Fran LoPresti, OIT’s Director of Technical Services and Support, will soon be honored by being named a Fellow of the Society for Clinical Trials. This title acknowledges and recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the advancement of clinical trials.

Fran worked for 25 years in the conducting of clinical trials and epidemiological studies, during which time she focused mainly on the use of computer technology to improve the quality of clinical trials and to enable larger trials to be conducted in diverse environments around the world. Her work contributed to landmark studies in the treatment of both cardiovascular disease and diabetic retinopathy.

Fran has authored more than 50 publications and presentations on topics relating to clinical trials. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Society for Clinical Trials, chaired or participated in many of the Society's committees, and was a peer reviewer for the Society’s Clinical Trials journal. In addition, she has also been a guest lecturer for the Johns Hopkins University and served as a site visitor for the National Institutes of Health, reviewing clinical trial sites’ IT practices and ensuring that they met national and international standards for clinical trials.

Fran is very happy that she has “helped make a difference in the everyday practice of medicine and treatment of leading diseases.” She will officially receive her title on May 19 at the Society for Clinical Trials’ 2008 Annual Meeting.