Williams joins UAB as research editor

Experienced science editor joins Media Relations to help promote the $460 million research enterprise.

Greg Williams has joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham as research editor in Media Relations, which is part of the Office of Public Relations and Marketing.

greg_williams_storyWorking in support of a veteran media relations staff, Williams will work to enhance the national reputation of the UAB basic science enterprise and promote novel research efforts across university disciplines. UAB attracted more than $460 million in research funding in 2010. The university ranked 31st in the nation in federal research funding and 21st in funding from the National Institutes of Health; the UAB School of Medicine alone accounted for nearly $244 million. Williams will develop news and feature content for print and online media and engage social media communities interested in science news.

“It’s very exciting to have Greg join the team,” said Clinton Colmenares, director of Media Relations. “His background in public relations and science writing on behalf of medical centers and biotech companies will mean a higher profile over time for UAB research disciplines.”

Williams, a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, previously worked as senior science editor at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York State. There he was charged with promoting research in biochemistry, microbiology, cardiology, orthopedics, pharmacology, nursing and surgery. Prior to joining the medical center in Rochester, Williams was a managing supervisor at Fleishman-Hillard Healthcare, where he led efforts by the PR firm to publicize cholesterol management therapies, anti-addiction medications, pain relievers and chemotherapies. He began his career as an editor at the Albany, N.Y., bureau of The Associated Press and as a reporter for two Gannett newspapers.

“I am honored to have the chance to serve a group of researchers of this caliber,” Williams said. “My goal is to match the dedication they show to their work with science communications worthy of one of the best public universities in the country.”