معرفی
Associate Professor Nicola J. Smith is an academic at UNSW Sydney School of Medical Sciences, specializing in G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and cardiovascular research. She holds an Associate Professor rank, having been promoted in 2022. Her work focuses on orphan receptors and their roles in cardiovascular health and disease, leading to the establishment of the Orphan Receptor Laboratory. She teaches pharmacology courses and actively engages in science communication and community outreach. Smith earned a PhD from the University of Melbourne and has held roles at institutions like the Baker Heart Research Institute and Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. She has received multiple awards, including the Young Tall Poppy Award, and leads grants such as the National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship. Her research emphasizes discovery science in cardiovascular pathways and drug targets.
Education: PhD (University of Melbourne, 2007), BSc (First Class) and BA (2001–2002). Her career includes postdoctoral work at the University of Glasgow and leadership roles at UNSW. She currently supervises multiple PhD and Honours students and has mentored researchers in her lab. Professional roles include Board membership at the Australasian Society for Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists.
Research Interests: Molecular pharmacology of GPCRs, orphan receptor discovery, cardiovascular disease mechanisms, and drug development. Her lab explores how orphan receptors contribute to health and disease, with a focus on metabolic and signaling pathways. She integrates experimental and computational methods to understand receptor function and therapeutic potential.
Awards and Grants: Over 10 awards, including early-career fellowships and recognition for teaching and community engagement. Active grants focus on GPCR signaling, cardiomyocyte physiology, and hypertension mechanisms. She has published extensively in journals like Cellular Signaling and Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Lab and Teaching: The Orphan Receptor Laboratory at UNSW Sydney drives innovative research in receptor biology. She teaches pharmacology courses, emphasizing molecular mechanisms and drug discovery. Her work bridges basic science and clinical applications, aiming to translate findings into therapeutic strategies.
