Gregory A Smith

Gregory A. Smith, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology-Immunology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. His laboratory focuses on understanding neuroinvasive herpesviruses, particularly their molecular mechanisms of propagation and nervous system dissemination. Research combines live-cell microscopy, molecular genetics, and neuronal cell biology to study viral particle dynamics and axon transport. Key goals include identifying antiviral targets and engineering viral vectors for gene delivery. Smith holds a BA from UC Santa Barbara (1991), a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania (1996), and postdoctoral training at Princeton University (2001).

Education:

• BA: University of California, Santa Barbara (1991)
• PhD: University of Pennsylvania (1996)
• Postdoctoral Fellow: Princeton University, Virology (2001)

Research Interests: Neuroinvasion mechanisms, herpesvirus pathogenesis, axon transport dynamics, viral capsid assembly, molecular interactions in neuronal infection, and antiviral strategies.

Awards:

• Fellow, Henry Kunkel Society (2019)
• Cold Sore Research Foundation Fellowship (2008)
• Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigators Award (2005)
• Schweppe Foundation Career Development Award (2003)

Professional Roles: Editor for mSphere and Journal of Virology; Scientific Advisor for the International Herpesvirus Workshop; Founding member of the Chicago Area Virology Association.

Affiliations: Northwestern University Institute of Neuroscience, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Advising: Mentors students including Osefame Ewaleifoh (PhD/MPH), investigating HSV-1 encephalitis susceptibility and viral transport energetics.

Labs/Teams: Directs a lab studying herpesvirus-cell interactions, with collaborations in gene therapy and vaccine development.