Dietary Fiber in Health and Disease

Mark L Dreher, PhD is President and Chief Science Officer of Nutrition Science Solutions, LLC. He received his education in biochemistry and agricultural biochemistry and nutrition at UCLA and The University of Arizona. Dr. Dreher started his career as a research scientist in medical food product development at McGaw Laboratories in Irvine, California. Later, he served as Assistant Professor in Food and Nutrition at North Dakota State University leading research on sunflower seeds, dry edible beans and emerging grains. During his subsequent 30+ year career in the food, agricultural and pharmaceutical industries, he held key roles in over 150 new healthy product development projects and food-based clinical research trials. He has authored or co-authored over 50 research journal articles and book chapters. Dr. Dreher has authored or co-authored two handbooks on dietary fiber and one book on complex carbohydrates. He served as the chair of the International Life Science Institute -North American Food, Nutrition and Safety and Carbohydrate Committees and vice chair of the Functional Foods for Health Committee. Dr. Dreher was a member of the 1997 Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Carbohydrate and Human Nutrition. He was a Fellow in the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy and Resources Leadership Program for the Future in Washington DC. Dr. Dreher is involved in the American Society for Nutrition, American Heart Association, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and Institute of Food Technology. Dr. Dreher is actively engaged in projects and research related to the role of healthy diets, whole foods, and phytochemicals in health, chronic disease prevention and optimal aging.