As Director of Undergraduate Research, Laura Williams collaborates with faculty, academic units & colleges, and campus organizations to lead and contribute to new and existing undergraduate research initiatives across Georgia Tech. She develops data-informed programs—to utilize both inside and outside the classroom—to boost quality, implementation, and engagement—and to reduce disparities and enhance participation among underrepresented student groups. She also oversees the undergraduate research curriculum and operations of the Research Option and the research-themed sections of GT1000 and GT2000; coordinate existing undergraduate research programming; and develop and fortify partnerships with school administration, faculty, staff, and campus programs like VIP, Create-X, REUs, VP of Research, etc.

Laura comes to OUE from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island where she served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology. Laura holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Georgia and a B.S. in Biology from Illinois Wesleyan University.