معرفی
Dr. Misty Smith is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Utah's School of Dentistry and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Her research focuses on epilepsy and antiseizure drug development, particularly investigating cannabidiol interactions, behavioral comorbidities of epilepsy, and neuropeptide roles in neurological conditions. She leads NIH-funded studies in the Anticonvulsant Drug Development Program, ensuring regulatory standards and preclinical model rigor. Dr. Smith's work emphasizes therapeutic potential evaluation using isobolographic analysis and pharmacokinetic studies.
Educations:
- BS in Biology, Muskingum University, 1996
- PhD in Physiology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 2001
Research Interests:
Dr. Smith's research integrates behavioral pharmacology with preclinical epilepsy models to address comorbidities like neuropsychiatric conditions. She explores cannabidiol's efficacy in combination therapies and investigates neuropeptide systems (e.g., neurotensin, galanin) and steroid hormones' roles in seizure modulation. Her work highlights sex differences in neurological responses and drug interactions to improve treatment safety and efficacy.
Key Awards:
- Targeted Research Initiative for Cannabidiol in Epilepsy (TRICE) Award (2015)
- Distinguished Doctorate Alumni Award (2013)
- Elected Member-At-Large of ASPET's Neuropharmacology Division (2012)
Grants & Funding:
- Isobolographic Analyses of Cannabidiol Interactions with Antiseizure Drugs (Epilepsy Foundation, 2014–2016)
- Multiple grants focused on epilepsy drug screening and cannabidiol's mechanisms
Labs & Teams: Core member of the NIH-sponsored Anticonvulsant Drug Development (ADD) Program, coordinating preclinical research and regulatory compliance.
