NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Harold Smith, Professor at The University of Rochester, has been selected to join the Education Board at the American Health Council. Dr. Smith will be sharing his knowledge and expertise in the field of molecular biology, molecular virology, RNA biology, and drug discovery.
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Dr. Harold Smith became involved in research after beginning his career as a professor in the Department of Biochemistry at The University of Rochester. As a biophysics professor, he utilized his knowledge and expertise in the areas of research and innovation of RNA, protein molecular biology, cell regulation, and drug discovery. Furthermore, Dr. Smith develops curriculum, teaches and mentors students from high school to postgraduate.
In 1975, Harold Smith received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Purdue University. Subsequently, he pursued his Master of Science Degree in veterinary medicine from Purdue University in 1978. Dr. Smith proceeded to pursue a Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology from St. University at Buffalo in 1980, and received his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology in 1982 from St. University at Buffalo.
As a Professor at The University of Rochester, his day-to-day responsibilities include planning and supervising research, evaluating data, writing manuscripts and grants, peer reviews, and training students at the university. The department of biochemistry and biophysics strives to understand the molecular mechanisms of important biological processes, thereby providing insight to how disruption of these mechanisms causes disease. The lab's primary interest is understanding the composition, regulation and structure of macromolecular complexes, that are involved in regulating gene expression, at the level of messenger RNA expression and processing. Dr. Smith has spent 30 years within his current academic role at The University of Rochester.
Dr. Harold Smith is also the Founder, President, and CEO of OyaGen, Inc. The objective of OyaGen, Inc. is to induce transient and beneficial changes in the protein expression and function in human tissues by involving the editing enzymes in targeting biomedically relevant pathways.
Dr. Harold Smith is a member of The American Heart Association, The Council on Atherosclerosis, The RNA Society, The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a fellow in the The Royal Society of Biology. In addition, Dr. Smith serves on the Scientific Advisor Board of Cannabis Sciences, Inc., IgxBio, Inc. and Trovita Health Sciences as well as the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Virology and AIDS, Frontiers in Microbiology, The Journal of Biological Chemistry, and The Journal of BioDiscovery.
Dr. Smith is a member of various charitable organizations. He is affiliated with The American Cancer Society, The American Red Cross, Paralyzed Veterans of America, The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund, USA Special Olympics, Girl Scouts of America, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Vietnam Veterans of America, and other local community services.
Dr. Harold Smith is honored to have been awarded with The Marquis Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, Sterling Who’s Who, The Mentor of Junior Faculty Award from Women in Science, Dentistry and Medicine (WIDSM), George W. Merck Dean’s Teaching Scholar, SUNY at Buffalo Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Rochester Dean's Award for Meritorious Service in Ph.D. Defenses, and was inducted as a Fellow in the Royal Society of Biology. In addition to multiple privileges over the past 20 years, Dr. Smith has been recognized for The Organization of International Conferences and for serving as a keynote speaker. His research has been funded for several million dollars through the National Institutes of Health, The Bill and Melinda Foundation, and other various private foundations.
Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Harold Smith is proud to have dedicated his entire adult life to the pursuit of his education, scientific discovery and innovation, leadership in science, mentoring, and curriculum reform. He has trained more than an entire generation of scientists and medical doctors. Dr. Smith attributes his success to his ability to conceive of new hypotheses and elaborate experimental design and his tenacity. Throughout all of his professional success, Dr. Harold Smith is proud of the personal accomplishment of marriage for over 40 years and is the father of three children who now hold advanced degrees in Science, Engineering, and Business. During his individual free time, he enjoys skiing and gardening.
Dr. Harold Smith holds long term goals that include the ability to contribute furthermore to the discovery of RNA regulation in infectious diseases. In addition, he would also like to bring a new drug to market, launch new research and entrepreneurial ventures.