Department of Honors Studies. 

Dr. Smith holds a PhD in Immunology and Molecular Microbiology from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and a Bachelor’s of Science in Microbiology from Texas Tech University. Her doctoral work focused on polymicrobial interactions and biofilm-associated chronic infections. She is a certified technologist in microbiology for clinical diagnostics, M(ASCP)^CM, and has experience working in a hospital laboratory setting. Prior to joining the faculty at Texas Tech, she worked at Research and Testing Laboratory in Lubbock, Texas, a biotechnology company focused on next-generation sequencing for molecular characterization of microorganisms. Her research interests include developing a diagnostic panel for chronic polymicrobial infections for clinical use. Dr. Smith teaches Honors College courses on microbiology, public health and epidemiology and bacterial biofilms.