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Division Head and Professor of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, Johnson & Johnson Centennial Chair in Pharmacy, University of Texas

Williams is Professor of Pharmaceutics and the Division Head of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery at the College of Pharmacy, University of Texas. He has co-founded several pharmaceutical companies, and pioneered drug delivery research for the development of novel drug delivery systems and topical applications, novel particle engineering technologies for low molecular weight drugs, and innovative dry powder applications for biologics. 

Williams was named Inventor of the Year by the University of Texas at Austin in 2017, and received the College of Science Academy of Distinguished Former Students Award at Texas A&M University in 2021. He has published over 500 peer reviewed research articles, reviews, abstracts and book chapters, co-edited four books in the fields of pharmaceutical technology and drug delivery, and is an inventor of over 60 patents. 

Williams’ current research focuses on refining particle engineering techniques including Thin Film Freezing, a proprietary technology he invented that transforms medicines into a potent dry powder for better efficacy, safety, and stability. Thin Film Freezing is being applied by scientists at TFF Pharmaceuticals to develop lung-directed inhaled and intranasal drugs for respiratory infections.

We asked…

What has been the biggest breakthrough in biopharma in recent years? 

The biggest breakthrough in biopharma in recent years is the mRNA-based vaccines, as evidenced by their use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you weren't in the pharma industry, what would you be doing instead?

If I was not in the pharma industry, I would be a veterinarian because I love animals.