Dr. Smith is a professor in the School of Health Sciences. Upon the merger of University of the Sciences into Saint Joseph's in June 2022, he was appointed Dean of the School of Health Professions, serving in that position until July 2023. Dr. Smith joined the University of the Sciences as Dean of the Samson College of Health Sciences in September 2020. Prior to joining Saint Joseph's, Dr. Smith served as the Health Sciences Department Chair and Director of the Doctor of Health Sciences Program at Drexel University.
Before entering academia, Dr. Smith served as a non-commissioned officer in the Altitude Physiology and Medicine Division at the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine in Massachusetts, while he earned his Doctor of Science degree at Boston University. His research investigated the effect of dietary supplements and aging on human mitochondrial bioenergetics using near-infrared and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
As a professor in the School of Health Professions, Dr. Smith brings 30 years of experience in higher education leadership, teaching, and research. Over his career, he has taught more than 20 different courses in the areas of anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, exercise science, kinesiology, statistics, and research methods; mentored over 50 graduate student thesis and dissertation projects; published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, presentations, and book chapters; and he has been a longstanding member of the American Physiological Society and American College of Sports Medicine.
