David Hillman

David Hillman is a Clinical Professor at the University of Western Australia (UWA) in the School of Human Sciences, affiliated with the Centre for Sleep Science and Department of Surgery. He leads research in sleep medicine, respiratory physiology, and anesthesia-related sleep disorders. Previously, he was Head of the Department of Pulmonary Physiology and Sleep Medicine at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (1999–2014) and held leadership roles in organizations like the Australasian Sleep Association and Sleep Health Foundation.

Education: MBBS (UWA, 1974), FANZCA (1981), FRCP(Edin) (2004). Awards include Member of the Order of Australia (AM, 2018), FRACP(Hon) (2008), and multiple clinical excellence awards. His research focuses on sleep pathophysiology, upper airway dynamics, and cardiovascular risks linked to sleep disorders. He has authored over 200 publications and secured >$7M in grants.

Teaching/Mentoring: Supervised >20 sleep physicians and 10 PhD students since 2007. Editorial roles include Deputy Editor of Sleep (2013–2015) and Section Editor for Anesthesia & Analgesia (2014–2020). His grants include studies on hypoglossal nerve stimulation and cannabinoid-based insomnia treatments.

Key contributions include defining OSA’s cardiovascular risks, developing diagnostic metrics, and advancing therapies like CPAP and neuromodulation. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being (SDG 3).