Dr. Ziv Williams boasts a rich and diverse professional experience that spans academia, research, and clinical practice. He has served as an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School since 2014, where he holds joint appointments in the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program and the Program in Neuroscience. Prior to his current position, Dr. Williams completed rigorous training as a resident in Neurosurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, followed by roles as an Instructor and Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery.
Throughout his career, Dr. Williams has been actively involved in cutting-edge research aimed at unraveling the complexities of neural circuitry underlying cognitive functions and behavior. His expertise in single-neuronal recordings, optogenetics, and neuro-modulatory techniques has been instrumental in advancing understanding and treatment of neurological disorders. Dr. Williams’ contributions to neuroscience have been recognized with prestigious awards and honors, underscoring his significant impact on the field and dedication to improving patient care through innovative research and clinical practice.
Research:
Dr. Ziv Williams is renowned for his pioneering research in neuroscience, focusing on the neural mechanisms that underpin complex behaviors such as social cognition and language processing. Utilizing advanced techniques like single-neuronal recordings and optogenetics, his work aims to elucidate how neural circuits encode and influence behavior, with implications for treating neurological disorders.
His research contributions have been published in high-impact journals and have garnered widespread acclaim, including awards such as the Presidential Early Career Award (PECASE) and recognition at the Falling Walls Science Summit. Dr. Williams’ innovative approach bridges basic science with clinical applications, positioning him as a leader in advancing neuroscientific understanding and therapeutic interventions. His commitment to excellence in research and its translation into clinical practice underscores his impact and influence in the field of neuroscience.
Publications:
Dr. Williams’ contributions to scientific literature are extensive and impactful. His research publications include:
- Jamali M, Grannan BL, Fedorenko E, Saxe R, Báez-Mendoza R, Williams Z. Single-neuronal predictions of others’ beliefs in humans. Nature. 2021;591:610–614.
- Báez-Mendoza R, Mastrobattista EP, Wang AJ, Williams Z. Social agent identity cells in the prefrontal cortex of interacting groups of primates. Science. 2021;374:6566.
- Li SW, Zeliger O, Strahs L, Báez-Mendoza R, Johnson LM, McDonald Wojciechowski A, Williams Z. Frontal neurons driving competitive behaviour and ecology of social groups. Nature. 2022;603(7902):661-666.
- Khanna AR, Muñoz W, Kim YJ, Kfir Y, Paulk AC, Jamali M, Cai J, Mustroph ML, Caprara I, Hardstone R, Mejdell M, Meszéna D, Zuckerman A, Schweitzer J, Cash S, Williams Z. Single-neuronal elements of speech production in humans. Nature. 2024;626(7999):603-610.