Michelle Ann Williams

Michelle Williams
Michelle Ann Williams
Chair, Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
In office July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2016
Preceded by	Hans-Olov Adami
Personal details
Born	Kingston, Jamaica
Alma mater	Princeton University Tufts University Harvard University
Website	Official bio

Michelle Ann Williams is the Stephen B. Kay Family Professor of Public Health, and chair of the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.^[1][2]As of July 2016, Williams will be the dean of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. ^[3]

Biography

Williams was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and immigrated to New York with her family at age 7. ^[4] She completed her undergraduate studies at Princeton University, receiving an AB in Biology in 1984. She received an MS in Civil Engineering in 1986 from Tufts University, and two degrees from Harvard University, a SM in Demography and Population Sciences, in 1988, and a ScD in Epidemiology in 1991.^[5]

After a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Washington School of Public Health, she joined the University of Washington faculty as an assistant professor of epidemiology in 1992. She became an associate professor in 1996, and a full professor in 2000.^[3]

She returned to Harvard in 2011, becoming the first Stephen B. Kay Family Professor of Public Health and chair of the Department of Epidemiology.^[1] In addition to contributing to over 400 scientific papers, she is also the faculty director of the Harvard Catalyst’s Population Health Research Program and the Health Disparities Research Program.^[6] On February 19, 2016, Harvard announced that she would become Dean of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, starting July 2016, succeeding Acting Dean David Hunter.^[3]

Honors and recognitions

In 2011 while she was at the University of Washington, Williams received a Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring from the National Science Foundation for her work in developing the Multidisciplinary International Research Training (MIRT) Program, which is designed to encourage underrepresented students to pursue careers in biomedical and behavioral science research careers.^{[7][8][9][10][11]} At the time of the award, she had mentored 23 MD graduates, 28 PhD graduates, and 67 Master's degree graduates, twenty of whom were faculty in institutions of higher learning in the United States and abroad.^[12]

References

1. "Kay Professorship attracts leader in maternal and infant health". Harvard Public Heath. Winter 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
2. "Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health". Retrieved 27 February 2016.
3. "Michelle Williams to lead Harvard Chan School". Harvard Gazette (Harvard University). 19 February 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
4. Freyer, Felice (20 February 2016). "Harvard names new public health school dean". Boston Globe. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
5. "Michelle Williams faculty profile". Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
6. "Research Gate profile for Michelle Williams". ResearchGate. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
7. "Award Abstract #0938297". National Science Foundation. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
8. "Multidisciplinary International Research Training (MIRT)". UW Today (University of Washington). 31 May 2007. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
9. "HSPH MIRT Program". Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
10. "Multidisciplinary International Research Training (MIRT) Program". Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
11. Varner, Lynne (25 January 2011). "The secret is there is no secret". Seattle Times. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
12. Gray, Leila (21 January 2011). "President Obama honors UW epidemiologist Dr. Michelle Williams as one of the nation’s outstanding mentors". UW Today. University of Washington. Retrieved 27 February 2016.