Dr Isobel Williams Isobel Williams, PhD

Dr Isobel Williams is a research associate at the Centre for Sex and Gender Equity in Health and Medicine, with a background in neuroscience and psychology. At the Centre, Isobel contributes to research examining how sex and gender are integrated into preclinical research and medical education. Her work includes developing practical tools to support researchers to appropriately incorporate sex into study design, statistical analysis, interpretation and reporting, as well as research investigating sex and gender knowledge, attitudes and curriculum coverage among Australian medical students. Isobel completed her PhD in behavioural neuroscience at UNSW Sydney, where she investigated the effects of prenatal opioid exposure on cognition, behaviour, neurodevelopment, immune function and gut microbiome health, as well as the potential therapeutic effects of the microbial metabolite butyrate. Her doctoral research incorporated preclinical models, biological and molecular measures, and the analysis of sex-related differences across outcomes. Across her work, Isobel is particularly interested in improving outcomes for populations that have historically been underserved by research. A common focus of her research is identifying practical and accessible ways to improve outcomes, whether through better research methods and education or through low-cost therapeutic approaches.