This transfer was a pivotal shift for Williams’ burgeoning profession in navy medical analysis.
Earlier than becoming a member of the navy or NMRC, Williams cultivated a physique of expertise in medical science. A local of Endicott, New York, he attended school on the State College of New York at Buffalo. After incomes a bachelor’s diploma in biomedical science and a grasp’s diploma in train science, he obtained a doctorate in physiology and biophysics. Williams additionally taught as an adjunct professor for graduate, undergraduate, and medical faculty postbaccalaureate packages.
The chance to work at NMRC offered itself within the fall of 2017, whereas Williams was looking for a postdoctoral fellowship. Desirous to get his foot within the door with navy analysis, Williams left his instructing place at Buffalo and got here to Silver Spring, Maryland to start work at NMRC’s Operational and Undersea Drugs Directorate (OUMD). There, he researched a variety of areas salient to undersea medication, together with decompression illness, disabled submarine rescue, and mountain warfare related hypoxia.
On the time, Williams was working as a contractor for the Henry M. Jackson Basis for the Development of Army Drugs. He wished to take an extra step into the world of navy medical analysis.
“I labored with a number of NMRC analysis physiologists – [Lt.] Geoffrey Ciarlone and [Lt. Cmdr.] Joshua Swift. Each have been excellent mentors in an already a fantastic analysis group,” stated Williams. “I noticed the affect their work had, and I assumed: That’s precisely the job I need to be doing, and the kind of individuals I need to work with.”
In early 2019, Williams submitted a bundle in hopes of commissioning as a naval officer and analysis physiologist. As soon as accepted, he entered the Navy’s Medical Service Corps as a lieutenant and left in September of the identical yr to attend a five-week course at Officer Coaching Command, Newport, Rhode Island.
Williams cites his father, a Vietnam Conflict veteran and Navy reservist, as one inspiration for becoming a member of the Navy.
“I come from an extended lineage of U.S. navy service going again 80 years; to incorporate grandparents, uncles and my father. Rising up I noticed my father serving within the Navy and I knew if I ever had the chance, that may be my department of selection.”
Following coaching, Williams’ profession got here full circle when he returned to NMRC to proceed work with OUMD, this time in uniform.
“It’s fairly distinctive,” Williams stated, relating to his return. “I’ve met many people at NMRC who have been prior navy, separated or retired, after which got here again to NMRC to work as a civilian; I really feel like I’m one of many solely individuals I do know who did the alternative: left a contractor, and got here again as navy.”
Williams discovered work at NMRC as a naval officer to be an virtually utterly totally different job than it had been as a contractor. Along with the expectations of his analysis work, he now bore the obligations that include serving.
“As a [research] contractor, you’re a scientists at the start,” recalled Williams. “Coming again in uniform, you’re a naval officer first. Your secondary work is precisely that, secondary. You’re anticipated and required to be an excellent scientist, and now you will have a number of further obligations and duties every day.”
Energetic-duty standing got here with alternatives for immersion into the undersea surroundings. In 2021, Williams went underway aboard the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Alaska (SSBN 732), to realize first-hand expertise.
“Seeing how the work we do may have an effect on the warfighter put a really totally different perspective on our analysis mission. 99% of the time our work goes to have an effect on one other fellow service member, and there’s at all times the likelihood that sooner or later the work and analysis you do might have an effect on you. It places a face and a brand new perspective on the work.”
In March of 2020, a lot of the nation shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. NMRC’s mission grew and alongside fellow analysis personnel, Williams assisted the command’s Naval Infectious Illnesses Diagnostic Laboratory in testing of COVID-19 samples, work that continued for a number of months.
“This was considered one of my first alternatives to see the distinction between being a civilian scientist versus a uniformed scientist; the mission modified, priorities shifted. It actually enhanced my perspective that your job as a naval officer is to fulfill the mission, no matter that mission may be, and regardless of how typically that mission modifications.”
For Williams, these modifications in focus are all nonetheless a part of the larger pursuit of medical analysis. As deputy division head for undersea medication at OUMD, he has had the chance to analysis the distinctive medical wants of the Navy’s undersea warfighters, to incorporate undersea divers and submarine crew members.
Williams is departing NMRC this fall to function deputy division head for biomedical analysis of the Navy Experimental Diving Unit in Panama Metropolis Seashore, Florida.
“I’m trying ahead to the brand new and difficult surroundings. It’s an operational command, so a bit totally different from NMRC and a fantastic alternative to come back right into a division as a part of management.”
Whereas NMRC will miss having Williams on employees, his contributions to NMRC have been a fantastic credit score to him, and to Navy Drugs at massive. Williams himself expressed pleasure on the future accomplishments OUMD has forward of it.
NMRC is engaged in a broad spectrum of exercise from fundamental science within the laboratory to subject research in austere and distant areas of the world to investigations in operational environments. In help of the Navy, Marine Corps, and joint U.S. warfighters, researchers research infectious illnesses, organic warfare detection and protection, fight casualty care, environmental well being issues, aerospace and undersea medication, medical modeling, simulation, operational mission help, epidemiology, and behavioral sciences.
