LaNell Williams

Hi I'm LaNell and I'm a current postdoc affiliated with the Center for the Physics of Biological Functions (CPBF) at Princeton University.  My current research interests surround pyrenoid stability and assembly. My more specific focus is on understanding the role of the thylakoid membrane and tubule network. I grew up in Memphis TN and did my undergraduate degree in physics at Wesleyan University, a small liberal arts college in Middletown, CT. At Wesleyan, I studied lipid dynamics and participated in efforts to support underserved populations in STEM. Following my bachelor's degree, I received a master's degree at Fisk University, a historically black college (HBCU) located in Nashville, TN. While at Fisk, I studied hard condensed matter physics focused on gamma radiation detectors along with a small project focused on understanding the collective motion of Dictyostelium cells.  After Fisk, I went on to complete my PhD in physics at Harvard University studying the self-assembly of small RNA viruses. My general interests lie in biological assembly, soft matter physics inspired by biology, and photosynthesis. 

Over the years, I've participated in a large amount of leadership and outreach that has included serving 4 years on the board and council of the American Physical Society representing the forum on graduate school affairs, and efforts increasing representation in STEM. For the past 5 years I've run an organization called the Women+ of Color Project that focuses on increasing the number of BIPOC women in STEM. Every year we have an in-person or virtual workshop focused on graduate school applications and graduate school success for BIPOC Women and gender minorities. Check out our website and this article from 2020 (this one too from 2021!) about our efforts! To date, we've helped over 200 students with their graduate school applications! If you'd like to learn more about me check out my LinkedIn!