Dr Hilton has made several seminal discoveries toward understanding molecular genetic regulation of blood cell formation. He purified the cytokine Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) showing it to suppress the differentiation of embryonic stem cells, resulting in LIF's use in the production of genetically modified mice. He also discovered a novel family of proteins, the suppressors of cytokine signalling, and in doing so, spawned an entirely new field of research concerned with the attenuation of signal transduction. Dr Hilton is one of the scientists of his generation, a wonderful ambassador for the Australian research community and would make a first-class academician.