Clintoria Williams, associate professor in the Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology at Wright State University, has received the John F. Perkins, Jr. Research Career Enhancement Award from the American Physiological Society. This will enable her to join Vanderbilt as a visiting scholar in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics for four months to collaborate more closely with Antentor Hinton Jr., assistant professor in the department.
While at Vanderbilt, Williams will work with Hinton to identify novel treatment targets for chronic kidney disease, a disease most frequently caused by hypertension and diabetes. She will also explore the antihypertensive effects in two established CKD models.
“I am deeply honored to receive the John F. Perkins, Jr. Research Career Enhancement Award from the American Physiological Society. This award not only acknowledges Dr. Hinton’s and my past contributions to the scientific field but also opens a thrilling new chapter in our research careers,” Williams said. “This collaboration presents a unique opportunity to expand the boundaries of our understanding of the mechanisms driving chronic kidney disease. Dr. Hinton and I are poised to explore uncharted territories, driven by a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. This collaboration signifies a momentous step forward, promising to yield impactful insights and forge new paths in our quest for knowledge.”
In December 2023, Williams and Hinton published a review article in the journal Aging Cell that expands on the understanding of latent transforming growth factor beta binding protein 4’s role in age-related organ disease. Williams is a co-author on three preprint research articles from the Hinton lab, including “Strategies for Inducing and Validating Zinc Deficiency and Zinc Repletion.” During her time as a visiting scholar, she will assist with other publications.
Williams’ research examines hypertension, a major risk factor in CKD progression, which leads to end-stage kidney failure. Uncontrolled blood pressure is present in almost 90 percent of patients with CKD despite the availability of several types of drugs that target hypertension. To combat this, Williams’ lab has worked to identify cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive hypertensive kidney damage. “Notably, her work underscores the urgency for research into new approaches to lower blood pressure, slow CKD progression, and improve patient well-being,” Hinton said.
Williams is the president of Black in Physiology Inc., an organization dedicated to supporting Black professionals in physiological sciences and that advocates for greater diversity and inclusiveness in this scientific discipline. She also holds the position of president at the Dayton branch of the American Heart Association. Her involvement with the AHA in 2017 included participating in their Research Leaders Academy. She has been honored as a fellow by the organization and has been an active member of the Council on the Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease.
“As an incredible mentor and outstanding scientist, she fosters learning and growth in her laboratory, inspiring impactful scientific contributions,” Hinton said.