Dr. Hwang’s research is focused on statistical methods for early-phase oncology trials; analysis of survival, longitudinal and spatial data; and the discovery and evaluation of cancer biomarkers. She has extensive experience in the applications of clinical and translational cancer research including psychosocial and environmental health research on cancer. One of Dr. Hwang's main research efforts has been devoted to the development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy. As the leading statistical investigator in the cellular therapy program at Penn, Dr. Hwang was the trial statistician for many early-phase CAR trials including the ones that led to the first FDA-approved cell-based therapy, Kymriah. Dr. Hwang has also provided a leadership role in several institutional Biostatistics Cores including multiple P01s, SPORE, and the P42 Penn Superfund Research (SRP) Center. In addition, she is the Associate Director of Biostatistics for Penn's Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology (CEET) and has led several population science projects that evaluate the environmental exposomes and lung cancer outcomes in the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) catchment area. She is a member of ACC's clinical trials scientific review and monitoring committee and ACC's Biostatistics Core. She is also a co-PI on a NIH-funded U01 award that focused on the analytical validation of a biomarker of Friedreich’s Ataxia.    

Dr. Hwang has been recognized for her statistical contribution by many peer-reviewed publications and appointments to several national and international committees. She is an elected fellow of American Statistical Association (ASA).