Diabetes Spotlight: Kevin Williams, PhD—Mapping the Neural Networks of Metabolic Systems

Kevin Williams grew up in a household where he constantly learned the inner workings of everyday objects. “My father was an engineer and always tinkering,” he says. “He rebuilt TVs and radios. With my mother’s encouragement, we’d visit hardware stores then come home and build computers.” For his first car, Williams’ parents bought him an 1982 Pontiac Grand Prix—but it needed an engine rebuild. “I spent a lot of time with my father learning how to do that, and it took a lot longer than expected, but it gave me an understanding of how complex systems work,” he says. “Believe it or not, I think these foundational experiences have directly led to my current research interests and career.”