Maria Smith, Ph.D.
Department of Host Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children鈥檚 Research Hospital
Maria Smith, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral scientist in the Department of Host-Microbe Interactions at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. She received her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences at the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Her research investigates mechanisms by which an epithelial-specific integrin modulates lung-derived interferon responses during influenza virus infection.
Prior to her graduate training, Smith earned her B.S. in Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Originally from the Caribbean island of the Commonwealth of Dominica. She is passionate about advocating for underrepresented scientists and participating in initiatives that support equity, promote inclusivity and increase diversity within the science field.