Earlanda Williams, PhD

Dr. Earlanda Williams is the Associate Dean of the Department of Clinical and Applied Science Education and serves as Associate Professor of Anatomy and Director of Anatomical Sciences at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM). She joined the faculty at UIWSOM in August 2016 after spending seven years as a faculty member at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (UTHSCSA). Dr. Williams earned a Ph.D. in the Department of Cellular and Structural Biology at UTHSCSA in 2009. Her dissertation research focused on the molecular mechanisms involved in T cell tolerance to the acetyl-choline receptor, the autoantigen in Myasthenia gravis.

Prior to joining the team at UIWSOM, Dr. Williams dedicated much of her time to teaching and service related to anatomy education. Her primary field of expertise is human gross anatomy and she has previously designed and directed anatomy courses for a multitude of health professional programs, including dentistry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, biomedical engineering and masters in anatomy. Dr. Williams has also designed and directed anatomy teaching electives for selected upper-division students with an interest in teaching.

Dr. Williams' current interests include anatomy education and the development of innovative techniques for teaching the anatomical sciences. She is active nationally as a member of the American Association of Anatomists (AAA) and a former member of the AAA Advisory Committee for Young Anatomists and the American Association of Dental Education. Dr. Williams recently completed a five-year appointment as an Anatomical Sciences section member on the National Board Dental Test Construction Committee. Most recently, Dr. Williams was appointed to the NMBOME National Faculty and is a member of the COMLEX-USA Level 1 Standard Setting and New Item Review teams. She also serves as the primary mentor at UIW for an Anatomy Training Program sponsored by AAA. To her credit, Dr. Williams has fulfilled a contract with F.A. Davis publishing for ancillary materials for a dental hygiene textbook, designed anatomy animation software and is currently in collaboration with UT Health San Antonio to test 3D printed models for use in specific anatomy programs at UIWSOM.

• Ph.D. in the Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health San Antonio, 2009