Rate My Professor Kathryn Peterson

Kathryn A. Peterson, MD, MSci, is Professor of Gastroenterology at University of Utah Health, with adjunct appointments as Professor in Internal Medicine and Assistant Professor in Dermatology. She earned a B.S. in Molecular Biology from Texas Tech University, an M.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and an M.Sci. in Epidemiology from Harvard University. Dr. Peterson completed her internship, residency in Internal Medicine, and fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Gastroenterology. Previously, she served as Associate Professor of Gastroenterology, Associate Chief for the Division of Gastroenterology, and Director of Research for the Division. Her clinical expertise encompasses diagnosing and treating diseases of the digestive system, including eosinophilic esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal motility disorders, esophageal diseases, and eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases.

Dr. Peterson's research specializes in eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, with a particular emphasis on eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), investigating familial risks, autoimmunity associations, food-specific antibodies, esophageal eosinophilia in relatives, and links to conditions such as achalasia and chronic rhinosinusitis. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, including "Risk of Autoimmunity in EoE and Families: A Population-Based Cohort Study" (2016), "Eosinophil granule major basic protein 1 deposition in eosinophilic esophagitis correlates with symptoms independent of eosinophil counts" (2019), "Emerging Therapies for Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases" (2021), "Eosinophilic Gastritis and Enteritis Are Increased in Families with Eosinophilic Esophagitis" (2022), "Oesophageal secretions reveal local food-specific antibody responses in eosinophilic oesophagitis" (2022), "Achalasia is Strongly Associated with Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Other Allergic Disorders" (2023), "Mepolizumab for treatment of adolescents and adults with eosinophilic oesophagitis" (2023), and "Inflammatory Markers in Gastric Fluids Differentiate Patients With Eosinophilic Gastritis" (2025). Recognized as one of the Division of Gastroenterology's most productive investigators, she currently holds ten grants, has served as Principal Investigator or co-Investigator on 38 prior grants, produced 46 peer-reviewed journal articles, presented research nationally and internationally, and mentored 26 faculty and trainees. In 2020, she was appointed to The James W. Freston Presidential Endowed Chair in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. Clinically, she ranks in the top one percent of Academic Medical Center Providers according to Press-Ganey patient satisfaction scores.