Randall "Scott" S. Williamson, PhD

Randall "Scott" S. Williamson, PhD

Associate Professor

Department:
SOD-Biomedical Mtrls Science

Email:
rwilliamson@umc.edu

Work Phone:
(601) 984-6170

Biography

Dr. Scott Williamson received his BS Degree from the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Mississippi State University, and then started his career path as a Materials Engineer in the Biomaterials Division of the Restorative Dentistry Department, which later became the Biomedical Materials Science (BMS) Department at UMMC. After the BMS graduate program was established, he became the first Master of Science graduate and subsequently completed his PhD in the same program. Dr. Williamson currently serves as an associate professor in the BMS department. He is also the Director of the BMS Shared Equipment Facility. Dr. Williamson’s research encompasses surface modifications of implant materials, including polymers and metals, material characterization, biomechanical testing of materials and implants, and failure analysis of metallic biomaterials, implants, and coatings. Dr. Williamson has been recognized for his excellence in research with the UMMC Excellence in Research Bronze and Silver Medallions. He has published 33 journal articles, one book chapter, and given over 100 conference presentations and invited lectures.  Dr. Williamson has served as a PI and Co-PI on numerous extramurally funded research projects, including both government and industry-sponsored grants. He has mentored approximately 40 graduate, dental, medical, master's, and undergraduate students. Additionally, he serves as an active member in the Society for Biomaterials (SFB), ASTM International, and the International Association for Dental Research (IADR).

Education

University of Mississippi Medical Center, PhD, Biomedical Materials Science2014
University of Mississippi Medical Center, MS, Biomedical Materials Science2010
Mississippi State University, BS, Biological Engineering - PreMed1999

Sponsored Program Funding

Extramural, Chemical Composition and Hardness Analyses of Titanium – 6 Aluminum – 4 Vanadium ELI Implant Materials and Various Surgical Tools, Zavation Medical Products, LLC02/2025 - 02/2026
Extramural, A Proposal to Evaluate the Corrosion Resistance of Dental Amalgams, Ivolcar Vivadent12/2024 - 12/2025
Extramural, Jabil TiMo 24-25, Jabil Healthcare12/2024 - 12/2025
Extramural, Surface Treatment of PEEK Polymers for Dental Implants, NIH, Mid-South REACH10/2024 - 01/2026
Extramural, Sulfonation Treatment of Dental and Medical Implants, State of Mississippi - IHL SMART ACT04/2024 - 04/2026
Extramural, Fatigue and Tensile Evaluations of Additively Manufactured Titanium and Stainless Steel Builds, Sandia National Laboratory07/2022 - 06/2023
Extramural, Fretting Fatigue Evaluation of Ring Plate and Distal Spanning Plate, Depuy Synthes, Johnson & Johnson11/2021 - 06/2025
Extramural, Optimization and Characterization of Pre-Osteoblast Seeded Bone Graft Materials, Zavation Medical Products, LLC09/2021 - 12/2023
Extramural, Sulfonation Treatment of PEEK and PEKK for Spinal Implants, Zavation Medical Products, LLC06/2021 - 12/2023
Extramural, Biocompatibility and Biomechanical Testing of a Titanium/PEEK Combination Spinal Cage, Zavation Medical Products, LLC10/2019 - 01/2020
Extramural, Characterization of the Foulants Formed on Water Filtration Systems, Professional Water Technologies03/2018 - 12/2024

