Susan Williams

Susan Williams is a Professor of Anatomy and Associate Dean of Faculty at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM), where she leads the Williams Lab in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. She is also affiliated with the Ohio Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Studies (OCEES) and the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute, and serves as graduate faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences Biological Sciences Graduate Program.

• PhD, Duke University, 2004
• Promoted to Professor, Ohio University, 2012
• Active Principal Investigator with continuous funding from NSF and NIH

Dr. Williams' research lies at the intersection of anatomy, functional morphology, physiology, and biomechanics, focusing on the motor control and sensorimotor integration underlying mammalian feeding and swallowing. Her lab investigates how complex behaviors like chewing, lapping, and swallowing are coordinated across more than 30 pairs of head and neck muscles, with particular interest in the development of mastication, the dynamics of soft tissues like the tongue, and the evolution of the hyoid apparatus. Her work employs cutting-edge methodologies such as XROMM, electromyography, and microCT imaging to study both evolutionary patterns and clinical implications, including oropharyngeal dysphagia in infants and lingual nerve injury.

Her recent publications focus on the biomechanics of feeding, with a highlighted 2024 paper on tongue function in skunks, reflecting her lab's use of diverse animal models to uncover fundamental principles of oral motor control. The research consistently integrates comparative and clinical perspectives to address both evolutionary questions and rehabilitation strategies.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2022)
• Presidential Research Scholar, Ohio University (2020)
• Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award (2020)
• Outstanding Honors Tutorial Thesis Mentor Award (2019, 2020)

Dr. Williams is a dedicated mentor and active researcher, serving on the NIH Motor Function, Speech, and Rehabilitation Study Section. Her lab is supported by multiple grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, including projects on hyoid biomechanics, development of mastication, and the effects of lingual nerve injuries. She has advised numerous students, including PhD candidates like Jacob George and Ani Smith, and has successfully mentored MS theses such as Hannah Baker's.

The Williams Lab is a collaborative, interdisciplinary team utilizing XROMM technology and experimental physiology to study feeding across species and developmental stages. The lab collaborates with experts such as Dr. Callum Ross, Dr. Zhe-Xi Luo, Dr. Rachel Olson, and Dr. Donna Scarborough, and maintains strong ties with Miami University and other institutions.