Alison Huang

Dr. Alison Huang is Professor of Medicine, Urology, and Epidemiology & Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. She serves as Director of Research for General Internal Medicine at UCSF Health and Director of the UCSF Women's Health Clinical Research Center. Her work bridges clinical care and translational research, focusing on women’s health and aging.

• Harvard University – B.A. in History and Literature
• Cambridge University – MPhil, Trinity College Charles Fiske Scholar
• University of California, San Francisco – MD, Internal Medicine Residency, MAS in Clinical Research Methods
• San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center – Ambulatory Care Research Fellowship
• University of California – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training, 2020

Dr. Huang’s research centers on genitourinary health in aging women, including urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, menopause symptoms, and pelvic pain. She investigates the impact of interpersonal trauma, sleep disruption, and cognitive decline on these conditions. Her work emphasizes patient-reported outcomes, behavioral interventions (such as yoga), and pharmacologic therapies. She develops and validates multidimensional tools to assess urogenital aging and quality of life across diverse populations.

Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on clinical trials of nonhormonal treatments for menopausal symptoms, behavioral interventions for pelvic conditions, and epidemiological studies on UTIs, nocturia, and social determinants of health. Her research spans internal medicine, geriatrics, gynecology, urology, and complementary therapies, often highlighting health disparities and the integration of mental and physical health in aging women.

Notable scientific honors include:

• Elected Membership, American Society for Clinical Investigation (2025)
• Distinguished Professor of Geriatrics and Aging, Society of General Internal Medicine (2023)
• Paul B. Beeson Career Development Award (2011)
• T.F. Williams Award in Aging Research (2009)

Dr. Huang is a dedicated mentor, leading NIH-funded training programs and mentoring students, fellows, and junior faculty in clinical research methods and career development. She has principal investigator roles on multiple NIH grants, including R01s and K awards, supporting research on pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and resident investigator training. She also leads multidisciplinary teams and clinical trials focused on integrative and behavioral health interventions.

She directs the UCSF Women's Health Clinical Research Center and leads studies such as the National Program to Overcome Pelvic Pain (POPPY) and trials on yoga, nitroglycerin for hot flashes, and cognitive-behavioral therapy for nocturia and insomnia. Her team includes clinical scientists, epidemiologists, and behavioral health specialists working across disciplines to improve women’s health outcomes.