Pete A Williams
The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, Maine, 04612, U.S.A.
Tel: +1 207 266 2421 (mobile), +1 207 288 1472 (office)
Email: williams.pete@gmail.com (personal), peter.williams@jax.org (professional)
Education.......................................................................................................................................................................
2012
School of Optometry and Vision Science, Cardiff University, UK
PhD in Vision Science (Visual Neuroscience and Molecular Biology)
Title: Retinal Neuronal Remodelling in Models of Optic Atrophy
Supervisors: Prof. M Votruba and Prof. JE Morgan
Overview:
Dominant optic atrophy is the most commonly inherited optic neuropathy (1:12,000). My research
explored the role the mitochondrial fusion protein, Opa1, has to play on retinal ganglion cell
morphology and structure as well as retinal connectivity using a the B6;C3-Opa1Q285STOP mouse; a
model of DOA.
In addition to my doctoral research I was involved in other projects involving neuronal health and
connectivity using mouse models of glaucoma (DBA/2J), Alzheimer’s disease (APPswe) and
Parkinson’s disease (α, β, γ synuclein triple knock-out). I have also been involved in the development
of novel transfection method (magnetofection through NanoTherics).
2009
School of Biosciences; Cardiff University, UK
BSc. (Hons) Biomedical Sciences – Neuroscience, Upper Second Class
Dissertation project: Mitochondrial Mutations as a Driver for Dendritic Atrophy in a Retinal Model.
Final year modules included; Molecular Neuroscience, Neuronal Development and Plasticity,
Neuronal Excitability and Transmitters.
Employment…………………………………...…..…………………………………………………………………..
2012-Present
The Jackson Laboratory, ME, U.S.A.
Postdoctoral Fellow (Simon John Lab)
Overview:
My research focuses on retinal and optic nerve degeneration in the DBA/2J mouse, a widely used
model of glaucoma, and the protective nature of γ- and X-ray radiation in this model. I am using
modern genomic tools, including RNA-sequencing, to characterize the transcriptomes of different cell
types to better understand glaucomatous disease pathogenesis. I am also involved with collaborative
projects with biomedical and electrical engineering faculty members from Purdue University working
on novel optogenetic tools, vagus nerve stimulation as well as strategies for blocking monocyte
adhesion in disease.
Pete A Williams
The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, Maine, 04612, U.S.A.
Tel: +1 207 266 2421 (mobile), +1 207 288 1472 (office)
Email: williams.pete@gmail.com (personal), peter.williams@jax.org (professional)
Peer Reviewed Publications.....................................................................................................................................
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Lee ST, Williams PA, Braine CE, Lin DT, John SWM, Irazoqui PP. “A miniature, fiber-coupled, wireless,
deep-brain optogenetic stimulator”. Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering.
Accepted, in press,
Williams PA, Howell GR, Barbay JM, Braine CE, Sousa GL, John SWM, Morgan JE. “Retinal ganglion cell
dendritic atrophy in DBA/2J glaucoma”. PLoS One. 2013 (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0072282),
Williams PA, Thirgood RA, Littlewood E, Votruba M, Oliphant H, Good MA, Williams J, Morgan JE.
“Retinal ganglion cell dendritic degeneration in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease”. Neurobiology of
Aging. 2013 (doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.01.006),
Williams PA, Piechota M, Von Ruhland C, Taylor E, Morgan JE, Votruba M. “Opa1 is essential for retinal
ganglion cell synaptic architecture and connectivity”. Brain. 2012 (doi:10.1093/brain/awr330),
Barnard AR, Issa PC, Perganta G, Williams PA, Davies V, Sekaran S, Votruba M, MacLaren RE. “Specific
deficits in visual electrophysiology in a mouse model of dominant optic atrophy”. Experimental Eye
Research. 2011 (doi:10.1016/j.exer.2011.07.004),
Williams PA, Morgan JE, Votruba M. “Mouse models of dominant optic atrophy: What do they tell us about
the pathophysiology of visual loss?”. Vision Research. 2011.(doi:10.1016/j.visres.2010.08.031),
Williams PA, Morgan JE, Votruba, M. “Opa1 deficiency in a mouse model of dominant optic atrophy leads
to retinal ganglion cell dendropathy”. Brain. 2010 (doi:10.1093/brain/awq218).
Conference Proceedings............................................................................................................................................
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Lee ST, Williams PA, Lin DT, John SWM, Irazoqui PP. "Towards a wireless, closed-loop optogenetic
stimulator for seizure modulation," The 6th Annual International Workshop on Seizure Prediction, San Diego,
CA, U.S.A.,
Lee ST, Williams PA, Lin DT, John SWM, Irazoqui PP. “Modular Cortex-M0 MCU platform for wireless,
controlled deep brain LED-fiber coupled optical stimulation in optogenetics,” IEEE Engineering in Medicine
& Biology Society Neural Engineering Conference, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.,
Lee ST, Williams PA, Qing K, Lin DT, John SWM, Irazoqui PP. "Custom ASICs with integrated Cortex-M0
MCU platform for closed-loop optical stimulation," American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting, San Diego,
CA, U.S.A.,
Williams PA, Von Ruhland C, Morgan JE, Votruba M. “Changes in retinal neuronal connectivity in a mouse
model of dominant optic atrophy”. Acta Ophthalmologica. 2011 (doi:10.1111/j.1755-3768.2011.2121.x)
Williams PA, Morgan JE, Votruba M. “Opa1 deficiency in a mouse model of dominant optic atrophy leads to
retinal ganglion cell dendropathy”. 529.10. 2010 Neuroscience Meeting. San Diego, CA, U.S.A.: Society for
Neuroscience, 2010. Online
Williams PA, Morgan JE, Votruba M. Opa1 deficiency in a mouse model of dominant optic atrophy leads to
dendritic pruning in retinal ganglion cells. IOVS, 2010; 45: ARVO E-Abstract 2344
Williams PA, Morgan JE, Votruba M. ON-Centre retinal ganglion cells are selectively affected in a mouse
model of dominant optic atrophy (ADOA). P16, Vision Research Conference, 2010.
