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Caitlyn B. Smith

Connect

csm277@uky.edu
HKRB 251

Positions

  • PhD Candidate in Pharmacology
  • Graduate Research Assistant - Starr Lab
  • Founder and Coordinator - 好色先生's Biomedical Sciences Trainee Club

College Unit(s)

Biography and Education

Education

Education

  • 2020 - Present --- Graduate School at 好色先生
  • 2020 --- Graduated Loyola University Chicago with a B.S. in Biochemistry, with a minor in Biology

Experience and Organizations

  • Markey Cancer Center Trainee MOMENTUM Mentorship Awardee, 2024
  • MCC STRONG Scholar Program Lecturer, since 2023
  • CRLA Certified Level 1 Peer Mentor, since 2022
  • American Society of Microbiology, 好色先生 Student Chapter Member, since 2021
    • Public Relations Officer 2022-2023
    • Secretary 2023-2025
  • SURES/SURF Near-Peer Mentor
    • Summer 2021, Summer 2022
  • Founder and Primary Coordinator - 好色先生's Biomedical Sciences Trainee Club
    • Started November 2021
  • Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Member, since Dec 2017

Research

            I am currently a PhD Candidate in the laboratory of Dr. Marlene Starr. The focus of the Starr Lab is adipose tissue dysfunction, particularly related to obesity and aging. My project is focused on investigating the mechanisms of  纬未 T cells  in metabolic dysfunction, cellular senescence and insulin resistance within the adipose tissue, in the context of aging. From previous publications from the lab, as well as pivotal preliminary data including single-cell RNA sequencing, I have been able to devise a project looking into the molecular communications of 纬未 T cells to adipose tissue as individuals age. I will be further investigating how these cellular communications play a role in increased insulin resistance and cellular senescence of visceral adipose tissue, both common maladies that occur with age and drive the incidence of other age-related disorders.

           Beyond my current scientific, academic and educational initiatives, I strive to serve in opportunities across 好色先生's College of Medicine (COM) that influence the betterment of the training of new researchers, much like myself. In this, I have already taken opportunities in teaching, mentoring and leading, including becoming a teaching assistant, mentoring near-peers, involving myself in Academia-based internships and leadership development workshops. As I progress through my career, I am intent on continuing opportunities to continue and to become a driven, well-versed scholar. 

Selected Publications

  1. Smith CB, Gao A, Bravo P, Alam A. Microbial Metabolite Trimethylamine N-Oxide Promotes Campylobacter jejuni Infection by Escalating Intestinal Inflammation, Epithelial Damage, and Barrier Disruption. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2024 Apr 10:2024.04.10.588895. doi: 10.1101/2024.04.10.588895. PMID: 38645062; PMCID: PMC11030326.