Carolyn L Smith

Carolyn L Smith, Ph.D., serves as Dean at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and holds the Professor title in the Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology and Department of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine. She has been instrumental in graduate education since the 1990s, including roles as Assistant Dean for Curriculum and Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Education & Academic Program Development.

• Education: Ph.D. in Biochemistry (University of Western Ontario, 1992), B.S. in Biochemistry (University of Toronto, 1986)

Her research focuses on molecular pharmacology of estrogen receptors, regulation of gene expression by coactivators/corepressors, and steroid hormone action in breast/urothelial carcinomas, with particular interest in tamoxifen resistance mechanisms. She has directed the Tissue and Cell Culture Core facility since 1994, mentoring 6 Ph.D. students and 24 postdoctoral fellows.

Scientific Recognition:

• Nichols Institute New Investigator Award
• North American Menopause Society SERM Research Award
• University of Western Ontario Collip Silver Medal for Medical Sciences
• Molecular & Cellular Biology Department Award of Excellence in Education & Service

As an academic administrator, she has driven curriculum innovation, program assessment, and professional development initiatives for graduate students and postdoctoral trainees. Her laboratory contributions include 3D cell culture model development and translational research on hormone-dependent cancers.