Gareth Williams is a former Professor and Dean of Medicine, internationally
recognised for his research into diabetes and obesity. He's published 200
scientific papers and written or edited over 20 medical textbooks, including the
prize-winning Textbook of Diabetes.
He’s also written five books for general readers: Angel of Death: the story of
smallpox (2010, shortlisted for the Wellcome Medical Book Prize), Paralysed with
Fear: the story of polio (2013), A Monstrous Commotion: the mysteries of Loch
Ness (2015), Unravelling the Double Helix: the lost heroes of DNA (2019), and
The Impossible Bomb: the hidden story of British scientists and the race to create
nuclear weapons (2025). These have led to prestigious scientific and medical
lectures and to numerous literary festivals including Hay, Edinburgh and
Wigtown. His media appearances include The Today Programme, PM and The
Briefing Room on Radio 4, The Forum (BBC World Service) and The Mary Berry
Story, The Georgians (Lucy Worsley) and The Battle to Beat Polio (Stephanie
Flanders).