Daria Estrada Smith, Ph.D.

destrada@email.unc.edu

  • Carolina Center for Genome Sciences
  • Department of Nutrition

Education

  • Ph.D. Human Genetics, University of California Los Angeles

Mentors

  • Daniel Pomp, Ph.D.

Biography

I pursued graduate studies with Professor Lusis at UCLA where I used mouse models to investigate complex genetic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance and heart disease. But the focus of my graduate studies was weighted heavily toward research with very little teaching experience.

And so my trek leads me to the SPIRE program that offers a balanced approach to accomplishing my professional goals as a researcher and an educator. I am currently working in Professor Pomp's lab in the department of nutrition attempting to tease apart the complexities of obesity using genomic-based technologies in model organisms. I am very excited about this phase of my expedition from bench to classroom and beyond. Onward!

Publications

  • Nehrenberg DL, Hua K, Estrada-Smith D, Theodore Garland Jr and Pomp D. (2009) Voluntary Exercise and Its Effects on Body Composition Depend on Genetic Selection History. Obesity doi:10.1038/oby.2009.51

  • Pomp, D. Neherenberg, D. Estrada-Smith, D. (2008) Complex genetics of obesity in mouse models. Annual Review of Nutrition, 28; 331-345.