Robin Taylor Wilson

Associate Professor
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Phone
215-204-6119
Office
901 Ritter Annex

Biography

Dr. Wilson is an environmental cancer epidemiologist by training with experience in transdisciplinary implementation research. She directs the Kidney Cancer Research Prevention Program at Temple University. 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 (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Naval Health Research Center, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Pennsylvania State University (PSU), and Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH).

In professional service, Dr. Wilson is a Collaborating Member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program for the Temple Fox Chase Cancer Center and serves as a board member of the International Network for Epidemiology in Policy (INEP), a consortium of 24 epidemiologic professional associations worldwide. Dr. Wilson has served on public health, research, award and/or career panels for the APHA, North American Congress of Epidemiology, NIH, PA DOH, PSU, Temple University, U.S. Department of Defense, and Worldwide Cancer Research.

In her educational role, Dr. Wilson has had the honor of serving as a mentor for 85 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 Technology-Linked Epidemiology Education Network (TEEN), in partnership with Thinkdemic, to develop a new blended-learning platform designed to increase scientific self-efficacy.

Dr. Wilson’s trainees have been admitted to academic posts, fellowships, and/or employment with Jefferson University, Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, Mount Sinai Hospital, the National Cancer Institute, PA DOH, PSU, Public Health Management Corporation, Stanford, Temple University, University of Buffalo, University of Colorado, University of Delaware, University of Pittsburgh, University of Wisconsin, University of Texas, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Vanderbilt University and Yale University.

Education

  • PhD, Epidemiology, University of Iowa
  • MA, Geography, University of Colorado
  • BS, Political Science, Drake University 

Curriculum Vitae 

Labs: Kidney Cancer Prevention Research Program

Courses Taught

Number

Name

Level

EPBI 8213

Cancer Epidemiology

Graduate

EPBI 8402

Intermediate Concepts and Methods in Health Research

Graduate

ENVH 2102

Environmental Health

Undergraduate

ENVH 8207

Environmental Epidemiology

Graduate

Selected Publications

  • Cuffee, Y.L., Wang, M., Geyer, N.R., Saxena, S., Akuley, S., Jones, L., & Wilson, R.T. (2022). Vitamin D and family history of hypertension in relation to hypertension status among college students. J Hum Hypertens, 36(9), pp. 839-845. England. doi: 10.1038/s41371-021-00577-6

  • Smith, M.Y., Hogan, S., Jack, S.M., Wilson, R.T., & Oremus, M. (2022). The case for using mixed methods for designing, implementing, and disseminating evidence-based interventions for public health practice. J Public Health Policy, 43(2), pp. 292-303. England. doi: 10.1057/s41271-022-00343-z

  • Wu, H., Weinstein, S., Moore, L.E., Albanes, D., & Wilson, R.T. (2022). Coffee intake and trace element blood concentrations in association with renal cell cancer among smokers. Cancer Causes Control, 33(1), pp. 91-99. Netherlands. doi: 10.1007/s10552-021-01505-2

  • Stallworth, A.M., Chase, E.H., McDevitt, B., Marak, K.K., Freedman, M.A., Wilson, R.T., Burgos, W.D., & Warner, N.R. (2021). Efficacy of oil and gas produced water as a dust suppressant. Sci Total Environ, 799, p. 149347. Netherlands. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149347

  • Raynes-Greenow, C., Gaudino, J.A., Wilson, R.T., Advani, S., Weiss, S.H., Delaimy, W.A.l., & Policy, I.N.f.E.i.n. (2021). Beyond simple disclosure: addressing concerns about industry influence on public health. BMJ Glob Health, 6(2). England. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004824

  • Oremus, M., Taylor-Wilson, R., Aldrich, M., Bell, K., Gaudino, J., Palevsky, S., Payne, J., Raynes-Greenow, C., Sim, F., Smith, M., Weiss, S., & Zhang, Y. (2021). The role of epidemiologists in SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 research. Public Health, 190, pp. e3-e4. Netherlands. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.10.006

  • Wilson, R.T., Masters, L.D., Barnholtz-Sloan, J.S., Salzberg, A.C., & Hartman, T.J. (2018). Ancestry-Adjusted Vitamin D Metabolite Concentrations in Association With Cytochrome P450 3A Polymorphisms. Am J Epidemiol, 187(4), pp. 754-766. United States. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwx187

