Education:

Ph.D. University of Illinois, 1990
M.S. University of Illinois, 1985
B.S. Houghton College, 1983

Area of Specialization:

Exercise Physiology, Occupational Physiology, Heat Stress, Cardiovascular Health

Classes Taught:

EX 111 Introduction to Exercise Science
EX 126 / 127 Human Anatomy and Physiology I / II
EX 241 Exercise Testing and Prescription
EX 299 Internships
EX 311 Exercise Physiology
EX 342 Cardiorespiratory Aspects of Human Performance
EX 355 Research Design and Statistics
EX 361B Cardiorespiratory Aspects of Human Performance
EX 361E Neuromuscular Aspects of Human Performance
EX 371 Independent Study
EX 375 Senior Research
EX 376 Neuromuscular Aspects of Human Performance
LS IV Fitness, Physiology and Society
PA 101 Self-Paced Fitness

Books Published:

Exercise Physiology: for Health, Fitness, and Performance. Benjamin Cummings, (2003).
Instructor's Manual for Exercise Physiology: for Health, Fitness, and Performance. Benjamin Cummings, (2003).
Theoretical and Applied Experiments in Exercise Physiology. Benjamin Cummings, (2003).

Current Research Interests:

Professor Smith's primary area of research is cardiovascular health, with a specific focus on the relationship between heat stress and cardiovascular function.  A significant portion of her research focuses on the cardiovascular strain associated with firefighting activity.  She has published several articles the effects of firefighting on cardiovascular function, coagulatory potential, immune function and hormonal status and has lead several government-funded studies to investigate strategies to minimize the physiological strain associated with firefighting.  Professor Smith has also conducted several laboratory studies designed to identify specific components of firefighting activity (work performed, heat stress, sympathetic nervous stimulation) that are responsible for specific physiological responses to the combined stress of firefighting.