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
An HIV-1 gp41 peptide-liposome vaccine elicits neutralizing epitope-targeted antibody responses in healthy individuals.
Journal Article medRxiv · August 22, 2025 UNLABELLED: Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) that target the HIV gp41 membrane-proximal external region (MPER) have some of the highest neutralization breadth. An MPER peptide-liposome vaccine has been found to expand MPER bnAb precursors in monkeys ... Full text Link to item CiteNeonatal immunity associated with heterologous HIV-1 neutralizing antibody induction in SHIV-infected Rhesus Macaques.
Journal Article Nat Commun · November 27, 2024 The details of the pediatric immune system that supports induction of antibodies capable of neutralizing geographically-diverse or heterologous HIV-1 is currently unclear. Here we explore the pediatric immune environment in neonatal macaque undergoing Simi ... Full text Link to item CiteImmunization with germ line-targeting SOSIP trimers elicits broadly neutralizing antibody precursors in infant macaques.
Journal Article Sci Immunol · August 30, 2024 Adolescents are a growing population of people living with HIV. The period between weaning and sexual debut presents a low-risk window for HIV acquisition, making early childhood an ideal time for implementing an immunization regimen. Because the elicitati ... Full text Link to item 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.