Daniel L. Smith Jr.

Daniel L. Smith Jr. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), part of the School of Health Professions. He holds concurrent roles as a Scientist or Associate Scientist in multiple UAB centers including the Integrative Center for Aging Research, Comprehensive Diabetes Center, and Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC). His research focuses on the interplay between nutrition, metabolism, and aging, particularly exploring calorie restriction mimetics, obesity, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Smith earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biochemistry from the University of Virginia in 2007 and completed postdoctoral training in Nutrition and Aging at UAB.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biochemistry, University of Virginia (2007)
• M.S. in Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Virginia (2004)
• B.S. in Biology, Bob Jones University (1997)

Research Interests:

• Calorie restriction mechanisms and mimetics (e.g., acarbose, ketone esters)
• Metabolic pathways in aging and disease (obesity, mitochondrial dysfunction)
• Body composition analysis in diverse populations (Hispanic women, rodents, zebrafish)
• Interactions between diet, microbiome, and healthspan

Grants & Awards:

• Lead investigator on multiple NIH-funded grants (NIA, NIDDK) totaling over $25M
• Recipient of Outstanding Academic Mentor Award (2023)
• Principal on UAB NORC core leadership (Animal Models Core, Energetics Core)

Teaching & Mentorship:

• Course instructor for advanced nutrition science (e.g., Body Composition/Energy Metabolism)
• Advisor to over 15 doctoral students since 2020
• Chair of multiple graduate committees including curriculum and admissions

Labs & Collaborations: Active in the UAB Nathan Shock Center for Comparative Energetics of Aging, leading multi-species research across yeast, rodents, and human clinical trials.