Michael W. Williams

Dr. Michael W. Williams is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Houston, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. He directs the Measurement and Intervention for Neuropsychological Disorders (MIND) Laboratory. His academic credentials include a B.S. from Morehouse College, M.A. and Ph.D. from Wayne State University, and clinical training at the University of Washington and Johns Hopkins University.

• Education: B.S. in Psychology (Morehouse College), Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology (Wayne State University)
• Professional Activities: Member of Houston Neuropsychological Society, APA Division 22, and editorial roles at Clinical Psychological Science and JINS.

Research focuses on optimizing medical rehabilitation outcomes following brain injury, with emphasis on neuropsychological correlates of functional recovery (e.g., cognition, mood, pain). Key interests include identifying intervention targets to enhance independence and return-to-work outcomes.

Publications highlight topics such as pain anxiety in brain injury rehabilitation, cognitive clustering patterns and employment, and validation of depression screening tools post-stroke. Recent work addresses opioid misuse in chronic pain patients and long-term TBI cohort follow-up challenges.

• Key Awards: Center for Large Data Research Travel Award (2019)
• Teaching: PSYC 4397 (Undergraduate Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation), PSYC 6357 (Graduate Clinical Assessment II)

Current research initiatives explore disparities in pain treatment among TBI patients and prognostication of severe TBI outcomes through interdisciplinary collaboration.