Research Papers

My research in the Malik lab has been on rapid evolution of ApoL genes in primates. For a summary of my work, see www.apolgenes.com.

I graduated from Oregon State University in 1997 with degrees in computer science and business. After working for two years in the high-tech industry, I returned to academia to study the exciting field of molecular biology. In the summer of 2006, I received my Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Washington.

In graduate school I studied the genetic variation and adaptation of the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa These bacteria chronically infect the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis, a common genetic disease, and these infections often cause the premature death of patients in their mid-thirties. We found that the bacteria genetically adapt to the lung environment during these infections, particularly in response to antibiotic therapies and immune pressures. Several key bacterial genes acquire loss-of-function mutations during these infections, which may be useful for developing new therapies.

My post-doctoral work in the Malik Lab began in the summer of 2006. I have been investigating the rapid evolution of the Apolipoprotein L genes in primates. This gene family is important for resistance to Trypanosome infections, and likely has other unexplored roles in immune systems.

Outside the laboratory, I enjoy hiking with my wife Audrey, chasing my cat, riding my bike, reading the New Yorker, watching movies, doodling with my fish tank, and admiring the size of our backyard tomato plants.

1. E.E. Smith, D.G. Buckley, Z. Wu, C. Saenphimmachak, L.R. Hoffman, D.A. DŽArgenio, S.I. Miller, B.W. Ramsey, D.P. Speert, S.M. Moskowitz, J.L. Burns, R. Kaul, M.V. Olson. 2006. Genetic adaptation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the airways of cystic fibrosis patients. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 103(22): 8487-92. See accompanying commentary: 103(22):8305-6. PDF file 230 KB
2. E.E. Smith, E.H. Sims, D.H. Spencer, R. Kaul, M.V. Olson. 2005. Evidence for diversifying selection at the pyoverdine locus of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Journal of Bacteriology. 187(6): 2138-47. See accompanying commentary: 187(10): 3289-92. PDF file 527 KB
3. M.V. Olson, A. Kas, K. Bubb, R. Qui, E.E. Smith, R.K. Raymond, R. Kaul. 2004. Hypervariability, suppressed recombination and the genetics of individuality. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences. 359(1441): 129-40. PDF file 156 KB
4. D.H. Spencer, A. Kas, E. E. Smith, C. K. Raymond, E. H. Sims, M. Hastings, J. L. Burns, R. Kaul, and M. V. Olson. 2003. Whole-genome sequence variation among multiple isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Journal of Bacteriology. 185(4): 1316-25. PDF file 1308 KB

 Eric Smith