Christopher Williams

June 29, 2023

Selenium signal found in colorectal cancer: study

An antioxidant transporter of the trace mineral selenium that protects against inflammatory bowel disease has the opposite effect in colorectal cancer, where it promotes tumor growth, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have reported.

By Bill Snyder
VUMC faculty members attending the meeting of the American Society for Clinical Investigation included, from left, Wesley Ely, MD, MPH, Patrick Hu, MD, PhD, Lorraine Ware, MD, Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, Consuelo Wilkins, MD, MSCI, Christopher Williams, MD, PhD, Lori Jordan, MD, PhD, Natasha Halasa, MD, MPH, ASCI Council Member Julie Bastarache, MD, Eric Tkaczyk, MD, PhD, and James Crowe Jr., MD.
April 21, 2022

VUMC a national leader in physician-scientist training

Physician-scientists from Vanderbilt University Medical Center were well represented at the recent annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), Association of American Physicians (AAP) and the American Physician-Scientist Association.

By Bill Snyder
Jennifer Pilat, left, Sarah Short, PhD, Christopher Williams, MD, PhD, and colleagues are studying a biomarker for assessing disease severity and cancer risk in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
February 4, 2021

Potential biomarker for IBD severity, cancer risk identified

A selenium transport protein produced in the colon may be a novel biomarker for assessing disease severity and cancer risk in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

By Leigh MacMillan
Attendees take part in last week’s online Medical Scientist Training Program seminar.
April 16, 2020

Medical Scientist Training Program adapts to COVID-19 challenges

The Medical Scientist Training Program has been intentional in approaching the challenges presented by COVID-19.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 28, 2019

Protein loss promotes cell migration

The protein kinase STK17A plays a novel role in epithelial cells and its loss may contribute to colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis, Vanderbilt researchers report.

By Leigh MacMillan
July 19, 2018

Novel insights on “leaky” gut

A protein involved in binding cells together helps maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and plays a protective role in ulcerative colitis.

By Niyati Vachharajani
June 21, 2018

Burroughs Wellcome Fund award expands opportunities for physician-scientists

Vanderbilt University has received a five-year, $2.5-million Physician Scientist Institutional Award from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund to help bolster the dwindling number of active physician-scientists in the United States.
By Bill Snyder
May 19, 2016

Williams to lead physician-scientist training program 

Christopher Williams, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Medicine and Cancer Biology, was recently named associate dean for Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s Physician-Scientist Education and Training Program (PSTP) and director of the Medical Science Training Program (MSTP).
By Jessica Pasley
February 11, 2016

Study identifies potential colon cancer biomarker

A protein that suppresses a key cancer pathway in the colon may be a potential biomarker for colitis-associated tumors, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center reported last month in the journal Gut.
By Bill Snyder
July 23, 2015

Study explores protein’s role in inflammation-associated cancer

An antioxidant protein may protect against colon cancer that develops in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, suggesting new strategies for reducing colon cancer risk in these patients.
By Leigh MacMillan
June 11, 2015

Medical societies honor VUMC’s Cover, Williams

Two physicians from Vanderbilt University have been elected to membership in two of the nation’s oldest and most respected medical honor societies — the Association of American Physicians (AAP) and the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI).
By Leigh MacMillan
October 7, 2011

Heart protein may be target for colon cancer therapies

A protein critical in heart development may also play a part in colon cancer progression.
By VUMC News and Communications