Overview
Dr. Williams completed a PhD in Biomedical Sciences (Immunology and Microbiology) from the University of Florida and did his postdoctoral work in the laboratory of Dr. Barton Haynes at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI).
The key goals of HIV vaccine development are to define the host-virus events during natural HIV infection that lead to the induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies, and to recreate those events with a vaccine. As a junior faculty member in the DHVI, Dr. Williams is further characterizing SHIV non-human primate models for HIV infection, and evaluates B cell responses to HIV-1 vaccination in humans and non-human primates.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor in Surgery
·
2021 - Present
Surgery, Surgical Sciences,
Surgery
Assistant Professor in Integrative Immunobiology
·
2021 - Present
Integrative Immunobiology,
Basic Science Departments
Associate Professor of Medicine
·
2021 - Present
Medicine, Duke Human Vaccine Institute,
Medicine
Member of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute
·
2016 - Present
Duke Human Vaccine Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2021 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Functional Convergence of Genetically Diverse B-Cell Receptors in Simian-HIV Infected Rhesus Macaques
Preprint · January 12, 2026 Full text CiteVaccine induction of heterologous HIV-1-neutralizing antibody B cell lineages in humans.
Journal Article Cell · November 13, 2025 Full text Link to item CiteMechanisms of early-life immunity associated with induction of heterologous HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies 9283
Conference The Journal of Immunology · November 1, 2025 Abstract Description A goal of an HIV-1 vaccine is induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) that prevent infection ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Interdisciplinary Research Training Program in AIDS
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2010 - 2030Persistent Immunogenicity of IDLV delivering membrane tethered Native-Like HIV-1 Envelope Trimers
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2025 - 2030Mechanisms of Early-life Immunity Associated with HIV-1 Vaccine-induced Neutralizing Antibody Responses
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
University of Florida ·
2011
Ph.D.