DrHelen Williams

I am a postdoctoral scientist working at Westmead Hospital to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease.

In my research I investigate the underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular disease, specifically the role of monocytes, a type of white blood cell, in the development of fatty plaques in the blood vessel walls. The rupture of these plaques can cause heart attack and stroke.

I completed my PhD (University of Sydney) in 2011 examining the metabolic profile of genetically modified mouse models. This work showed that mice lacking a gene called Klf3 remain lean even when fed a high-fat diet.

In 2011, I began postdoctoral work at the Department of Surgery, Westmead Hospital. I currently investigate how monocytes change in people with cardiovascular disease.