Director, Iowa BioDevelopment                                                                          Feb 1997 - present
Indian Hills Community College
525 Grandview Avenue, Ottumwa, Iowa 52501, USA

Toxicology Consultant                                                                                          Nov 1996 - Feb 1997
Consultox Ltd.
PO Box 1239, Damariscotta, Maine 04543, USA

Visiting Research Professor                                                                                 June 1995 - Oct 1996
Darling Marine Center, University of Maine
25 Clarks Cove Road, Walpole, Maine 04573, USA

Postdoctoral Research Associate                                                                      May 1993-May 1995
Department of Marine Science, University of South Florida
140, 7^th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA

Research Assistant                                                                                                 Dec 1992 - April 1993
Pure & Applied Biology, University of Wales College of Cardiff
P.O. Box 915, Cardiff, CF1 3TL, UK

Ph.D. in Microbial Genetics & Ecology                                                             Oct 1989 - Oct 1992
Pure & Applied Biology, University of Wales College of Cardiff

B.Sc. Microbiology with Genetics                                                                     Oct 1986 - Jun 1989
Department of Microbiology, University College Cardiff.
Upper second class honors II(i).

'A' Levels                                                                                                                 Sept 1984 - Jun 1986
Jack Hunt School, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.
Biology (B), Chemistry (B), Pure & Applied Mathematics (C)

'O' Levels                                                                                                                 Sept 1979 - Jun 1984
Bushfield Secondary School, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.
Additional Mathematics (O/A level; B), Mathematics (GCSE; A/1),
Biology (B), Chemistry (B), English Literature (B), English Language (C),
Art (C), History (C), French (D; CSE 2).

Director, Iowa BioDevelopment, Indian Hills Community College
"Iowa BioDevelopment" is an outreach program servicing the biotechnology industry in Iowa. As director I am responsible for development and operation of the program. Our mission is to provide biotechnology companies and related businesses with affordable access to effective, customized training programs and support services. We offer; needs assessments, job and task analysis, curriculum development, customized training programs. industry specific workshops, employee evaluations and referrals. My duties include visiting companies to explain our services, performing training needs assessments, developing customized training programs, coordinating and delivering training, developing a network of contacts for referrals, creating a guiding committee, recruiting suitably qualified trainers and organizing workshops. I am also responsible for overseeing the program coordinator, trainers and secretarial staff. My interests are primarily in identifying the need for and developing innovative ways to provide training in science based subjects, but I have also gained considerable experience coordinating training in other important areas including management and supervision training, office skills, computer skills, sales and marketing, technical and maintenance training, health and safety, regulatory training, GMP, ISO9000 and HACCP training. More information about Iowa BioDevelopment can be found on our WEB page at http://www.ihcc.ia.us/Outreach/iabiodev.htm

Toxicology Consultant, Consultox Ltd.
I evaluated and summarized technical data and scientific literature. My reports were used for legal testimony in cases relating to occupational solvent exposure, environmental contamination and reports on the safety of dietary supplements and pharmaceutical drugs.

Visiting Research Professor, Darling Marine Center, University of Maine.
My main area of interest was the development of novel approaches with which to examine microbial communities. These studies have focused on root associated methanotrophic bacteria using Single Stranded Conformational Polymorphism Electrophoresis (SSCPE) and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) to obtain profiles of the diversity between 16s rRNA gene sequences amplified from mixed natural populations by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Methanotrophic bacteria play an important role in the global cycling of methane. In the course of these studies I have also become familiar with methods of examining microbial activity through their gas metabolism using techniques such as gas chromatography.

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Marine Science, University of South Florida,
The project 'Natural transformation in estuarine environments.' focused on the potential and significance of genetic transfer in nature using molecular biological techniques. The main achievement was the discovery that DNA can be altered as a result of transfer to indigenous microorganisms. This has important implications for both natural diversity and regulatory issues regarding biotechnology products. During the course of these studies I became highly familiar with radioactive and chemiluminescent probing, purification and quantification of DNA, Southern transfer, PCR amplification, cloning and sequencing. I have also gained considerable experience with environmental techniques such as vortex flow concentration of water samples, direct microscopic analysis, methods of bacteriophage isolation and culture, analysis of microbial activities (primary production and gene expression), construction of microcosms and in situ field experiments. My duties included management of the research project, training and supervision of both technical staff and students, preparation of grant proposals to funding agencies, assisting in management of the laboratory and participation on research cruises in the Gulf of Mexico.

Research Assistant, School of Pure & Applied Biology, University of Wales
Studied the effect of antiseptic solutions against catheter associated urinary tract infections.

Ph.D. Microbial Ecology, University of Wales College of Cardiff
Thesis : 'Natural Transformation In River Epilithon.' The project involved studying gene transfer between populations of bacteria in aquatic environments. The main achievement was the first reported evidence that natural transformation can occur in situ. During the course of these studies I arranged a three month visit to collaborate with Dr. Gregory Stewart at the University of South Florida. I also assisted in the supervision of several undergraduate honors students.
 

