Evan R. Williams

Evan R. Williams is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, with affiliations to the Molecular Biophysics & Integrated Bioimaging Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the QB3/Chemistry Mass Spectrometry Center. He leads a research group focused on advancing mass spectrometry and related computational techniques to study biomolecular systems.

• B.S.: University of Virginia (1984)
• Ph.D.: Cornell University (1990)

Williams' research spans the development and application of novel instrumental and computational methods in mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, separations, and laser spectroscopy. His work addresses fundamental and practical challenges in chemistry and biochemistry, particularly in probing biomolecular structures, noncovalent complexes, and ion solvation dynamics.

Key projects include extending the mass range of charge detection mass spectrometers by seven orders of magnitude, innovating ionization methods for analyzing large nanoparticles, and studying protein aggregation mechanisms linked to neurodegenerative diseases. His team also explores spatially resolved mass spectrometry sampling with infrared microscopy for micron-scale chemical analysis of cells and tissues.

Scientific Awards:

• National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (1989–1991)
• National Science Foundation Young Investigator Award (1992)
• Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation Young Investigator (1992)
• Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh Award (1992)
• Exxon Education Foundation Research Award (1993)
• American Society for Mass Spectrometry Research Award (1994)
• Alexander von Humboldt Senior Scientist Award (1999)
• Amgen Faculty Award (2004)
• Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2012)
• Ron Hites Award (2014)
• Theophilus Redwood Award (2014)
• Field and Franklin Award (2014)
• John B. Fenn Distinguished Contributions Award (2022)

Williams served as Associate Editor of Analyst (2011–2022) and Associate Director of the Center for Analytical Biotechnology at UC Berkeley (2000–2015). His lab utilizes state-of-the-art mass spectrometers and lasers to investigate chemical and biophysical phenomena.