Bradley D. Smith

Bradley D. Smith is the Emil T. Hofman Professor of Science and Director of the Notre Dame Integrated Imaging Facility at the University of Notre Dame, College of Science. He has been affiliated with the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry since 1991. His research focuses on developing molecular imaging probes for detecting cellular processes in living systems, including tumors and bacterial infections. Smith teaches organic chemistry at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University (1988)
• B.Sc. in Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Australia (1983)

Research Interests:

Smith's interdisciplinary work combines organic synthesis with biochemical/biophysical methods to create tools for imaging and diagnostics. Key areas include:

• Supramolecular chemistry for targeted drug delivery
• Near-infrared fluorescent dyes (e.g., squaraine-rotaxanes)
• Photothermal therapy applications
• Bioimaging in preclinical models

His lab develops probes to detect dying cells, tumors, and infections, with potential clinical applications in surgery and drug discovery.

Publications & Trends:

Recent work emphasizes:

• Fluorescent probes for bacterial infection imaging
• Hypoxia detection in tumor spheroids
• Stabilized NIR dyes for bioimaging
• Wireless phototherapy devices

Publications span Chemical Science, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, and Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry.

Awards:

• 2018 Harold Kohn Endowed Lectureship
• 2012 Royal Society of Chemistry Fellowship
• 2000 Kaneb Teaching Award

Advising & Labs:

Smith advises a large interdisciplinary group (see group photos for members). His lab collaborates on projects involving:

• Nano drug delivery systems
• Enzyme-responsive imaging agents
• Light-induced therapies

Labs include the Notre Dame Integrated Imaging Facility, focusing on translational imaging technologies.