  • Wilson, R.T., Watson, E., Kaelin, M., & Huebner, W. (2018). Early Preparation and Inspiration for STEM Careers: Preliminary Report of the Epidemiology Challenge Randomized Intervention, 2014-2015. Public Health Rep, 133(1), pp. 64-74. United States. doi: 10.1177/0033354917746983

  • Wilson, R.T., Hasanali, S.H., Sheikh, M., Cramer, S., Weinberg, G., Firth, A., Weiss, S.H., & Soskolne, C.L. (2017). Challenges to the census: international trends and a need to consider public health benefits. Public Health, 151, pp. 87-97. Netherlands. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2017.05.015

  • Garrido, A.E., Strosnider, W.H.J., Wilson, R.T., Condori, J., & Nairn, R.W. (2017). Metal-contaminated potato crops and potential human health risk in Bolivian mining highlands. Environ Geochem Health, 39(3), pp. 681-700. Netherlands. doi: 10.1007/s10653-017-9943-4

  • Wilson, R.T., Bortner, J.D., Roff, A., Das, A., Battaglioli, E.J., Richie, J.P., Barnholtz-Sloan, J., Chinchilli, V.M., Berg, A., Liu, G., Salzberg, A.C., & El-Bayoumy, K. (2015). Genetic and environmental influences on plasma vitamin D binding protein concentrations. Transl Res, 165(6), pp. 667-676. United States. doi: 10.1016/j.trsl.2014.08.003

  • Farag, S., Das, R., Strosnider, W.H.J., & Wilson, R.T. (2015). Possible health effects of living in proximity to mining sites near Potosí, Bolivia. J Occup Environ Med, 57(5), pp. 543-551. United States. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000401

  • Tilburt, J.C., Koller, K., Tiesinga, J.J., Wilson, R.T., Trinh, A.C., Hill, K., Hall, I.J., Smith, J.L., Ekwueme, D.U., & Petersen, W.O. (2013). Patterns of clinical response to PSA elevation in American Indian/Alaska Native men: a multi-center pilot study. J Health Care Poor Underserved, 24(4), pp. 1676-1685. United States. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2013.0184

  • Wenrich, T.R., Brown, J.L., Wilson, R.T., & Lengerich, E.J. (2012). Impact of a community-based intervention on serving and intake of vegetables among low-income, rural Appalachian families. J Nutr Educ Behav, 44(1), pp. 36-45. United States. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2011.04.012

  • Southard, E.B., Roff, A., Fortugno, T., Richie, J.P., Kaag, M., Chinchilli, V.M., Virtamo, J., Albanes, D., Weinstein, S., & Wilson, R.T. (2012). Lead, calcium uptake, and related genetic variants in association with renal cell carcinoma risk in a cohort of male Finnish smokers. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 21(1), pp. 191-201. United States. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-11-0670

  • Wilson, R.T., Roff, A.N., Dai, P.J., Fortugno, T., Douds, J., Chen, G., Grove, G.L., Nikiforova, S.O., Barnholtz-Sloan, J., Frudakis, T., Chinchilli, V.M., Hartman, T.J., Demers, L.M., Shriver, M.D., Canfield, V.A., & Cheng, K.C. (2011). Genetic Ancestry, Skin Reflectance and Pigmentation Genotypes in Association with Serum Vitamin D Metabolite Balance. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig, 7(1), pp. 279-293. Germany. doi: 10.1515/HMBCI.2011.021

  • Wilson, R.T., Giroux, J., Kasicky, K.R., Fatupaito, B.H., Wood, E.C., Crichlow, R., Rhodes, N.A.S., Tingueley, J., Walling, A., Langwell, K., & Cobb, N. (2011). Breast and cervical cancer screening patterns among American Indian women at IHS clinics in Montana and Wyoming. Public Health Rep, 126(6), pp. 806-815. United States. doi: 10.1177/003335491112600606

  • Roff, A., Carastro, L.M., & Wilson, R.T. (2010). Corrigendum to "A novel SNP in a vitamin D response element of the CYP24A1 promoter reduces protein binding, transactivation, and gene expression" [J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. 112 (2008) 47-54] (DOI:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2008.08.009). Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 118(1-2), p. 133. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2009.09.003

  • Wilson, R.T., Wang, J., Chinchilli, V., Richie, J.P., Virtamo, J., Moore, L.E., & Albanes, D. (2009). Fish, vitamin D, and flavonoids in relation to renal cell cancer among smokers. Am J Epidemiol, 170(6), pp. 717-729. United States. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwp178

