Zack Williams is an M.D./Ph.D. student at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee, currently pursuing a joint Ph.D. in neuroscience and hearing and speech sciences. His research focuses on the development and evaluation of psychological measures for use in adults on the autism spectrum. He is particularly interested in the assessment of co-occurring psychiatric and psychosomatic disorders in autistic adults and the development of evidence-based treatments for these conditions.
Zachary Williams
M.D./Ph.D. student
Vanderbilt University
From this contributor
Common sensory response scores may miss important variations
A person’s “overall” score on sensory-seeking, hyperreactive or hyporeactive tendencies may obscure nuances in their individual sensory experience.
Common sensory response scores may miss important variations
By
Zachary Williams, Tiffany Woynaroski
22 February 2024 | 5 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
Genetic profiles separate early, late autism diagnoses
Age at diagnosis reflects underlying differences in common genetic variants and developmental trajectories among people with autism.
Genetic profiles separate early, late autism diagnoses
Age at diagnosis reflects underlying differences in common genetic variants and developmental trajectories among people with autism.
By
Natalia Mesa
27 November 2025 | 5 min read
To persist, memories surf molecular waves from thalamus to cortex
During the later stages of learning, the mouse brain progressively activates transcriptional regulators that drive memory consolidation.
To persist, memories surf molecular waves from thalamus to cortex
During the later stages of learning, the mouse brain progressively activates transcriptional regulators that drive memory consolidation.
By
Claudia López Lloreda
26 November 2025 | 4 min read
Sex hormone boosts female rats’ sensitivity to unexpected rewards
During the high-estradiol stages of their estrus cycle, female rats learn faster than they do during other stages—and than male rats overall—thanks to a boost in their dopaminergic response to reward, a new study suggests.
Sex hormone boosts female rats’ sensitivity to unexpected rewards
During the high-estradiol stages of their estrus cycle, female rats learn faster than they do during other stages—and than male rats overall—thanks to a boost in their dopaminergic response to reward, a new study suggests.
By
Angie Voyles Askham
26 November 2025 | 5 min read