Michael Williams

Michael Williams is an Assistant Professor at the College of Human Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics and Human Development at Michigan State University. His research focuses on the roles of autism spectrum disorder candidate genes in neuronal development.

• Specializes in understanding how mutations in these genes contribute to autism, intellectual disability, and epilepsy
• Uses viral and transgenic animal models to study gene function in vivo
• Applies biochemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral assays in downstream analysis

His work emphasizes the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in neuronal migration, morphology, and synaptogenesis. Dr. Williams collaborates on neurodevelopmental disorder research and offers expertise in creating novel plasmid, viral, and animal models.

Key research themes include:

• Autism-linked gene mutations
• Synaptic dysfunction mechanisms
• Viral vector-based gene manipulation
• Translational neuroscience approaches

Publication trends show expertise in:

• CRISPR technology applications
• Potassium channel regulation
• Cerebellar development
• RHOA/RHO-kinase roles in neurons
• Epigenetic impacts of environmental factors