Dr. Wilson is an environmental cancer epidemiologist by training with experience in trans-disciplinary implementation research. Her research focuses on the intersection between genetic and environmental factors influencing kidney cancer risk, including trace element exposures and vitamin D metabolism. This research has identified cancer and health effects associated with environmental exposure to heavy metals, gene x environment interactions, dietary exposure pathways in mining-impacted areas, and new biomarker assay and assessment techniques. Dr. Wilson has led or contributed to published research conducted among diverse population groups in the United States (American Indian/Alaska Natives, African American, rural Appalachian), Bolivia (Spanish and Quechuan), Central/Eastern Europe, Finland and Sweden. Her work has been funded by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US National Institutes of Health (NIH), the US Naval Health Research Center, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Pennsylvania State University (PSU), and Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH).

In professional service, Dr. Wilson currently serves as the Policy Co-Chair of the Epidemiology Section of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and as a board member of the International Network for Epidemiology in Policy (INEP), a consortium of over 20 epidemiologic professional associations worldwide. Dr. Wilson has served on public health, research, award, and/or career panels for the NIH, US Department of Defense, Worldwide Cancer Research, the PA DOH, PSU, Temple University, and APHA.

In her educational role, Dr. Wilson has had the honor of serving as the founding director of a Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program, and as a mentor for over 60 students and faculty from diverse cultures and racial/ethnic backgrounds. She was named Outstanding College of Medicine Mentor and the Inaugural College of Medicine Dean’s Diversity Award Champion by PSU. She developed the NIH-funded Early Preparation and Inspiration for Careers in the Biomedical Sciences (EPIC) program, designed to increase interest and persistence in STEM careers among high school students through university-high school partnerships in epidemiology education. This effort is now being expanded via The Technology-Linked Epidemiology Education Network (TEEN) in an NIH-funded partnership with Wicked Device, an innovative computer engineering and environmental monitoring company. Dr. Wilson’s mentees have been admitted to academic posts, fellowships, and/or employment with the Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson University, Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, Mount Sinai Hospital, the National Cancer Institute, PA DOH, PSU, Stanford University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Wisconsin, University of Texas, and Yale University. Dr. Wilson joined the Temple University College of Public Health in 2019.