Comfort Williams Advances Pulmonary Vascular Research on a Global Stage

Growing up in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, Williams often watched in admiration as medical students, dressed in crisp white coats, made their way to the hospital for clinical rounds. “I couldn’t wait to wear a white coat,” she recalled. “At the time, I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to become, but I knew I loved science. The medical students, their confidence, professionalism, and the way they carried themselves left a lasting impression on me. I wanted to be like them. I wanted to belong in that world.” 

Williams, a first-generation college student, earned her Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science degree with a concentration in hematology and blood transfusion services from Imo State University, Nigeria. Her research trajectory was inspired by the mentorship of one of her professors, a cardiovascular disease researcher whose intellectual curiosity and collaborative approach left a lasting impression.

“I loved the way he thought, his research, his mentorship style, and his openness to collaboration,” she said. “I was especially drawn to the excitement of discovering something new. When I decided to pursue a research career, I understood it would demand resilience, ambition, and a strong educational foundation, and I was prepared for that.”

After graduating, Williams was inducted into the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria. She completed a rigorous 12-month internship at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Nigeria, rotating through multiple specialties including chemical pathology, histopathology, medical microbiology, and hematology. She later served as a graduate research assistant at Ebonyi State University, Nigeria. Williams practiced as a licensed medical laboratory scientist at Newton Diagnostics Centre before advancing to molecular biology laboratory supervisor in the pathology department at Clinix Healthcare, where she managed daily operations and led a team of scientists and technicians. It was during her time at Clinix that she decided to expand her knowledge internationally. She subsequently earned a master’s degree in cell and molecular biology, along with certifications in health, safety, and environment from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

In 2024, Williams began her Ph.D. studies at NYMC, drawn by the Department of Pharmacology’s groundbreaking cardiovascular research. Conversations with her current mentor, Sachin Gupte, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of pharmacology, confirmed that the program offered the scientific rigor and collaborative environment she had been seeking. 

“I was driven to pursue a Ph.D. by a desire to advance human health and expand my global perspective,” said Williams. “I wanted to collaborate across borders and elevate my scientific contributions on an international scale. Having already worked across most regions of Nigeria, I felt it was time to grow beyond national boundaries and engage with one of the world’s leading countries in science and medicine.”

In Dr. Gupte’s lab, Williams’ research focuses on the genetic, epigenetic, and molecular mechanisms underlying pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a complex and often fatal cardiovascular disease characterized by vascular remodeling, elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, and right ventricular hypertrophy. Specifically, she investigates how plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) contributes to pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell dysfunction and drives the pathological vascular remodeling central to PAH progression.

“The remodeling process is key to the worsening of pulmonary hypertension,” said Williams. “Given the limited treatment options currently available for individuals living with this debilitating condition, identifying PAI-1 as a potential therapeutic target represents a significant step toward advancing personalized medicine and improving outcomes, particularly among genetically predisposed populations.”

She presented her research, “PAI-1 Induces Cell Migration of Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells – Implications for Pulmonary Arterial Remodeling,” at the 2025 American Physiological Society Summit in Baltimore, Maryland. Her presentation drew considerable interest from experts in the field, prompting discussions about the translational potential of her findings. She also presented her work at the 36th Annual Graduate Student Research Forum at NYMC, where she was honored with a Junior Poster Presentation Award in recognition of her scientific rigor and innovation.

As Williams continues her career in the biomedical sciences, she remains dedicated to using research as a tool for innovation, impact, and global health advancement 

“I’m passionate about mentoring the next generation of scientists and contributing to discoveries that have the potential to improve lives globally,” she said. “That, to me, is the ultimate goal. If you can help uncover a cure or even identify a promising therapeutic target for a life-threatening disease affecting a large population, that’s incredibly meaningful. Making that kind of impact is what drives me.”