Jesse Williams, Ph.D.,
Principal Investigator
Jesse graduated with a B.A from DePauw University in 2007 where he first gained research experience in Dr. Henning Schneider’s lab cloning zebrafish serotonin receptor genes. He did his graduate training at the University of Chicago in the Molecular Pathogenesis and Molecular Medicine graduate program under mentor Anne Sperling. His thesis focused on the mechanisms regulating immunity in pulmonary inflammation. For postdoctoral training, Jesse joined Gwendalyn Randolph’s laboratory at Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Pathology and Immunology. In Dr. Randolph’s group, Jesse specialized in studying macrophage differentiation and heterogeneity in models of atherosclerosis. Jesse moved to the University of Minnesota in March of 2019 to start his own lab to continue his work on innate immunity in atherosclerosis. Jesse lives with his wife (Elizabeth), dog (Bingo), and cat (Simon). When not in the lab, Jesse is often out riding his bike or relaxing by the lake.
Yingzheng Xu, B.S.
Ph.D. student, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BICB) graduate program
Yingzheng graduated from the University of Minnesota Rochester in 2020. While in Rochester, he received the BICB summer research fellowship at Dr. Matthew Urban’s lab (Mayo Clinic) where he conducted ultrasonic/mechanical testing of arterial viscosity. Since October 2020, Yingzheng decided to pursue immunology and bioinformatics in the Williams Lab where he gained first impression of single-cell RNA sequencing and loved it. His specific focus will be investigating adrenal gland macrophage development and function, aided by his computational skills. Yingzheng enjoys video gaming and running in his spare time. He actually got a medal for a 5K race in Get in Gears. Motivated by his chemistry professor, he agreed that his PhD career will not be completed without a marathon race.
Ainsley Kennedy. B.S.
Researcher
Ainsley is originally from Lexington, KY and received her B.S in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky in December 2018. In 2020, she and her partner decided to move to the Twin Cities area. She started working in the Williams Lab in 2021. Her current research is focused on ASC and its role in inflammation within lesions in an atherosclerotic mouse model using confocal microscopy. When not in the lab, Ainsley can be found lounging with her cats (Leela and Fry) or reading a substantial amount of fiction books.
Hannah Hillman, B.S.
Graduate Student, MICaB
Hannah is from Prescott, WI and graduated from the University of California San Diego in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. After graduation, she worked as a technician in Dr. Bjoern Peters’ lab at La Jolla Institute for Immunology where she investigated gene and protein signatures capable of predicting tuberculosis disease progression and treatment response. She joined the Williams lab in the spring of 2023, and her work will involve elucidating the mechanisms by which Trem2 expression on arterial plaque macrophages modulates progression of atherosclerosis. She is simultaneously pursuing a Masters degree in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. In her free time, you can find Hannah reading, riding her bike, drinking beer, and planning outdoor adventures for her and her dog Boots.
Sia Shekhar
Undergraduate Researcher
Sia is from Woodbury, Minnesota, and has been part of the Williams Lab as a research assistant since September 2022. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Physiology at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. In her free time, Sia enjoys reading and playing her guitar.
Sam Tollison
Undergraduate Researcher
Sam is from Woodbury, Minnesota and has been working in the Williams Lab as an undergraduate researcher since August 2022. They are currently pursuing a B.A in Human Physiology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. When not in the lab, Sam enjoys rock climbing, playing guitar, and exploring the outdoors.
Cameron Banks, B.S.
Graduate Student, MICaB
Cameron is originally from St. Louis, MO and completed his Bachelor of Science in Biology at Truman State University in 2020. He then worked as a technician in the endocrinology department at Wash U investigating stem cell therapies for diabetes. In 2023 he joined the MICab graduate program and the Williams lab where he is investigating the influence of prior microbial exposure (dirty mouse model) on tissue resident macrophage profiles and subsequent response to cardiovascular inflammation. He is also interested in microglia and the role they play in brain development, tissue maintenance, and disease. I enjoy reading, movies, being outdoors, video games, live music, and pets.
Michael Chang, B.A.
Graduate Student, BICB
Michael received his BA in Molecular & Cell Biology with an Emphasis in Infectious Diseases from UC Berkeley in 2021. At Berkeley, he was an undergraduate researcher in Marc Hellerstein’s lab studying lipid metabolomics in mice with NAFLD. In 2021, he was a lab manager and research tech in Fayyaz Sutterwala and Suzanne Cassel’s lab at Cedars Sinai studying the role of gasdermin D in acute lung injury resulting from silica crystals. He joined the Williams lab in spring 2024, and is potentially looking to study the role of aortic intima macrophages in atherosclerotic plaque formation. Simultaneously, he is planning to pursue a Masters Degree in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. In his free time, Michael has a love-hate relationship with the Lakers and Dodgers and practices kendo, a Japanese sword-fighting martial art, which he’s done since 2018.
Sophia Coleman
Undergraduate Researcher