. He was consultant to the Surgeon General for gastrointestinal section of The Health Consequences of Smoking and a member of two FDA Gastrointestinal Advisory Panels, as well as numerous NIH panels and committees. He is internationally recognized for his expertise in the clinical pharmacology of gastrointestinal drugs and diseases, particularly the acid-related disorders. He has lectured worldwide and is author of over 120 peer-reviewed journal articles and 40 books and chapters. He has served as a member of the editorial boards of several journals, including Annals of Internal Medicine, Practical Gastroenterology, Clinical Advances in Gastroenterology, and the Journal of Drug Development.
Dr. Freston received his MD degree from the University of Utah and his PhD degree from the University of London