Kevin Williams, Ph.D. - Faculty Profile

Biography

Kevin Williams, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a member of the Center for Hypothalamic Research. His lab examines the role of neural circuits and signaling mechanisms in controlling feeding behavior, energy expenditure, and glucose metabolism.

Dr. Williams holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Texas at Dallas, where he graduated cum laude. He earned his doctorate in neuroscience at Tulane University in Louisiana, followed by postdoctoral fellowship training in hypothalamic research at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Dr. Williams joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2009.

Education

Undergraduate: University of Texas at Dallas (1999), Biology
Graduate School: Tulane University of Louisiana (2006), Cognition and Neuroscience

Research Interest

Central Autonomic Control
Diabetes and Glucose Homeostasis
Electrophysiology
Exercise
Neurophysiology
Obesity and Body Weight Homeostasis
Synaptic Transmission

Publications

A key role for parabrachial nucleus CGRP neurons in FGF1-Induced anorexia: Scarlett JM, Hwang E, Richardson NE, Bryan CL, Redford I, Quah E, Odderson ET, Choi PP, Hwang MK, Phan BA, Kadlec K, Alonge KM, Morton GJ, Williams KW, Schwartz MW Molecular Metabolism 2025 Jun 96
NMDA Receptors in POMC Neurons Connect Exercise With Insulin Sensitivity: Portillo B, Hwang E, Ajwani J, Grose K, Lieu L, Wallace B, Kabahizi A, Elmquist JK, Williams KW Diabetes 2024 Dec 73 1942-1951
Upregulation of Xbp1 in NPY/AgRP neurons reverses diet-induced obesity and ameliorates leptin and insulin resistance: Ajwani J, Hwang E, Portillo B, Lieu L, Wallace B, Kabahizi A, He Z, Dong Y, Grose K, Williams KW Neuropeptides 2024 Dec 108
Loss of transient receptor potential channel 5 causes obesity and postpartum depression: Li Y, Cacciottolo TM, Yin N, He Y, Liu H, Liu H, Yang Y, Henning E, Keogh JM, Lawler K, Mendes de Oliveira E, Gardner EJ, Kentistou KA, Laouris P, Bounds R, Ong KK, Perry JR, Barroso I, Tu L, Bean JC, Yu M, Conde KM, Wang M, Ginnard O, Fang X, Tong L, Han J, Darwich T, Williams KW, Yang Y, Wang C, Joss S, Firth HV, Xu Y, Farooqi IS Cell 2024 Aug 187 4176-4192.e17
GLP-1 increases preingestive satiation via hypothalamic circuits in mice and humans: Kim KS, Park JS, Hwang E, Park MJ, Shin HY, Lee YH, Kim KM, Gautron L, Godschall E, Portillo B, Grose K, Jung SH, Baek SL, Yun YH, Lee D, Kim E, Ajwani J, Yoo SH, Güler AD, Williams KW, Choi HJ Science (New York, N.Y.) 2024 Jul 385 438-446
GLP-1-directed NMDA receptor antagonism for obesity treatment: Petersen J, Ludwig MQ, Juozaityte V, Ranea-Robles P, Svendsen C, Hwang E, Kristensen AW, Fadahunsi N, Lund J, Breum AW, Mathiesen CV, Sachs L, Moreno-Justicia R, Rohlfs R, Ford JC, Douros JD, Finan B, Portillo B, Grose K, Petersen JE, Trauelsen M, Feuchtinger A, DiMarchi RD, Schwartz TW, Deshmukh AS, Thomsen MB, Kohlmeier KA, Williams KW, Pers TH, Frølund B, Strømgaard K, Klein AB, Clemmensen C Nature 2024 May 629 1133-1141
Identification of AgRP cells in the murine hindbrain that drive feeding: Bachor TP, Hwang E, Yulyaningsih E, Attal K, Mifsud F, Pham V, Vagena E, Huarcaya R, Valdearcos M, Vaisse C, Williams KW, Emmerson PJ, Xu AW Molecular Metabolism 2024 Feb 80
Leptin-related disorders of the nervous system: Saez-Calveras N, Ishii M, Elmquist JK, Williams KW 2024 Jan 1 451-472
Exercise-induced hypothalamic neuroplasticity: Implications for energy and glucose metabolism: Hwang E, Portillo B, Grose K, Fujikawa T, Williams KW Molecular Metabolism 2023 Jul 73
Sustained inhibition of NPY/AgRP neuronal activity by FGF1: Hwang E, Scarlett JM, Baquero AF, Bennett CM, Dong Y, Chau D, Brown JM, Mercer AJ, Meek TH, Grove KL, Phan BA, Morton GJ, Williams KW, Schwartz MW JCI Insight 2022 Sep 7

Honors & Awards

Timothy J. Bartness Award
This endowed award honors Dr. Timothy J. Bartness who was a Regent's Professor of Biology at Georgia State University and an eminent researcher of the neural control of adipose tissue, obesity and ingestive behaviour. He was a past-president of Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (2008-2009) and an ardent champion of early career investigators. In keeping with his tireless advocacy for junior scientists and dedication to mentorship, this award is given for the best oral presentation at the annual meeting by a junior faculty member. Members of SSIB. (2019-2019)
The Novo Nordisk Helmholz Young Investigator Diabetes Award (HeIdi Award) Nominee
This high impact conference brings together international top leaders in the field of diabetes to facilitate the identification of, and potential solutions to, the preeminent scientific challenges facing the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. The conference features a focus on the brain in control of metabolism, and two award presentations: the Helmholtz Diabetes Lecture, in recognition of the lifetime achievements of a senior leader in the field, and the Novo Nordisk - Helmholtz Young Investigator in Diabetes (HeIDi) Award, in recognition of a rising star. (2015-2015)
Mentored Research Scientist Development Award
NIH-NIDDK (087780) (2010)
Post-Doctoral Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award
NIH-NIDDK (DK077487) (2006)
Senior Vice President's award for excellence in research and presentation by a graduate student
Tulane University - research days (2004)
A.S. awarded with magna cum laude
Collin County Community College (1997)
UTD Redman scholars program recipient
Redman Foundation Scholarship (1997)

Professional Associations/Affiliations

American Diabetes Association (2012)
American Heart Association (2012)
Experimental Biology (2021)
Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (2017)
The Endocrine Society (2011)
The Obesity Society (2012)
The Society for Neuroscience (2002)