  • Thomas, D.C., Baurley, J.W., Brown, E.E., Figueiredo, J.C., Goldstein, A., Hazra, A., Wilson, R.T., Rothman, N., & Research, A.A.f.C. (2008). Approaches to complex pathways in molecular epidemiology: summary of a special conference of the American Association for Cancer Research. Cancer Res, 68(24), pp. 10028-10030. United States. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-08-1690

  • Roff, A. & Wilson, R.T. (2008). A novel SNP in a vitamin D response element of the CYP24A1 promoter reduces protein binding, transactivation, and gene expression. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 112(1-3), pp. 47-54. England. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2008.08.009

  • Wiggins, C.L., Espey, D.K., Wingo, P.A., Kaur, J.S., Wilson, R.T., Swan, J., Miller, B.A., Jim, M.A., Kelly, J.J., & Lanier, A.P. (2008). Cancer among American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States, 1999-2004. Cancer, 113(5 Suppl), pp. 1142-1152. United States. doi: 10.1002/cncr.23734

  • Wilson, R.T., Richardson, L.C., Kelly, J.J., Kaur, J., Jim, M.A., & Lanier, A.P. (2008). Cancers of the urinary tract among American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States, 1999-2004. Cancer, 113(5 Suppl), pp. 1213-1224. United States. doi: 10.1002/cncr.23733

  • Wilson, R.T., Donahue, M., Gridley, G., Adami, J., Ghormli, L.E.l., & Dosemeci, M. (2008). Shared occupational risks for transitional cell cancer of the bladder and renal pelvis among men and women in Sweden. Am J Ind Med, 51(2), pp. 83-99. United States. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20522

  • Karami, S., Brennan, P., Hung, R.J., Boffetta, P., Toro, J., Wilson, R.T., Zaridze, D., Navratilova, M., Chatterjee, N., Mates, D., Janout, V., Kollarova, H., Bencko, V., Szeszenia-Dabrowska, N., Holcatova, I., Moukeria, A., Welch, R., Chanock, S., Rothman, N., Chow, W., & Moore, L.E. (2008). Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and renal cancer risk in Central and Eastern Europe. J Toxicol Environ Health A, 71(6), pp. 367-372. England. doi: 10.1080/15287390701798685

  • Wilson, R.T. & Wallace, R.B. (2007). Trends in hip fracture incidence in young and older adults. Am J Public Health, 97(10), pp. 1734-1735. United States. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.117275

  • Wilson, R.T., Adams-Cameron, M., Burhansstipanov, L., Roubidoux, M.A., Cobb, N., Lynch, C.F., & Edwards, B.K. (2007). Disparities in breast cancer treatment among American Indian, Hispanic and non-Hispanic White Women Enrolled in Medicare. J Health Care Poor Underserved, 18(3), pp. 648-664. United States. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2007.0071

  • Wilson, R.T., Chase, G.A., Chrischilles, E.A., & Wallace, R.B. (2006). Hip fracture risk among community-dwelling elderly people in the United States: a prospective study of physical, cognitive, and socioeconomic indicators. Am J Public Health, 96(7), pp. 1210-1218. United States. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.077479

  • Moore, L.E., Wilson, R.T., & Campleman, S.L. (2005). Lifestyle factors, exposures, genetic susceptibility, and renal cell cancer risk: a review. Cancer Invest, 23(3), pp. 240-255. England. doi: 10.1081/cnv-200055962

  • Wilson, R.T., Moore, L.E., & Dosemeci, M. (2004). Occupational exposures and salivary gland cancer mortality among African American and white workers in the United States. J Occup Environ Med, 46(3), pp. 287-297. United States. doi: 10.1097/01.jom.0000116802.01928.83

  • Doebbeling, B.N., Wyant, D.K., McCoy, K.D., Riggs, S., Woolson, R.F., Wagner, D., Wilson, R.T., & Lynch, C.F. (1999). Linked insurance-tumor registry database for health services research. Med Care, 37(11), pp. 1105-1115. United States. doi: 10.1097/00005650-199911000-00003

  • Rogers, A. & Wilson, R.T. (1996). Representing structural change in US migration patterns. Geographical Analysis, 28(1), pp. 1-17. doi: 10.1111/j.1538-4632.1996.tb00918.x

  • Rogers, A. & Wilson, R.T. (1996). Representing structural change in U.S. migration patterns. Geographical Analysis, 28(1).