Ellen Smit

Ellen Smit, PhD, RD is a Professor at Oregon State University's College of Health, School of Nutrition and Public Health. Her research focuses on nutritional epidemiology, particularly diet, metabolism, and physical activity in relation to chronic diseases and HIV infection. She has conducted studies using cohort designs, multi-center analyses, and national databases like NHANES. Dr. Smit's work addresses environmental exposures (PAHs, arsenic), food security, and public health interventions. She has been affiliated with OSU since at least 2019 and is actively involved in graduate education (accepting MPH students).

Her research highlights include linking gas stove use to childhood asthma, investigating frailty and food insecurity in older adults, and studying the impact of environmental chemicals on immune function. She has authored over 110 publications and contributed to national health initiatives. Awards and grants are not explicitly listed but implied through her prolific research output.

Dr. Smit collaborates with institutions like the NIH and has advised on studies involving vitamin D, metabolic syndrome, and sensory impairment. Her work emphasizes translational research to improve population health outcomes.