Jennie Williams Research Lab

Jennie Williams, PhD

Jennie Williams, PhD

  • Associate Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Stony Brook Cancer Center
  • Assistant Dean for Student Diversity and Aligned Pre-Doctoral Programs, Renaissance School of Medicine
  • Associate Professor, Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine
  • Associate Professor, Graduate Program in Genetics, Stony Brook University

My Lab

Office: (631) 444-9539

Email: jennie.williams@stonybrookmedicine.edu

Stony Brook Medicine
Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine
HSC, T-17 room 080
101 Nicolls Road
Stony Brook, NY 11794-8175

Research Program

Department

Research Interest

Dr. Williams is a cancer researcher whose career reflects a deep commitment to advancing equity in biomedical science. She earned her BS from Savannah State University, MS from Tuskegee University and PhD from Purdue University, followed by postdoctoral training at Harvard University. Her journey into cancer research began at the Institute for Cancer Prevention in Valhalla, NY. She later joined Stony Brook University, where she rose through the ranks to become a tenured Associate Professor. Dr. Williams’s early investigations centered on the efficacy of standard and novel chemotherapeutic agents, with a particular focus on NSAID derivatives in colon cancer. Her team examined the role of transcription factors such as NF-κB in cancer progression, contributing to the understanding of molecular pathways that drive tumor development. Presently, Dr. Williams leads pioneering research into racial disparities in cancer outcomes. Her lab explores:

  • Genetic mutations linked to cancer susceptibility
  • DNA methylation patterns influencing gene regulation
  • Microbiome profiles and their impact on tumor biology
  • miRNA dysregulation in cancer progression

Motivated by the underrepresentation of African American models in cancer research, Dr. Williams’s group develops diverse experimental systems which includes 2D cell lines, 3D organoids, and patient-derived xenografts. These studies aim to advance personalized medicine and reduce inequities in cancer care.

Education

  • BS, Savannah State University
  • MS, Tuskegee University
  • PhD, Purdue University

Publications

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