Derrick Williams

Working at KEEN Greater DC was a constant reminder of how biology plays out in real life, especially when it comes to genetics and neurodevelopment. Working with individuals with Williams syndrome which is a condition caused by a microdeletion on chromosome 7 made standard biological concepts like phenotype and sensory integration completely concrete. Because of the unique genetic profile, participants with Williams syndrome often have an extraordinarily social and empathetic nature, but they can also be hyper-sensitive to sound and visual overstimulation. This was why we could not photograph the children during activities; flash photography and visual cues can trigger intense sensory overload or distress in neurodivergent participants whose nervous systems process external stimuli differently. Adapting to those boundaries taught me how crucial environmental factors are when interacting with diverse neurological profiles, directly connecting complex genetics and neurobiology to compassionate, real-world care.

During our community service day, our group focused on cleaning up litter and debris around the facility and the surrounding neighborhood. While collecting discarded plastics and waste, the project tied directly back to core ecological principles we’ve been discussing in BIO 101. Removing non-biodegradable waste prevents microplastics and toxins from leaching into local soil and runoff, which disrupts foundational microbial communities and plant health. Furthermore, improper waste accumulation accelerates greenhouse gas emissions during degradation and incineration, fueling broader patterns of climate change. Seeing firsthand how localized refuse impacts soil ecology and atmospheric carbon cycles made environmental biology feel immediate and actionable, reinforcing that small-scale remediation is essential to mitigating larger climate impacts.