Dr. David Williams

Biography

David Williams, M.D., is an internationally renowned researcher in the field of blood stem cell biology, with particular focus on leukemia and gene therapy to correct genetic blood disorders. He leads the Williams Lab, which investigates the biology of hematopoietic stem cells, analyzing the functions of members of the Rho GTPase family. His research has demonstrated that Rac GTPases are key regulators of the engraftment and mobilization functions of these stem cells. His basic studies contribute to translational research efforts, using hematopoietic stem cells to target gene therapy manipulations that are expected to lead to the development of effective therapies for patients. He is the Leland Fikes Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and serves as Chief of Hematology/Oncology at Boston Children's Hospital, where he also holds the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer. Over his career, Williams has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to research, including the E. Mead Johnson Award for Research in Pediatrics and the Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy for his work in gene therapy. He has mentored 40 post-doctoral fellows, many of whom have continued their careers in academic laboratories or moved into the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

Research Interests