Michelle A. Williams, ScD
Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health
Stanford University, School of Medicine

Williams is a renowned epidemiologist, an award-winning educator and a widely recognized academic leader. She is a tenured professor of Epidemiology and Population Health at Stanford University’s School of Medicine. Previously, she served as dean of the faculty at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she also held roles as professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology and program leader of the Population Health and Health Disparities Research Programs at Harvard’s Clinical and Translational Sciences Center. Her book, “The Cure for Everything: The Epic Struggle for Public Health and a Radical Vision for Human Thriving,” was published by Penguin Random House on February 3, 2026.

Williams’ research places special emphasis in the areas of reproductive, perinatal, pediatric and molecular epidemiology. She has published more than 560 scientific articles and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2016. In 2020, she was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and recognized by PR Week as one of the top 50 health influencers of the year. Williams has an undergraduate degree in biology and genetics from Princeton University, a master’s in civil engineering from Tufts University and master’s and doctoral degrees in epidemiology from the Harvard Chan School.