Joel M. Palefsky

Dr. Joel Palefsky is an expert in infectious diseases and cancers associated with these diseases. He is an internationally recognized expert on the biology, treatment, progression and history of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections of the anus and genitals, particularly in the setting of HIV infection. He directs the UCSF Anal Neoplasia Clinic, Research and Education (ANCRE) Center, the world's first clinic devoted to anal cancer prevention.

Palefsky's research focuses on the biology and treatment of anal cancer. He is vice chair of the AIDS Malignancy Consortium, a research group supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that investigates new treatments for AIDS-related cancers, and chair of the Anal Cancer/HSIL Outcomes Research (ANCHOR) Study, a multisite NCI study examining whether treating anal cancer precursor lesions prevents the development of anal cancer and seeking to identify biomarkers of cancer progression.

Palefsky earned his medical degree at McGill University and completed a fellowship in infectious diseases at Stanford University.

Palefsky is founder and past president of the International Anal Neoplasia Society. He is also past president of the International Papillomavirus Society and founder and chairperson of its international campaign for HPV awareness.