Joan Hilton

Dr. Joan Hilton is a Professor at the University of California San Francisco with extensive expertise in biostatistics and epidemiology. Her research spans multiple disciplines including pulmonary arterial hypertension, schistosomiasis, HIV/AIDS, and cancer epidemiology. She has served as Principal Investigator on numerous NIH-funded research projects since 1987 and maintains active research through 2025, including an NIAID-funded screening study for schistosomiasis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Education:

• BS in Biology from Spring Hill College, Mobile (1976)
• MPH in Epidemiology from Tulane School of Public Health, New Orleans (1982)
• MS in Biostatistics from Harvard School of Public Health, Boston (1987)
• ScD in Biostatistics from Harvard School of Public Health, Boston (1990)

Dr. Hilton's research demonstrates exceptional methodological rigor in addressing complex global health challenges. Her work in pulmonary arterial hypertension focuses on schistosomiasis-endemic regions of Brazil, Ethiopia, and Zambia, examining hemodynamic changes and cardiovascular complications. In HIV/AIDS research, she has investigated oral manifestations of AIDS, anal HPV infection in aging men who have sex with men, and interactions between HIV and iron-deficiency anemia in pregnancy. Her cancer epidemiology work spans prostate cancer surveillance, uterine fibroids, and HPV-related cancers, often employing sophisticated biostatistical approaches.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2020-2025) reveals three dominant research streams: 1) schistosomiasis-associated pulmonary hypertension (6 publications), 2) HIV and HPV-related conditions (5 publications), and 3) methodological studies in biostatistics and epidemiology (4 publications). Her work consistently involves international collaborations and addresses health disparities in resource-limited settings.

Scientific Awards:

• Most Outstanding Senior Woman, Spring Hill College (1976)
• U.S. Public Health Service Training Grants (1980-82)
• National Cancer Institute Training Grants (1985-88)
• International Biometric Society, ENAR: Student Research Award (1990)
• President, International Biometric Society, Western North American Region (1997)
• Local Organizing Chair, International Biometric Conference (2000)
• Secretary, AAAS Section on Statistics (2008-2011)
• Fulbright Scholar Award (2009-2010)

Dr. Hilton has maintained continuous research funding for over three decades, including a major NIH project on oral manifestations of AIDS (1987-2007), a Fulbright Scholar Award at Institut Gustav-Roussy in Paris (2009-2010), and her current NIAID-funded project through 2025. While specific advisees aren't listed in the provided materials, her leadership of multi-institutional research teams suggests extensive mentorship experience. She appears to be a key collaborator in the UCSF-based Pulmonary Hypertension Research Group and the HIV/AIDS Research Consortium.

Dr. Hilton leads several international research collaborations focused on schistosomiasis-associated pulmonary hypertension, working with teams in Brazil, Ethiopia, and Zambia. Her work with the California Stress, Trauma, and Resilience Study (CalSTARS) indicates involvement in multi-omics research teams at UCSF. She is also a core member of the Anal HPV, HIV and Aging (AHHA) study team, which examines age-related changes in HPV infection among aging populations with HIV.