I am an ornithologist with an interest in the ecology, evolution, and spatial and taxonomic distribution of bird-borne viruses, particularly avian influenza strains, Flavivirus, Papillomavirus and Poxvirus. More broadly, I am interested in emerging zoonotic diseases, host-pathogen evolution and interactions, and biological invasions. My research has primarily explored vertebrate pathogens. I have used a variety of approaches to explore these questions - field sampling, modelling, molecular tools, phylogenetic analyses and serosurvey. My dissertation, supervised by Town Peterson at the University of Kansas, focused on highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1, with three chapters exploring ecological and geographical prediction using ecological niche modelling), and two chapters reporting surveillance avian influenza strains, and other avian associated viruses (Alphaviruses and Flaviviruses) in Ghana and Peru.  

At present my main research focus is the ecology and evolution of Papillomaviruses and Poxviruses in avian hosts, addressing basic issues, such as optimizing techniques for detecting and sequencing these  taxa, better understanding their systematics and breadth of host taxonomy. Future, and more, refined research questions, include the exploration of viral prevalences in wild hosts, particularly in terms of space and time, and associating viral infection with immunological indicators in model species

|Ongoing projects|Publications|

Ongoing projects:

2011-2013: Ecology and evolutionary implications of within-host symbiont coexistence (CGL2010-15734/BOS, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, PI: Javier Pérez-Tris).

Selected publications:

Perez Tris J*, Williams RAJ*, Abel-Fernández E, Barreiro J, Conesa JJ, Figuerola J, Martinez-Martínez M, Ramírez A. & Benitez L. 2011. A multiplex PCR for detection of avian Papillomavirus and Poxvirus in cutaneous warts from live birds and museum skins. Avian Diseases, en prensa.

Williams RAJ, Xiao X & Peterson AT. 2011. Continent-wide association of H5N1 Outbreaks in Wild and Domestic Birds in Europe. Geospatial Health 5: 247-253.

Nakazawa Y, Williams RAJ, Peterson AT, Kugeler K, Mead P, & Petersen J. 2010. Ecological niche modelling of Francisella tularensis subspecies and clades in the United States. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 82: 912-8.

Williams RAJ, Peterson AT. 2009. Ecology and geography of avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) transmission in the Middle East and northeastern Africa. International Journal of Health Geographics 8: e47.

Martın-Cereceda M, Williams RAJ & Novarino G. 2008. Easy visualization of the protist Oxyrrhis marina grazing on a live fluorescently labelled heterotrophic nanoflagellate. Current Microbiology 57: 45-50.

Peterson AT, & Williams RAJ. 2008. Risk Mapping of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Distribution and Spread. Ecology and Society 13: e15.

Williams RAJ, Fasina FO, & Peterson AT. 2008. Predictable ecology and geography of avian influenza (H5N1) transmission in Nigeria and West Africa. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 102: 471-479.

Martin-Cereceda M, Williams R, Guinea A, & Novarino G. 2007. An investigation of the fine structure, cell surface carbohydrates, and appeal of the diatom Extubocellulus sp. as prey for small flagellates. Protoplasma 232: 69-78.

Nakazawa Y, Williams R, Peterson AT, Mead P, Staples E, & Gage KL. 2007. Climate change effects on plague and tularemia in the United States. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases 7: 529-40.

Peterson AT, Williams R, & Chen G. 2007. Modeled global invasive potential of Asian gypsy moths, Lymantria dispar. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 125: 39-44.