Dr. Smith holds a Ph.D. in Immunology and Infectious Diseases and a Master's in Public Health 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 includes a sponsored research project to validate a handheld bacterial fluorescence imaging device to aid in point of care diagnostics of chronic wounds for clinical use. She is also a Faculty Fellow for the TrUE Scholars Undergraduate Research Program, and conducts program assessment and education pedagogical research. Dr. Smith teaches Honors College courses on microbiology, public health and epidemiology.

Education

— Ph.D. in Immunology and Infectious Diseases

— Master's in Public Health from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

— Bachelor's of Science in Microbiology from Texas Tech University