Publications

Journal Article

Parekh A, Tahincioglu A, Walters C, Chisolm C, Williamson S, Janorkar AV, Roach MD, Citrus-Fruit-Based Hydroxyapatite Anodization Coatings on Titanium Implants. Materials (Basel, Switzerland), 2025 Mar 5;18(5)2025
Alberto LHJ, Griggs JA, Roach MD, Williamson RS, Chandran R, Priddy MW, Lu YJ, Bergin PF, Duan Y, Biomechanical assessment of zygomatic implants in clinical rehabilitation scenarios: A finite element and fatigue analysis. Dental materials : official publication of the Academy of Dental Materials, 2025 Jun;41(6):679-6892025
Alberto LHJ, Alamgir S, Griggs JA, Roach MD, Williamson RS, Chandran R, Priddy MW, Lu YJ, Bergin PF, Duan Y, Influence of connection design and material properties on stress distribution and fatigue lifetime of zygomatic implants: A finite element analysis. Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials, 2024 Dec;160:1067232024
Nobles KP, Janorkar AV, Williamson RS, Surface modifications to enhance osseointegration-Resulting material properties and biological responses. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials, 2021 Nov;109(11):1909-19232021
Jain S, Williamson RS, Janorkar AV, Griggs JA, Roach MD, Osteoblast response to nanostructured and phosphorus-enhanced titanium anodization surfaces. Journal of biomaterials applications, 2019 Sep;34(3):419-4302019
Jain S, Williamson RS, Marquart M, Janorkar AV, Griggs JA, Roach MD, Photofunctionalization of anodized titanium surfaces using UVA or UVC light and its effects against Streptococcus sanguinis. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials, 2018 Aug;106(6):2284-22942018
Roach MD, Williamson RS, Blakely IP, Didier LM, Tuning anatase and rutile phase ratios and nanoscale surface features by anodization processing onto titanium substrate surfaces. Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications, 2016 Jan 1;58:213-232016
Roach MD, Williamson RS, Thomas JA, Griggs JA, Zardiackas LD, A comparison of the stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of commercially pure titanium grade 4 in Ringer's solution and in distilled water: a fracture mechanics approach. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials, 2014 Jan;102(1):73-92014
Williamson RS, Disegi J, Griggs JA, Roach MD, Nanopore formation on the surface oxide of commercially pure titanium grade 4 using a pulsed anodization method in sulfuric acid. Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine, 2013 Oct;24(10):2327-352013
Zlowodzki M, Williamson S, Zardiackas LD, Kregor PJ, Biomechanical evaluation of the less invasive stabilization system and the 95-degree angled blade plate for the internal fixation of distal femur Fractures in human cadaveric bones with high bone mineral density. The Journal of trauma, 2006 Apr;60(4):836-402006
Zlowodzki M, Williamson S, Cole PA, Zardiackas LD, Kregor PJ, Biomechanical evaluation of the less invasive stabilization system, angled blade plate, and retrograde intramedullary nail for the internal fixation of distal femur fractures. Journal of orthopaedic trauma, 2004 Sep;18(8):494-5022004
Johnson HA, Williamson RS, Marquart M, Bumgardner JD, Janorkar AV, Roach MD, Photocatalytic activity and antibacterial efficacy of UVA-treated titanium oxides. Journal of biomaterials applications, 2020 Oct-Nov;35(4-5):500-514

Honors, Awards, and Recognition

Silver Level in the Excellence in Research Awards, University of Mississippi Medical Center2024
Bronze Level in the Excellence in Research Awards, University of Mississippi Medical Center2021
Robert E. Fairer Award for Outstanding Service and Active Participation in the Committee, ASTM F04 Medical and Surgical Materials and Devices2014
Graduate School Research Day Poster Award., University of Mississippi Medical Center2013
Paffenbarger 3rd place award, Academy of Dental Materials2011
ASTM International F04 Committee Young Researcher Award, ASTM F04 Medical and Surgical Materials and Devices2009

Professional Membership and Service

ASTM F04 Medical and Surgical Materials and Devices, Member, Medical and Surgical Device Specifications2006 - Present
Society for Biomaterials, Member2001 - Present

Committee Service

SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY-ADMISSIONS, Member2024 - Present
Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Curriculum Committee, Member2022 - Present
SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY-ADMISSIONS, Member2021 - 2024
SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY-STUDENT EVALUATION AND PROMOTION, Member2020 - 2023
MEDICAL CENTER-RADIATION/LASER SAFETY, Member2017 - 2021
SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY-CURRICULUM, Member2017 - 2020

Community Service

University of Mississippi Medical Center Project REACH, Davis Magnet Elementary School, Instructor07/2015 - Present
Science Fair Judge, Davis Magnet Elementary School, Judge07/2014 - Present
Give Kids’ a Smile Day and Dental Mission Week, Participant02/2012 - Present

Directed Student Learning

Dissertation Committee Member, Advised: Olivia Bridges2024 - Present
Dissertation Committee Chair, PAEK Polymer Development for Dental Implants
Advised: Shruti Chhabra
2024 - Present
Dissertation Committee Member, Surface Coatings for Long-Term 3D Culture of Adipocytes to Study Adipose Pathophysiology
Advised: Sheetal Chowdhury
2021 - Present
Dissertation Committee Member, Hydroxyapatite and Tricalcium Phosphate Coatings on Titanium by Anodization in Citrus-Based Electrolytes
Advised: Amisha Parekh
2021 - 2025
Dissertation Committee Member, Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis and Fatigue Lifetime Prediction of Zygomatic Implants
Advised: Laura Alberto
2020 - 2025
Dissertation Committee Chair, Optimization of Surface Modification Techniques to Enhance Biomedical Implant Applications of Polyetheretherketone
Advised: Kadie Nobles
2018 - 2022
Dissertation Committee Member, Surface Modification of Titanium to Enhance Photocatalytic and Antimicrobial Properties
Advised: Haden Johnson
2017 - 2021
Master's Thesis Committee Member, Polyelectrolyte Molecular Weight In Elastin-Like Polypeptide-Polyelectrolyte Amphipilic Coatings Affects Formation, Maturation, and Retention of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Spheriods
Advised: Sarah Fitzgerald
2016 - 2018
Master's Thesis Committee Member, Surface Modification of Titanium Using Anodization to Enhance Antimicrobial Properties and Osseointegration
Advised: Sakshi Jain
2015 - 2017