Brenda Smith named Regents Professor by OSU

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Dr. Brenda Smith, the John and Sue Taylor Professor in nutritional sciences, has been named a Regents Professor at Oklahoma State University. She has been a member of the College of Education and Human Sciences faculty for more than 14 years.

Her research is focused on factors that contribute to osteoporosis and the osteoprotective effects of the bioactive components in plant-based foods such as dried plums and tart cherries. She and her team are also studying how type 2 diabetes impacts bone health.

Smith has been the principal investigator on research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health, USDA, Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science & Technology, OSU Technology and Business Program and the California Dried Plum Board. Her research has been featured in International Innovation and she has presented her findings to the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research, Experimental Biology, Oklahoma Research Day, Harold Hamm Diabetes Research retreat, OSU Research Symposium and the OSU Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Symposium.

Her leadership is recognized on a national scale by her participation as a reviewer for five journals (Endocrine Research, Osteoporosis International, Journal of Nutrition, PloS One, British Journal of Nutrition), and serves on the PLoS ONE Editorial Board.

Her unique combination of scholarly distinction and friendliness has resulted in many graduate students being attracted to NSCI and her lab.

Smith’s research, teaching and mentoring expertise have been recognized not only in the college and the university, but also by national organizations. She received the national Board on Human Sciences Undergraduate Research Mentor in 2015 and was named the College of Education and Human Sciences Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor in 2013. OSU recognized her with the Regents Distinguished Research Award in 2004.