Amy H. Smith

Amy H. Smith is a Collegiate Assistant Professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences at Virginia Tech’s Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Her work focuses on public health issues including youth tobacco use, opioid addiction in Appalachian communities, and cancer prevention. She holds a PhD in Education/Curriculum and Instruction/Health Promotions (2007) and an MS in Health and Physical Education (2001), both from Virginia Tech, along with a BA in English/Communications (1978) from the University of Miami.

Her research interests address critical community health challenges:

• Youth tobacco use prevention
• Cancer causes in Appalachia
• Opioid addiction’s sociological impacts
• Lifestyle-cancer correlations

Recent publications explore substance use and risky behaviors among college students (College Student Journal, 2023) and HIV antibody testing predictors (American Journal of Sexuality Education, 2023). She has led projects like the Comprehensive Cancer Needs Assessment for Mount Rogers Health District (2011–2012) funded by the Virginia Tobacco Commission, and conducted qualitative analyses on cancer risk perceptions in Southwest Virginia (2011).

Awarded certifications include CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) and Rotary International fellowships. She has held adjunct roles at Virginia Highlands Community College and previously served as principle investigator for the Tazewell County Cancer Project (2013–2016).