Mark Williams

Mark Williams serves as Dean and Joycelyn Elders Professor in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), providing leadership for the College's teaching, research, and service missions to improve Arkansans' health.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in English from the University of Iowa
• M.A. in Political Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• B.A. in Political Science from the University of Iowa

Dr. Williams' research spans over 30 years with 200+ publications focused on behavioral epidemiology, disease prevention, and health promotion in underserved populations. His seminal work examines HIV transmission among injection drug users, disease dynamics in social networks, and prevention of blood-borne/sexually transmitted pathogens. Current research addresses pandemic-related behavioral health through rigorous epidemiological methods.

Analysis of his 2022-2023 publications reveals a concentrated focus on COVID-19 health disparities, with recurring themes of vaccine hesitancy, racial inequities, and mental health impacts. His work consistently employs interdisciplinary approaches bridging public health, social epidemiology, and behavioral science to address systemic health challenges in Arkansas and beyond.

His distinguished honors include:

• 2014 Featured Alumnus, Nebraska Magazine
• 2013 MHA Guide 100 Great Health Administration Professors and Leaders
• 2013 Florida International University Top Scholars
• 2019 Joycelyn Elders Endowed Chair in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
• 2024 Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society induction

As Dean, Dr. Williams oversees all academic and research operations while teaching research design, scientific writing, and sexually transmitted disease prevention. His leadership emphasizes translating research into community health improvements, particularly for minority and underserved populations across Arkansas.