Otto Williams, a student in the Frederick Honors College, was awarded the 2026 Undergraduate Student Summer Research Award. Led by project mentor Chris Kargl, assistant professor in the Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS), Williams examined the biological impacts of resistance training through conducting research at the Neuromuscular Research Laboratory (NMRL).
The award, established by Allen and Nell McMurtry in 2019, provides funds annually to any University of Pittsburgh undergraduate student working with or being mentored by an SHRS faculty member to expand their research opportunities on a topic of their choice that addresses a social or disability problem in the health, assistive technology and rehabilitation fields. The student is granted $5,000 for the summer to devote toward their project and to support living expenses and research related travel.
Williams will graduate with a Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil) in December and intends to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in molecular biology afterward.
Read on to learn more about Williams’ research and his time collaborating with SHRS faculty.
Passion for Research
What inspired you to obtain a Bachelor of Philosophy?
I was inspired to study this discipline coming into Pitt with a love for the life sciences and with the intentions of heading to medical school. After gaining more research experience and working at the NMRL, I pivoted my track and began pursuing a BPhil with the intention of going on to pursue a PhD.
What is the purpose of your research project?
Currently, I am working on a research project under the guidance of Dr. Christopher Kargl that examines the biological pathways that resistance training gives rise to within our bodies. Although it is known that exercise is certainly beneficial for our overall health and wellness, the exact pathways and molecules that mediate these benefits remain somewhat unknown. By conducting my research, I hope to begin to uncover these relatively unexplored pathways in the hopes of contributing to the fields of molecular biology and human physiology.
Why did you choose to investigate this particular topic?
I really like to say that this research and topic chose me, rather than the other way around. What started out as simply trying to gain research exposure to check the box for medical school applications led to gaining a true passion for a field of science that never even crossed my mind before starting at the NMRL.
The field of exercise science, especially the molecular mechanisms behind it all, is such a valuable field in a world that values injury prevention, efficient rehabilitation, human performance and graceful aging. The things we study don’t just apply to athletes, members of the military and health enthusiasts—they truly are applicable to everyone and we’ve only just begun to uncover all the possible applications. Ultimately, that is what makes me so passionate about this field and the things I can contribute to it as I progress in my scientific career.
Receiving the Award
What does this award mean to you?
This award holds significant importance for me and has effectively alleviated substantial financial burdens during my final semester at Pitt. It has enabled me to concentrate on my academic pursuits and research endeavors as I approach the culmination of my degree and the completion of the BPhil writing process. I extend my sincere gratitude to the McMurtrys once again for their generous gift. As we all face numerous challenges, I believe I speak for all recipients of this award when I express that it has been a profound blessing.
Mentorship Impact
Could you speak about Chris Kargl’s mentorship and how he was helpful to your research?
Chris has been instrumental in my success and passion for research. When I initially met Chris, I lacked substantial research experience. However, he recognized my potential and challenged me as I embarked on a deeper exploration of serious research. One of the ways Chris has facilitated my growth in this field is his approach to mentoring others. Chris possesses a unique ability to assist individuals in discovering the answers to their own questions.
I frequently sought his guidance and direction, and through his carefully crafted questions, I was able to establish connections and solve problems independently. This mentorship, coupled with his extensive experience in the field, has significantly enhanced my knowledge, particularly when compared to my research experience prior to collaborating with Chris. I am profoundly grateful for the mentorship I have received from Chris and all of the faculty at the NMRL.
“Otto is a pleasure to have around the laboratory and has shown great aptitude and curiosity for the research process during his time at the Neuromuscular Research Laboratory,” Kargl said about his work with Williams and the dedication Williams had to the research they were conducting. “For his summer research experience he stepped into a multi-year randomized controlled exercise training intervention program and helped to design a study looking at molecular factors that are involved with exercise adaptations. It is no small feat to step into a large and ongoing project like this, but Otto has excelled at fully immersing himself in the research. Otto’s work ethic during his time at our lab stands out immediately and he has demonstrated a strong ability to navigate through each part of the research process that has been thrown at him.”
Future Plans
What are your future career goals?
Upon graduating in December, I intend to pursue a doctoral degree in the biological sciences or a related field. I am eager to remain at Pitt and continue collaborating with the esteemed faculty members who contribute to our academic community. The future holds promising possibilities.
How will you be expanding upon your research with this additional degree?
The scientific community has made significant progress over the years, yet there remains a vast expanse of knowledge that is still unexplored across various disciplines. I aspire to contribute to the next generation of thinkers and researchers who will further fill these gaps, particularly within the biological sciences. I firmly believe that completing a PhD will provide me with a solid foundation to achieve this objective and enable me to delve deeply into a field that I am truly passionate about.
“We are excited that Otto will be continuing his summer research project and has plans to include it as part of his Bachelor of Philosophy thesis and will be presenting some of his work at multiple internal and external conferences this fall,” shared Kargl. “We are thankful that Otto got an opportunity, through the SHRS Summer Research Award, to spend his summer with us.”
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