Michelle Williams was appointed Stephen B. Kay Family Professor of Public Health and Chair of Epidemiology, School of Public Health at Harvard University on August 1 2012

Previously a professor of epidemiology and global health at the University of Washington School of Public Health, Williams has a longstanding relationship with the HSPH Department of Epidemiology, from which she received her doctorate in 1991. She has published more than 230 scientific articles and has received numerous research and teaching awards, including the American Public Health Association's Abraham Lilienfeld Award. In 2011, President Barack Obama presented Williams with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring.

Her research interests lie principally, but not exclusively, in the field of reproductive and perinatal epidemiology. She spent the last two decades focused on integrating epidemiological, biological and molecular approaches into rigorously designed clinical epidemiology research projects that has led to greater understandings of the etiology and pathophysiology of placental abruption, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. her research programs were developed through (1) identifying gaps in the literature; (2) constructing methodologically rigorous, versatile and robust epidemiological data capture systems and networks (epidemiology platforms) in North America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and South America; and (3) proactively and strategically integrating biochemical and molecular biomarkers onto that epidemiology platform. She has fully exploited the arsenal of epidemiology study designs (case-control, self-matched case-crossover, and prospective cohort studies) to answer important questions concerning the etiology and pathophysiology of a relatively broad spectrum of adverse reproductive and perinatal outcomes.