Joseph T. Smith Jr., PhD

Joseph T. Smith Jr., PhD, joined the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences as an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology in 2024.

He earned his doctoral degree in in biomedical science (molecular parasitology) from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, and conducted his postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Laurie K. Read, PhD, professor of microbiology and immunology.

When he was interviewing for a position in Read’s lab, Smith was initially interested in another project. However, the opportunity to study RNA editing in the infective stage that is passed on to humans piqued his interest.

What led you to choose UB for your postdoctoral work?

My experience as an undergraduate researcher and graduate student focused on protein biochemistry in the mitochondria of parasites. I had become fascinated with mitochondrial biology and parasite biology.

However, during my PhD studies, I worked with trypanosomes which have fascinating RNA biology. I had little experience with RNA, and I wanted to gain experience with different techniques but wanted to stick with trypanosomes.

Fortunately, I met Dr. Read when she gave a seminar in the department and instantly clicked.

What qualities make Laurie Read such an effective mentor?

Dr. Read was a great mentor for me because she made sure that she understood my ultimate career goal and held me accountable for the things that were my responsibility to set me up for success.

She had a talent for maintaining a great mix of being a tough leader to push me scientifically and a personal advocate who checked in on my mental health.

Her style has been a big influence on how I want to lead my lab team, and I hope to honor her investment into me.

What are the main research focuses of your lab?

My lab focuses on studying the regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics, metabolism, and differentiation of parasitic trypanosomes that cause African sleeping sickness and American sleeping sickness.

Currently, our lab is investigating the discrete signaling pathways of two parasite kinases (RDK1 and RDK2) that control distinct aspects of mitochondrial function of Trypanosoma brucei parasites during mammalian infection.

How has the collaborative atmosphere at the Jacobs School helped you as a junior faculty member?

The faculty in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology have been incredible colleagues.

The faculty contributed to my training as a postdoc at UB and helped instill the confidence and skills that I needed to be successful as an independent PI.

This collaborative environment was a huge factor in deciding which faculty offer to accept when the time came.

Now, as an assistant professor, the faculty continues to be incredibly supportive in helping me navigate the early stages of setting up my long-term research program.