FCAI Spotlight: The Many Layers of Zack Williams by Hari Srinivasan
This article is part of a series highlighting the work and people associated with the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation (FCAI) at Vanderbilt University. The Frist Center brings together engineers, business scholars, researchers, and self-advocates to develop solutions for maximizing neurodiverse talent. With its focus on technology and innovation, the Center is redefining how neurodiversity is understood and supported in the workforce and beyond.
Today, we turn the spotlight on Zack, a Frist Center affiliate and who has just completed his MD/PhD at Vanderbilt. In this interview, Zack shared insights into his research and his view of the world.
When I first visited Vanderbilt as a prospective graduate student, Zack Williams was the one who showed me around. He gave me the rundown on everything from the neuroscience program to the quirks of living in Nashville. “Always carry an umbrella in your backpack,” he advised. “You never know when it’s going to rain.” It was practical advice, but it also hinted at the kind of person Zack is—someone who thinks ahead and shares his insights generously.
I had already known Zack from our work on the INSAR Autistic Researchers Committee, where his leadership stood out. Like me, Zack is also autistic, a fact that shapes both his research and his advocacy. His lived experience provides a unique lens through which he approaches his work, blending personal insights with scientific rigor. Last year, I attended his dissertation defense and watched him expertly unpack years of research into sound sensitivity in autism. It was equal parts rigorous and relatable. Zack has now completed the med school portion of his program, earning his MD with the PhD. What do we call him now – “Doctor-Doctor Williams?” He is next headed to UCLA for a research track residency in Psychiatry.
An Early Diagnosis and Supportive Start
Zack Williams’ journey began with an Asperger’s diagnosis at age four. “My mom had noticed developmental differences early on, including motor delays. “Fortunately, my aunt, a speech-language pathologist, helped us navigate the process,” Zack shared.
The insights from Zack’s diagnostician were progressive for its time. “They told my parents, ‘Zack is a smart kid with obsessive interests. Let him pursue them—it’s what will make him happiest. But also, help him build the skills he needs to succeed in society.’ It was a message that struck a thoughtful balance between helping me adapt to societal expectations and respecting who I was,” he explained.
A Passion for Neuroscience and Psychiatry
Zack’s introduction to research was far from inspiring. “I spent a summer during high school spreading yeast on plates in a wet lab,” he recalled. “It was boring, and I thought, ‘Research is horrible. Why would anyone want to do this?’”
His perspective shifted dramatically during his undergraduate years. “It wasn’t until Yale that I found my passion. I worked in Jamie McPartland’s autism lab, using EEG to study autistic individuals. That’s when I realized neuroscience could be about people, not just yeast,” he shared. “I’ve always loved statistics,” he added. “When I realized I could combine that with neuroscience and psychology, I was sold.”
So, he decided to pursue a dual career as an autism researcher and clinician, “I enjoy clinical research, but I’ve always liked the medicine aspect,” Zack reflected.
Zack’s decision to pursue psychiatry stems from a desire to fill a critical gap in autism care. “There’s a lack of psychiatrists who specialize in autism,” he explained. “Autistic people often see psychiatrists, not for autism itself, but for co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression. We need better care tailored to their unique needs.”
He was particularly inspired by his time at the Yale Child Study Center, where he witnessed collaboration between psychologists and psychiatrists. “At Yale, it felt like a team effort. But outside of that environment, I realized how rare this collaboration is. Psychiatry needs to engage more with the autistic community.”
The Science of Sound Sensitivity
Zack’s primary research focus at Vanderbilt examined sound sensitivity, a phenomenon deeply intertwined with the lives of many autistic people. “A lot of autistic people are sensitive to sound, and that’s something we’ve known for a really long time,” he explained. “But what does that actually mean? What’s going on in the brain when someone experiences this?”
Zack’s research has revealed surprising insights. “One of the biggest things to come out of my work is that the sound sensitivities you see in autism and non-autism are largely the same,” he said. “Autistic people might experience earlier onset sound sensitivity, but the brain mechanisms seem universal.”
He also emphasizes that sound sensitivity is not a monolith. “Some people are sensitive to loud sounds—hyperacusis—while others have specific triggers that evoke strong emotional reactions—misophonia,” he shared.
Explaining hyperacusis, Zack said, “For someone with hyperacusis, a car passing by or the clinking of silverware might be unbearably loud.” Misophonia, on the other hand, is about the meaning of a sound: “It’s not about loudness. It’s about specific sounds—like chewing—that trigger an almost allergic reaction in the brain.”
Innovating Measurement Tools
Zack’s focus on refining research methods has been critical to his work. “People hadn’t been measuring sound sensitivity very well,” he explained. “One of the ways we innovated was by developing tools that distinguish between types of sound sensitivity. That’s key to better diagnosis and treatment.”
One of Zack’s biggest frustrations has been navigating the complexities of copyright restrictions in psychometric testing. “I didn’t set out to become an expert in copyright law, but here I am,” he joked. “If I want to use just one question from someone’s questionnaire, I have to jump through countless hoops or rewrite it entirely—it’s absurd.” He readily offers to share his detailed 10-page report on copyright in psychometric testing, adding, “I now know way more about this than I ever wanted to.”
Broadening the Scope
Beyond sound sensitivity, Zack collaborated with Dr. Kate Gotham (now Assistant Professor at Rowan University, New Jersey) to explore mood disorders in autistic adults. Together, they’ve uncovered predictors of depression, including rumination and social ostracism. They’ve also adapted research tools to better suit autistic populations.
“Many mental health questionnaires weren’t designed with autistic adults in mind,” Zack said. “We worked on making these tools more accurate, so they reflect what’s actually happening in this population.”
