Paul Williams
Retiree Affiliate
Research Interests
Paul Williams’ expertise is in epidemiologic studies and analysis, including infectious disease. Recent studies have focused on striking a balance to maximize the health benefits of walking or running. Some press releases and science shorts can be seen here:
Excessive Running or Walking May Eliminate Health Gains in Heart Attack Survivors, Finds Berkeley Lab Research (August 12, 2014)
Running May Be Better Than Walking for Breast Cancer Survival (January 28, 2014)
Running, Even in Excess, Doesn’t Lead to More Osteoarthritis and Hip Replacements (February 28, 2013)
Recent Publications
Related News
It’s All Connected: Your Genes, Your Environment, and Your Health
Statistician Paul Williams, a staff scientist in the Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging (MBIB) Division, specializes in investigating the instances where genetics and environment are most closely intertwined. His work focuses on a phenomenon called “quantile-dependent expressivity,” which describes the relationship between the genes that predispose people to certain traits that can be amplified by behavior and environmental factors.
The Biology Behind Your Love (or Hatred) of Coffee
New research by Paul Williams, staff scientist in the Molecular Biophysics & Integrated Bioimaging Division, suggests that our intake of coffee is affected by a positive feedback loop between genetics and the environment. This phenomenon, known as “quantile-specific heritability,” is also associated with cholesterol levels and body weight, and is thought to play a role in other human physiological and behavioral traits that defy simple explanation.
