Julie Williams CBE FLSW FMedSci (born 1957) [1] is Professor of Neuropsychological Genetics at Cardiff University and was Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales from 2013 to 2017. She is one of the world's leading contributors to Alzheimer's research. [1]
She was born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, [2] and grew up in Cefn Coed and attended Vaynor and Penderyn Grammar School. [1] She went on to study psychology at Cardiff University. [3]
Williams is Professor of Neuropsychological Genetics and Head of the Neurodegeneration section of the Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics at Cardiff University. [4] She is a former Chief Scientific Adviser to the Alzheimer's Research Trust, and in 2012 was appointed a CBE for her contribution to Alzheimer's research. She is a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales. [5]
Professor Julie Williams was Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales from September 2013 to September 2017, [6] the second person to hold the post. Edwina Hart, Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport, said "She is a great role model for women in science ...Her networks of national and international scientists will be crucial in opening the doors for Wales". [2]
Williams' research aims to identify and characterise genes which confer a risk of developing psychological and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, developmental dyslexia, and schizophrenia. She has received funding from the Wellcome Trust, MRC and the Health Foundation. [7]