Iowa BioDevelopment (1997) Taught a variety of short customized courses and workshops on biotechnology, chemistry and computer related subjects e.g. "Introduction to food biotechnology" for Cargill Inc. I gained experience teaching to remote locations using a fiber-optic video conferencing system. I have also become familiar with the design and development of Computer Aided Learning tools including Web pages and computer based interactive programs on CD rom.

University of Maine (1995) Taught a short course of lectures and discussion groups "Molecular biological approaches to microbial ecology" - BM505. The course was available to undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Department of Microbiology and Department of Oceanography.

University of South Florida (1993-1995) I was responsible for the direct supervision of technical staff and summer interns. I also assisted in the guidance of Ph.D. and M.S. students.

University of Wales (1989-1993) I was partially responsible for the supervision of several undergraduate students carrying out honors projects and summer intern projects. I was responsible for supervising a microbial ecology field course. I gave introductory lectures on the use of computers in biology and taught computer based biostatistics and micro-modeling courses. I was a teaching assistant for a variety of microbiology and genetics practical classes.

Mary Immaculate High School (1992) Taught special needs children in biology, chemistry and general science.

I am a reviewer for FEMS Microbiology Ecology. I am a member of the Program Committee and Purchasing Committee for the Iowa Biotechnology Association. I am a member of the American Society for Microbiology and the Society for General Microbiology. I was invited to chair a special postgraduate session at the 1992 General Meeting of the Society for General Microbiology. As secretary of the Student Microbiology Society of the University of Wales, College of Cardiff (1991), I organized a series of lectures by visiting speakers, several educational and social events. I have presented talks and posters at several international conferences

I am highly computer literate and have experience with a wide range of application software including word processing, spreadsheet, statistical analysis, graphic presentation, programming languages, modeling and DNA analysis software for IBM-PC compatible and Apple Macintosh microcomputers. I am also highly familiar with resources and services available over the Internet.

Current interests include hiking, canoeing, cross country skiing and sailing. I am a member of an off-shore-sailing race team.

Letters of reference can be obtained from the following persons;

 
 

Laura Mosena  Economic Development Coordinator  Indian Hills Community College  525 Grandview Avenue  Ottumwa  IA 52501  USA  Tel: (515) 683-5212  Fax: (515) 683-5263

Prof. Gregory Stewart  Head of Department  Department of Biology  West Georgia College,  Carrollton  GA 330118  USA  Tel: (770) 836-6547  Fax: (770) 836-6633

Dr. Martin J. Day  Lecturer  Pure & Applied Biology  University of Wales, Cardiff  PO Box 915  Cardiff, CF1 3TL  UK  Tel: (1222) 874000  Fax: (1222) 874305

  

Williams, H.G., Garcia-Lara, J., Perkins, C. and Lilley, A. (1991) Can you do it naturally? Society For General Microbiology Quarterly, November, p76-77.

Williams, H.G., Day, M.D. & Fry, J.C. (1992) Detecting natural transformation of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, in situ, within natural epilithon of the River Taff. In: Release of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms - REGEMII. p253-255, Eds D.E.S. Stewart-Tull & M. Sussman, Plenum Press.

Williams, H.G., Day, M.D. & Fry, J.C. (1992) Natural transformation on agar and in river epilithon. In: Gene Transfers & Environment. p69-76 Ed. M.Gauthier. Springer Verlag.

Williams, H.G., (1993) Transfer of chromosomal and plasmid borne genes by natural transformation in river epilithon. Thesis - University of Wales, College of Cardiff.

Fry J.C., Day, M.J., and Williams, H.G. (1993) Plasmid and chromosomal gene transfer by transformation in the aquatic environment. In: DNA Transfer and Gene Expression in Microorganisms. p111-121, Eds. E. Balla, G. Berencsi & A. Szentirmai, Intercept, Andover.

Paul, J.H. & Williams, H.G. (1995) Natural transformation in aquatic environments. In: Molecular Microbial Ecology Manual, 5.1.1:1-22. Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Williams, H.G., Day, M.D., Fry, J.C. & Stewart G. (1996) Natural transformation in river epilithon. Applied & Environmental Microbiology. 62, 2994-2998.

Williams, H.G., Day, M.D. & Fry, J.C. (1996) Use of EDTA to prevent spontaneous cell-to-cell transformation provides a more accurate estimation of gene transfer frequencies. Biotechnology Techniques 10, 941-946.

Frischer, M.E., Williams, H.G., Bennison, B., Drake, G.R., Balknill, D.L. and Paul, J.H. (1996) The naturally transformable marine bacterium WJT-1C formally identified as ‘Vibrio’ is a Pseudomonad. Current Microbiology. 33,287-291.

Williams, H.G., Benstead, J., Frischer, M.E. & Paul J.H. (1997) Alteration in plasmid DNA following natural transformation to populations of marine bacteria. Molecular Marine Biology & Biotechnology 6, 242-251

Benstead, J., King, G.M. & Williams, H.G. Methanol promotes atmospheric methane oxidation by methanotrophic cultures and soils. (Submitted to Applied and Environmental Microbiology).