Dr. Laura Smith

Biography

Laura N. Smith is an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University in the Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics. She obtained her PhD in Psychology from George Mason University in 2008. Her research interests lie in understanding the molecular circuit mechanisms that underlie complex behaviors, particularly those altered pathways leading to maladaptive features of mental illnesses. Smith's work involves studying neuropsychiatric disorders that demonstrate evidence of altered synaptic functions, impacting neural communication. For instance, her research explores the ineffective synaptic pruning observed in autism spectrum disorders, which contributes to symptoms like sensory hypersensitivity and social overstimulation. Furthermore, her studies on addiction investigate how repeated exposure to drugs alters synaptic structures within brain reward regions. Smith's laboratory focuses on the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein (FMRP), a critical regulator of local protein translation involved in synaptic remodeling and addiction-related behaviors. The lab aims to contribute to the understanding of autism spectrum disorders, particularly in the context of reward functions and brain plasticity.

Research Interests

Experience