David M. Smith

David M. Smith is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Cornell University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on neural systems underlying learning and memory in rodents, employing techniques like neuronal recording, optogenetics, and chemogenetics. He directs the Laboratory of Neurobiology of Memory and Learning, investigating how brain regions contribute to memory formation and retrieval.

Academic interests include Neuroscience, Behavioral Neuroscience, and Cognitive Neuroscience. He teaches courses such as PSYCH 4230/6230 on hippocampal function and navigation, and supervises undergraduate and graduate research projects. Notable contributions include studies on retrosplenial cortex roles in spatial navigation and olfactory memory mechanisms.

His work integrates experimental and computational approaches, as seen in collaborations leveraging machine learning for clinical prediction (e.g., post-surgical complications). Despite no explicitly listed awards, his research has been highlighted in Cornell’s ‘New Frontier Grants’ initiative for innovative interdisciplinary efforts.