William Barry Wood III

William Barry Wood III (19 February 1938 – 9 May 2024) was an American molecular and developmental biologist who served as a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research focused on the genetic and molecular mechanisms of axis formation and patterning during early development, and he made influential contributions to the emerging field of molecular developmental biology. Wood was elected to the National Academy of Sciences at a notably young age (age 34) and received the NAS Award in Molecular Biology in recognition of his scientific achievements.

While a graduate student, Wood was also active in the Cambridge, Massachusetts folk music scene and appeared as "Bill Wood" on the 1960 album Folksingers 'Round Harvard Square, which featured early performances by Joan Baez. Wood's two sons, Oliver and Chris Wood, are professional musicians who perform as the roots-rock band The Wood Brothers.