Publications Under Review.....................................................................................................................................
Publications in Preparation.......................................................................................................................................
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Williams PA, Votruba M, Morgan JE. “Retinal ganglion cell shrinkage, remodelling and dendritic
arborizations in relation to the pathogenesis of glaucoma”. In Preparation
Williams PA, Thirgood R, Good M, Morgan JE, Votruba M. “Hippocampal dendritic spine loss in OPA1
deficient mice”. In Preparation
Williams PA, Cross SD, Votruba M, Morgan JE. “Retinal ganglion cell morphologies of the Tree Shrew
‘Tupaia belangeri’ ”. In Preparation
Pete A Williams
The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, Maine, 04612, U.S.A.
Tel: +1 207 266 2421 (mobile), +1 207 288 1472 (office)
Email: williams.pete@gmail.com (personal), peter.williams@jax.org (professional)
Awards and Achievements.....................................................................................................................................
2013
2013
2011
TJL Fellowship Grant
The Barbara and Joseph Cohen Endowment
European Association for Vision and Eye Research Travel Grant Winner for Best Paper in Category
Research Experience..................................................................................................................................................
09/11
The Jackson Laboratory, ME, U.S.A.
Collaborative Researcher
One-week collaboration in the Simon John lab using a DiOlistic method to investigate changes in the dendritic
architecture of retinal ganglion cells in the DBA/2J mouse model of glaucoma.
10/09-02/12
School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, UK
Postgraduate Demonstrator
Teaching of undergraduates in practical laboratory classes including blood physiology, tonometry and primate
retina anatomy.
06/09-08/09
School of Optometry and Vision Sciences; Cardiff University
Summer Research Student
Statistical and image analysis of Thy1::YFP labelled retinal ganglion cells in the DBA/2J mouse model of
glaucoma.
Professional Memberships........................................................................................................................................
2011-2012
2010-2011
2009-2010
2009-2010
European Association for Vision and Eye Research (Member in Training)
Society for Neuroscience (Student member)
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (Standard Member)
Oxford Ophthalmological Congress (Standard Member)
Research Techniques.................................................................................................................................................
I am an expert with the following techniques:
 DiOlistic and Biolistic labelling of tissue / tissue cultures
 Tissue microdissection
 Confocal Microscopy
 Quantitative reconstruction and analysis of neuronal structures
 Development of novel transfection methods (magnetofections)
 Range of histological and protein techniques: Immunohistochemistry, Western Blotting etc.
 Bacterial cultures for plasmid extraction and preparation
 Experienced in animal husbandry, genotyping, animal work
 Cell culture (HUVEC, neuronal, astrocyte)
 Flow cytometry and FACS
 RNA sequencing and analysis
Professional Training……..........................................................................................................................................
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Applied Bioinformatics, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, 2012
Pete A Williams
The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, Maine, 04612, U.S.A.
Tel: +1 207 266 2421 (mobile), +1 207 288 1472 (office)
Email: williams.pete@gmail.com (personal), peter.williams@jax.org (professional).
Public Outreach...........................................................................................................................................................
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I have previously been a STEMNET (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network)
ambassador for Cardiff University and have done numerous outreach activities with STEMNET to schools
and organisations including smoking awareness, brain awareness week and science career talks.
I formerly played an active role in open and presentation days for the Cardiff University Neuroscience degree
scheme.
Voluntary Work............................................................................................................................................................
09/05-01/12
01/04-01/09
09/08-09/09
Registered Scout Leader; Scouting Association, Clitheroe & Cardiff, UK
Registered BCU Kayak Instructor, Clitheroe & Ambleside, UK
Ty Gwyn Special School, Cardiff, UK
Positions of Responsibility........................................................................................................................
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Managing BS level research assistants, 2013Postgraduate Demonstrator and Teacher, 2009-2011
2nd Year Student Chairman of Biological Sciences, 2007-2008
2nd Year Student Representative for Neuroscience and Pharmacology, 2007-2008
1st Year Student Representative for Neuroscience, 2006-2007
Vice President of the Neuroscience Society, 2006-2007
1st Year Student Chairman of Biological Sciences, 2006-2007
Student and Residential Representative, 2006-2007
Assistant Scout Leader, 2005-2011
BCU First Aider, Registered 2004
Kayak Coach, Registered 2004
Personal Achievements...........................................................................................................................................
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Kayaking 1* - 4*
Kayak Coaching Award 1* & 2*
St. John's Emergency First Aid
Fencing Foil Award Grade 1 & 2
Captain of the University Rugby 7s Team (2009-2010 Season)
The Coast to Coast (220 miles kayaking in 6 days)
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
Chief Scout’s Platinum Award
Qualified Scout Leader
British Sign Language Levels 1 & 2 (2004, 2005)
Personal Interests...........................................................................................................................................
Outside of work I have a keen interest in outdoor activities. I am an active free and sports climber (I did my first 100ft
abseil aged 7) and have sport climbed in both the US and Europe. I both canoe and kayak and am a registered BCU
(British Canoe Union) instructor.
Aside from outdoor pursuits I have an interest in music, play the guitar and gig regularly, most notably at the KB
Music Festival and Under Construction Festivals (both UK).