Sarah Williams-Blangero

Sarah Williams-Blangero is a prominent genetic epidemiologist and researcher currently serving as the Chair of the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).14 Her career spans over 30 years, focusing on the genetic determinants of complex diseases, particularly in minority populations.2

Key points about Sarah Williams-Blangero:

1. Education: She earned her Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology from Case Western Reserve University in 1987.12

2. Current Positions:

   • Chair, Department of Human Genetics at UTRGV
   • Director of the South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute
   • HEB Distinguished Chair in Diabetes and Genomics1

3. Research Focus: Her work centers on genetic epidemiology of complex diseases in minority populations, with a particular emphasis on diabetes, obesity, and related disorders.12

4. Research Sites: Dr. Williams-Blangero has established long-term research sites in Nepal and Brazil, which have been active for over 30 and 20 years respectively.2

5. Funding: As a Principal Investigator, she has generated over $25 million in NIH funding to support her research.2

6. Publications: She has authored more than 120 scientific papers.2

7. Previous Roles: Before joining UTRGV, she served as the Chair of the Department of Genetics at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute for 15 years and as Deputy Director of the Southwest National Primate Research Center.2

8. Honors: Dr. Williams-Blangero was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2001 for her contributions to anthropological genetics and health.3

Her extensive experience and leadership in genetic research, particularly in minority populations, have established her as a respected figure in the field of genetic epidemiology.