Williams, Mark

Dr Mark Williams

Lecturer in Cell and Molecular Biology
Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Mark Williams graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Immunology and Pharmacology from the University of Strathclyde in 2006, before undertaking a PhD in Immunobiology at Queen’s University of Belfast with Prof Madeleine Ennis and Prof Stuart Elborn. Subsequently, he worked as a research associate at the Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (3Is) at the Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow from 2010 to 2016. It is here where Dr Williams conducted novel studies into Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and Multiple Myeloma with Prof Christina Halsey, Prof Gerry Graham and Prof Carl Goodyear. Subsequently, he worked as a teaching associate and researcher at the Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Strathclyde. During this post Dr Williams started to acquire research independence focussing on Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), and was involved in the design, delivery and assessment of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, and learning activities undertaken by biomedical science students, both at the University of Strathclyde and the China Pharmaceutical University in Nanjing.

In 2017 Dr Williams was appointed as lecturer in Cell and Molecular Biology at Glasgow Caledonian University. He has over 10 years of expertise in researching haematological malignancies, including AML, and has identified new therapeutically targetable disease mechanisms. The Williams lab is focusing on utilising unique in vitro 3D co-culture systems to more accurately model and target bone marrow microenvironment (BMME) mediated chemoresistance mechanisms in AML. On-going studies are focussing on the contribution of fibroblasts and macrophages towards BMME mediated chemoresistance, as well as investigating the role of AML-derived extracellular vesicles in re-educating cellular elements of the BMME in AML. The Williams lab is undertaking collaboration studies with key academic/clinical researchers: Dr Monica L Guzman (Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, USA), Dr Valerie Ferro and Dr Paul Mulheran (University of Strathclyde) and Dr Helen Wheadon & Professor Mhairi Copland (Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, University of Glasgow UK), as well as Biopharmaceutical researchers, Dr Simon T Barry (AstraZeneca, UK) & Dr Daniella Zheleva (Cyclacel, UK). Dr Williams holds affiliate status at the Institute of the Institute of Infection Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow, and is a visiting researcher at the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde. Further details of Dr Williams’ research and publication history can be located within his research profile.