Bart Williams

Dr. Bart Williams is a Professor and Director of Core Technologies and Services at Van Andel Institute. His work focuses on Wnt signaling pathways in skeletal development, bone diseases, and cancer. He holds a Ph.D. in Biology from MIT (1996) and conducted postdoctoral research at the NIH under Harold Varmus. As a leader in bone biology, he has pioneered studies on Wnt signaling’s role in osteoporosis, cancer metastasis, and genetic disorders like Robinow syndrome. His research bridges developmental biology and oncology, with a focus on developing therapeutic strategies for skeletal metastases and genetic syndromes.

Key roles include serving as Chair of the Department of Cell Biology (2010–2022) and Director of Core Technologies since 2022. He has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, emphasizing mentorship and translational research. His lab, the Williams Laboratory, employs genetically engineered mouse models to dissect Wnt signaling mechanisms, contributing to over 120 peer-reviewed papers and collaborations with institutions globally.

Research interests span Wnt signaling in bone formation, cancer progression, and developmental disorders. Notable achievements include identifying roles for Lrp5 and Lrp6 in bone mass regulation and developing novel mouse models for skeletal diseases. Awards include the 2019 Excellence in Graduate Education award from Van Andel Institute Graduate School.

Recent work highlights therapeutic interventions in congenital malformations and osteoporosis, with studies published in Bone Research, Development, and Journal of Clinical Investigation. Ongoing projects explore Wnt signaling’s intersection with metabolic pathways and its potential as a therapeutic target in cancer and bone disorders.