Kevin Williams, Ph.D.

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Dr. Williams received his A.S. degree from Collin County Community College in 1997.  Dr. Williams subsequently received his B.S. degree in the study of Biology from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1999. In 2006, he completed his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Tulane University in New Orleans, where he worked with Dr. Bret N. Smith (currently at the University of Kentucky). He joined the Division of Hypothalamic Research in the Department of Internal Medicine here at UT Southwestern, following completion of his postdoctoral studies with Dr. Joel K. Elmquist.  His lab uses mouse genetics, electrophysiology, and systems neuroscience approaches to study the cellular mechanisms within the brain which may underlie the coordinated control of food intake, body weight, and glucose homeostasis.

Undergraduate

University of Texas at Dallas (1999), Biology

Graduate School

Tulane University of Louisiana (2006), Cognition and Neuroscience

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

Featured Publications

Cellular and synaptic reorganization of arcuate NPY/AgRP and POMC neurons after exercise.

He Z, Gao Y, Alhadeff AL, Castorena CM, Huang Y, Lieu L, Afrin S, Sun J, Betley JN, Guo H, Williams KW Mol Metab 2018 Sep

Neural Control of Energy Balance: Translating Circuits to Therapies.

Gautron L, Elmquist JK, Williams KW Cell 2015 Mar 161 1 133-145

Xbp1s in Pomc Neurons Connects ER Stress with Energy Balance and Glucose Homeostasis.

Williams KW, Liu T, Kong X, Fukuda M, Deng Y, Berglund ED, Deng Z, Gao Y, Liu T, Sohn JW, Jia L, Fujikawa T, Kohno D, Scott MM, Lee S, Lee CE, Sun K, Chang Y, Scherer PE, Elmquist JK Cell Metab. 2014 Jul

Melanocortin 4 receptors reciprocally regulate sympathetic and parasympathetic preganglionic neurons.

Sohn JW, Harris LE, Berglund ED, Liu T, Vong L, Lowell BB, Balthasar N, Williams KW, Elmquist JK Cell 2013 Jan 152 3 612-9

From neuroanatomy to behavior: central integration of peripheral signals regulating feeding behavior.

Williams KW, Elmquist JK Nat. Neurosci. 2012 Oct 15 10 1350-5

Serotonin 2C receptor activates a distinct population of arcuate pro-opiomelanocortin neurons via TRPC channels.

Sohn JW, Xu Y, Jones JE, Wickman K, Williams KW, Elmquist JK Neuron 2011 Aug 71 3 488-97

Segregation of acute leptin and insulin effects in distinct populations of arcuate proopiomelanocortin neurons

Williams KW, Margatho LO, Lee CE, Choi M, Lee S, Scott MM, Elias CF, Elmquist JK J Neurosci February 2010 30(7) 2472-9

Acute effects of leptin require PI3K signaling in hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin neurons in mice

Hill JW, Williams KW, Ye C, Luo J, Balthasar N, Coppari R, Cowley MA, Cantley LC, Lowell BB, Elmquist JK. J Clin Invest May 2008 118(5) 1796-805

Acute effects of zinc and insulin on arcuate anorexigenic proopiomelanocortin neurons.

He Z, Gao Y, Lieu L, Afrin S, Guo H, Williams KW Br. J. Pharmacol. 2018 Dec

Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Is Integral for the Acute Activity of Leptin and Insulin in Male Arcuate NPY/AgRP Neurons.

Huang Y, He Z, Gao Y, Lieu L, Yao T, Sun J, Liu T, Javadi C, Box M, Afrin S, Guo H, Williams KW J Endocr Soc 2018 Jun 2 6 518-532

• 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)
• B.S. awarded with cum laude
  The University of Texas at Dallas (1999)
• A.S. awarded with magna cum laude
  Collin County Community College (1997)
• UTD Redman scholars program recipient
  Redman Foundation Scholarship (1997)

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