About
“Even before attending college, I enjoyed reading about prions, Ebola virus, and 1918 influenza. I wanted to be a virus hunter. I wanted to go to the jungles of Africa and find the natural host of Ebola virus. Instead I ended up working with chickens.”
Experienced research virologist & public health professional
Dr. Jennifer Smith has subject matter expertise in virology and immunology. After receiving her Master’s degree from the University of Georgia she took a position in a cutting-edge research laboratory with world-renowned virologist Dr. Robert Webster at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. There she managed an animal biosafety level 3 containment laboratory while studying influenza viruses, both avian and human. Her efforts and those of the team were rewarded by the development of an efficacious H5N3 poultry vaccine (Poulvac FluFend iAI H5N3 RG), as well as, an H5N1 vaccine to be stockpiled for use in immunizing humans against this lethal strain of virus.
After working several years as a technologist, she began working on her doctoral degree under the tutelage of Dr. Webster. Her work on the ecology and evolution of avian influenza viruses had an impact on policies and practices regarding the sale of poultry in live animal markets in Southeast Asia.
Upon completion of her doctoral degree, she joined the NIAID Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance at the University of Georgia. In a collaborative project with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), she assessed methods for improved delivery of vaccines for mass vaccination campaigns. She also worked collaboratively with other research scientists on the development of PIV5 as a novel vaccine vector for influenza, rabies, and mumps viruses. From there, she moved on to a contract research organization where she served as a contracting office representative for a government contract testing candidate vaccines against viral hemorrhagic fever viruses.
In 2016, she transitioned from research science to public health, taking a position as an epidemiological specialist in the Disease Outbreak Control Division at the Hawaii Department of Health. She conducted disease investigations of communicable diseases of key public health interest. She also served as the influenza surveillance coordinator analyzing data and preparing the weekly influenza surveillance report. She was also instrumental in the COVID-19 pandemic response efforts by identifying and investigating cases and contact tracing.
My Skills
Throughout her career as a virologist, she have participated in every aspect of biological science work and gained a breadth of technical skills.
Respiratory Viruses/Influenza Subject Matter Expert
Vaccine Development and Preclinical Testing
Biocontainment and Biosafety
Laboratory Management
Public Health
Experience
2016-2021
Hawaii Department of Health
Disease Outbreak Control Division
Epidemiological Specialist/Influenza Surveillance Coordinator
Instrumental in COVID-19 pandemic response by identifying and investigating 700+ individual cases and close contacts as well as active monitoring of travels. Developed case investigation protocols and case report forms.
Independently planned and conducted epidemiologic investigations of 900+ individual cases of communicable diseases resulting in recommendations for treatment, intervention, and preventive measures.
2012-2013
Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute
Preclinical Microbiology and Immunotoxicology
Associate Research Scientist/ABSL3 Study Director
Managed a $1.2 M government contract for the development of an Ebola virus vaccine as the subject matter expert. Developed study protocols, managed the budget, documented findings, analyzed data, and prepared and delivered written project reports to the sponsoring agency.
2007-2012
University of Georgia
Animal Health Research Center (AHRC)
Research Professional/Assistant Research Scientist
I was part of an amazing research team under the Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance and worked together with them to study influenza viruses in animal models to understand the pathogenesis and immune response in the animals.
Secured $10K in funding as an independent principal investigator to study the effects of vitamin D on replication of influenza viruses in lung epithelial cells.
2000-2007
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Department of Infectious Diseases
Senior Research Technologist
Maintained efficient operation of the animal biosafety level 3+ laboratory to ensure compliance with federal select agent regulations. Including development of SOPs for working safely within the facility, training and supervising 20+ personnel within the facility.