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

Research Interest

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 Molecular Metabolism 2018 Dec 18 107-119
Lztfl1/BBS17 controls energy homeostasis by regulating the leptin signaling in the hypothalamic neurons: Wei Q, Gu YF, Zhang QJ, Yu H, Peng Y, Williams KW, Wang R, Yu K, Liu T, Liu ZP Journal of molecular cell biology 2018 Oct 10 402-410
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 Journal of the Endocrine Society 2018 Jun 2 518-532
Melanocortin neurons: Multiple routes to regulation of metabolism: Shen Wj, Yao T, Kong X, Williams KW, Liu T Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease 2017 Oct 1863 2477-2485
MC4R-dependent suppression of appetite by bone-derived lipocalin 2: Mosialou I, Shikhel S, Liu JM, Maurizi A, Luo N, He Z, Huang Y, Zong H, Friedman RA, Barasch J, Lanzano P, Deng L, Leibel RL, Rubin M, Nicholas T, Chung W, Zeltser LM, Williams KW, Pessin JE, Kousteni S Nature 2017 Mar 543 385-390
Activation of murine pre-proglucagon-producing neurons reduces food intake and body weight: Gaykema RP, Newmyer BA, Ottolini M, Raje V, Warthen DM, Lambeth PS, Niccum M, Yao T, Huang Y, Schulman IG, Harris TE, Patel MK, Williams KW, Scott MM Journal of Clinical Investigation 2017 Mar 127 1031-1045
Ire1a in pomc neurons is required for thermogenesis and glycemia: Yao T, Deng Z, Gao Y, Sun J, Kong X, Huang Y, He Z, Xu Y, Chang Y, Yu KJ, Findley BG, Berglund ED, Wang RT, Guo H, Chen H, Li X, Kaufman RJ, Yan J, Liu T, Williams KW Diabetes 2017 Mar 66 663-673
TrpC5 Mediates Acute Leptin and Serotonin Effects via Pomc Neurons: Gao Y, Yao T, Deng Z, Sohn JW, Sun J, Huang Y, Kong X, Yu Kj, Wang Rt, Chen H, Guo H, Yan J, Cunningham KA, Chang Y, Liu T, Williams KW Cell Reports 2017 Jan 18 583-592
Genetic mouse models: The powerful tools to study fat tissues: Kong X, Williams KW, Liu T 2017 99-107
Adiponectin potentiates the acute effects of leptin in arcuate Pomc neurons: Sun J, Gao Y, Yao T, Huang Y, He Z, Kong X, Yu Kj, Wang Rt, Guo H, Yan J, Chang Y, Chen H, Scherer PE, Liu T, Williams KW Molecular Metabolism 2016 Oct 5 882-891

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