Breaking Barriers: Williams' first-gen journey to groundbreaking research
As the first in his family to go to college, Kevin Williams is no stranger to breaking barriers. In a remarkable accomplishment for an undergraduate, the senior Grissom Scholar has now achieved another 鈥渇irst鈥 as lead author of a peer-reviewed article
The paper reports the results of a study on the molecule urobilin, which has been linked to cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and obesity. The study is the first to identify a urobilin-binding protein, and also examines how the molecule is transported through the body. 鈥淲e found that urobilin binds to a carrier protein called albumin,鈥 explained Williams. 鈥淭his finding could pave the way to target that binding relationship in the future, to treat some of those diseases.鈥
Williams met the study鈥檚 principal investigator, Terry Hinds, while presenting his summer research project at the Kentucky Academy of Sciences Conference in 2023. Hinds, Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences and Director of the Drug & Disease Discovery D3 Research Center at the University of Kentucky, stopped to ask Williams about his project.
鈥淚 asked him if he wanted the full version, or just the results,鈥 laughed Williams. 鈥淗e told me, 鈥楪ive me the Kevin Williams version.鈥欌 This conversation would lead to an internship with Hinds during the summer of 2024. As the study neared completion, Hinds encouraged Williams to take the lead in writing up the results, maintaining contact with him through the fall semester.
Williams credits Centre鈥檚 academic rigor for preparing him for the research environment, as well as the support of faculty members such as Stodghill Professor of Biology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Steve Asmus. 鈥淗e makes sure we understand the big picture 鈥 of why we鈥檙e doing this, why it matters.鈥 said Williams. 鈥淗e's also been a great personal support to me. He not only supports me in the classroom, but he also supports me as a person.鈥
鈥淜evin loves to learn, and he asks lots of questions, both of which are great characteristics in a student.鈥 said Asmus. 鈥淚t is rare for an undergraduate to get the opportunity to write up an article as first author, and all of these experiences will serve him well.鈥
An accomplished student, Williams鈥 time at 果冻传媒 has not been without its challenges. The Brooklyn native struggled with feelings of isolation in his first year. 鈥淚 was always code-switched,鈥 he said. 鈥淣ot talking in the same way I do at home, not wearing my durag, not wanting to be perceived in a certain way by my peers.鈥 He eventually found his family as the manager of the men鈥檚 basketball team and leading bible study classes. He is the president of Brother to Brother, an organization dedicated to supporting men of color at 果冻传媒. For Williams, it is important to provide others the community he craved as a first-year student and help them through challenging times.
In fall of his sophomore year, Williams lost four family members, affecting his GPA and leaving him questioning whether he should continue. His friends, faculty advisors and his faith helped him through this difficult period. 鈥淭hat was a big growing moment for me 鈥 learning how much I could handle,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 always reflect on that 鈥 how I was two years ago and how I am now.鈥
After graduating, Williams will enter the Master of Science in Integrative Medicine & Health Sciences program at Georgetown University. He then plans to study medicine, and is considering specializing as a trauma surgeon.
As his time at 果冻传媒 nears completion, he encourages his fellow first-generation students to embrace new opportunities, to be proud of their achievements and to honor those in their lives who helped them to where they are today.
"Remember all of the people who didn鈥檛 have this opportunity.鈥 Williams said. 鈥淵ou're not just living out your dreams, but in a sense, you're carrying dreams for other people. Don鈥檛 take that as pressure, but as motivation. Take it as a kind of pride 鈥 like wow, I鈥檓 the one who鈥檚 doing it!鈥
