Professor Dr. John Williams

Biography

John Williams is a tenured professor and the Department Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He holds the John E. Jr. Louise Gonce Chair and focuses on pediatric infectious diseases. Williams is an internationally recognized authority on the epidemiology, immunity, and pathogenesis of respiratory viruses, which are leading causes of death in children under five years old and major causes of disease in immunocompromised patients, including transplant recipients. His research primarily revolves around human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which he discovered in 2001. Williams aims to elucidate the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and understand the contributions of host immune responses, guiding the development of interventions for this important human pathogen. His research group conducts collaborative studies on the epidemiology of HMPV and other respiratory viruses at various international sites. Williams has authored and co-authored over 200 original research articles, supported by the NIH and CDC.

Research Interests