This work reflects Zack’s broader vision: “Whether it’s improving clinical care, creating better measurement tools, or informing policy, it’s about making a tangible difference for autistic people.”
Advocacy Meets Research
For Zack, being autistic is not just a personal identity—it’s a lens through which he approaches research and advocacy. “I was an autistic person before I was a clinician or psychologist,” he explained. “That dual perspective allows me to bridge gaps between lived experience and research.”
This insider perspective is rare in the field. “Most autism researchers aren’t autistic,” he said. “The field is dominated by clinician-scientists studying autistic people from the outside. But I’m an insider too, and that shapes how I ask questions and interpret findings.”
Zack has played a key role in creating platforms that amplify autistic voices in research. “I helped build the AIR-P Autistic Researchers Review Board and was one of the earliest members of the INSAR Autistic Researchers Committee,” he shared. “These initiatives taught me what participatory research really means—how it differs from research done on autistic people.”
One initiative he is particularly proud of involved collaborating with a group of autism advocates and Autism Speaks to establish a paid fellowship for graduate student researchers. Reflecting on the impact of this work, Zack added, “The organization even redesigned their entire set of research priorities based on what we, as autistic advocates, recommended. It started as part of this initiative, but they found our priorities so compelling that they adopted them more broadly.”
The Frist Center: A Catalyst for Cultural Change
For Zack, the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation has been more than an academic home—it has been a catalyst for cultural change at Vanderbilt. “The Frist Center has transformed the campus culture around autism and neurodiversity,” he said. “It’s pushing us to see autism not just as a medical issue but as part of life—something that needs services, employment initiatives, and educational opportunities.”
Zack credits the Center with providing invaluable opportunities, from funding an adult diagnostic study to supporting the Vanderbilt Autism and Neurodiversity Alliance (VANA). “The diagnostic study allowed us to offer free autism assessments to adults in Nashville—a service that’s hard to find—and gave me critical clinical training,” he said.
The “Cool” and “Uncool” of Being Autistic
When asked what was cool and uncool about his autism, Zack offered an honest perspective. “I can appreciate things that maybe other people just can’t or won’t. It’s a blessing and a curse, but it lets me have experiences that others might never have,” he shared. This passion often led to deeply fulfilling moments, like spending the entire day debugging code. “I get jazzed about that and it’s probably not my wife’s favorite thing for me to do that day. But that’s ok because it makes me happy that sometimes my favorite thing to do is also my job.”
Social interactions and repetitive behaviors fell into the uncool zone. “I don’t get to just read your facial expression and know how you feel. I have to backdoor my way into social situations,” he admitted. Managing stress-induced habits, like hair twirling, is another challenge. “Sometimes I twirl it so much that I go bald in that spot. I try to stop, but I can’t always control it, and that can be really frustrating.”
Despite these difficulties, Zack has embraced self-acceptance. “I can either sit there and say, ‘It sucks to be autistic,’ or I can live with it and deal with the way I am,” he explained. To him, autism is a neutral part of identity: “It’s okay to like your disability, dislike it, or feel neutral about it. None of those perspectives are morally superior—they’re just part of the human experience.”
Mentorship and Flexibility: Key Support Systems
For Zack, mentorship and supportive relationships have been instrumental in his academic and professional success. He credits his PI, Dr. Tiffany Woynaroski, for creating an environment where he could thrive. “Tiffany adapted to my needs in ways that were phenomenal. She didn’t expect me to work like everyone else and created a system where I could thrive,” Zack said.
One example of this adaptability was the flexibility to work at his own pace and focus on his strengths. “I have a different rule book. Once people learn it, they realize we can collaborate really well. Mentors who are open to this make all the difference,” he elaborated.
Supportive colleagues have also played a vital role. “I’ve had colleagues who take my info-dump emails, sort through them, and provide feedback on what’s feasible. That kind of support is invaluable,” Zack shared.
These experiences highlight the importance of building inclusive academic environments that value neurodiverse talent. “When you’re autistic, it’s not just about finding the right mentor—it’s about finding someone who is willing to learn how to support you in ways that might be unconventional,” Zack emphasized.
Find Your Path: Zack’s Advice for Aspiring Researchers
For Zack, finding the right environment is essential for success. “Find your people. The right mentor and program can make all the difference,” he advised. He emphasized that not every institution is equally accommodating and stressed the importance of choosing the right fit.
Mentorship, he believes, is a cornerstone of success. “Having mentors who are willing to meet with you, hear out your ideas—no matter how outlandish they may seem—and help you refine them is invaluable. They’re worth their weight in gold.”
A Vision for the Future
Zack’s journey is far from over. With his PhD completed and his medical training nearing its end, he is preparing to embark on a research-track psychiatry residency. “Once I’m done with my residency and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry, I can finally get a professorship at a medical school,” he said. “Then I can focus on integrating research, teaching, and clinical work.”
Through his research, advocacy, and mentorship, Zack Williams is not just advancing the field of autism science—he’s reshaping it.
About the Author:
Hari Srinivasan is a PhD Candidate in Neuroscience at Prof. Mark Wallace’s Multisensory Research Lab. His research draws on his lived experiences with autism and ADHD and he investigates sensorimotor integration in autism, with a focus on the neural representation of peripersonal space. Hari is a NISE fellow at the Frist Center, a NSF Graduate Research Fellow, PD Soros Fellow and recipient of Vanderbilt Career Luminary Impact Award and the AUCD Young Professional Award. He also writes extensively about autism and disability for major media including Time, Newsweek, Fortune and Psychology Today.
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