Alicia K. Smith, PhD

Dr. Smith earned her PhD in molecular genetics from Wake Forest University.

Dr. Smith studies the role of genetic and environmental factors in the development and symptoms of stress-related disorders across the lifespan. She uses a number of complementary approaches including bioinformatics and genome-wide evaluations of sequence variants, DNA methylation and gene expression to explore i) how prenatal exposures influence the risk for developmental and behavioral problems during childhood and ii) how early life stress influences the risk for developing adult psychiatric disorders, such as PTSD or perinatal depression and iii) how medications or biologically active chemicals induce behavioral responses such as depression, fatigue or suicidal ideation.