Diversity in Life Sciences

Preston is the Practice Lead for Pharmacology and Toxicology at Venebio. He specializes in tobacco product development, regulatory submissions, and successful product strategies that achieve market orders. He as extensive experience with clinical pharmacokinetic studies, drug/tobacco product development, quantitative risk assessments and computational modeling.

Earlier in Preston’s career researching lung cancer, he realized he could have a much greater impact on cancer by transitioning smokers to lower risk products. With that goal in mind he cofounded and was Chief Science Officer for a company developing nicotine-free cessation and nootropic products focused on the behavioral pharmacology of terpenes and cannabis. In addition, he led a research team in developing terpene and cannabis-based products and devices for cognitive enhancement, even traveling to the jungles of Nepal to obtain plant samples for an inhalable nootropic. Preston has extensive expertise in product development and regulatory requirements across the nicotine and cannabis categories and is frequently asked to speak at Cannabis conferences.

Preston received his PhD in Pharmacology from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN and received Business Management Training at the Vanderbilt Owen School.