Complete CV

Education
• B.S, (Div / Magna cum Laude equivalence) University of Sierra Leone, 1984
• M.S, Animal Genetics, Oregon State University, 1989
• PhD, Poultry Genetics , Oregon State University, 1991 Post Doctoral, Molecular Genetics, Iowa State University Associate Professor, Tuskegee University, 1996-2000
• Visiting Scholar, University of Washington Genome center, 1997-
• Affiliate Associate Professor, Auburn University, 1996-

  Research Interests
  A major limitation in associating specific genes with economic traits in poultry (and other animals) is our lack of understanding of the genomes. This understanding, to be facilitated by the development of genomic reagents, will provide a resource for comparative genome analysis with genetic data-rich species. My research focus on genome analysis on turkeys and chickens is thus based on the premise that there is not enough molecular biologist to study the 60,000 (?) genes in birds. Our recent efforts have focused on the development of genomic tools essential for understanding the hereditary basis of economically important poultry traits. Though it is economically important, both, to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the US, the turkey genome remains very little understood.

In our long-term genome analysis strategy, the following activities are underway:

• Understanding the link between oxidative stress, and phenotypes such as dilated cardiomyoapthy and aging
• Mitochondrial DNA variation and its effect on phenotypes of economic importance

Teaching Interests
Across the country, interest in poultry as a major has been on a significant decline. One way to reverse this decline is to establish courses that will broaden the appeal of poultry not only as a commodity but also as a model species for the biomedical sciences. My teaching interests, like my research have revolved around this mission of broadening poultry to attract both those students interested in production as well as the science.

Courses:

• Agricultural Genomics – APSC 4984
• Animal Breeding and Genetics (ALS 3104)
• Poultry Genetics (Four lectures Poultry Management class)
• Comparative Genomics (Two weeks: Special Topics)

Recent Publications


1. D. Kamara, K. B. Gyenai, T. Geng, H. Hammade, and E. J. Smith. 2006. Microsatellite Marker-Based Genetic Analysis of Relatedness among Commercial and Heritage Turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo). Poultry Science, in Press .

2. Kuan-chin Lin, Kwaku Gyenai, R. Lee Pyle, Tuoyu Geng, Jun Xu, and Edward J. Smith. 2006. Candidate Gene Expression Analysis of Toxin-Induced Dilated Cardiomyopathy in the Turkey ( Meleagris gallopav o ). Poultry Science, in Press .

3. Hartman, S., S.A. Taleb, T. Geng, K. Gyenai, and E.J. Smith, 2006. Comparison of plasma uric acid levels in five strains of the domestic turkey, Meleagris gallopavo . Poultry Science, in Press.

4. Ray , S.A. , Drummond, P.B., Shi, L., McDaniel, G.R., and Smith, E.J., 2006. Mutation Analysis of the Aggrecan gene in chickens with tibial dyschondroplasia. Poultry Science 85:1169-1172.

5. Amenkhienan*, E., and Smith, E.J. 2006. A web-based genetic polymorphism learning approach for high school students and science teachers. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 34:30-33.
6. Smith, E. J., Geng, T., Sponenberg, P., Pierson, W., and Larsen, C.T. 2005. Molecular analysis of the relatedness of five domesticated turkey strains. Biochem. Genetics 43:35-47.
7. Smith, E.J., Geng, T., Kamara, D., Lin, K.C. and Hartman, S. 2005. Avian genomes: resources for biomedical research. Current Genomics 6: 75-80.
8. Smith, E.J., Shi + , L., and Tu, Z. 2005. Gallus gallus aggrecan gene-based phylogenetic analysis of selected avian taxonomic groups. Genetica 124:23-32.
9. Hartman, S., Touchton, G., Wynn, J., Geng, T., Chong, N., and Smith, E. 2005. Characterization of expressed sequence tags from a Gallus gallus pineal gland cDNA library. Comparative and Functional Genomics 6:301-306.
10. Smith, E.J., Burt, D.W., and Pourqoui, O. 2005. Poultry genomics puts meat on the table: chicken genomics and development workshop. Comparative and Functional Genomics 6:311-316.

    Training and stuent development interests
    Experiential learning program in genomics and biotechnology:
    This program targets 9-12 high school science teachers. It is a 10-day workshop designed to help teachers develop some baseline knowledge of genomics and biotechnology and to subsequently incorporate this into their science curriculum. It is designed for teachers who have had very little exposure to these technologies particularly those who serve disadvantaged and rural institutions

VT-Post baccalaureate Research and Education Program: http://www.vtprep.maop.vt.edu/

Other Passions


• Motivating high school students and undergraduates to have fun in the lab and enjoy hypothesis testing
• Running…a veteran of 15 marathons (Richmond is my favorite) …. a PR of 3:42…

Contact Information
E-mail: esmith@vt.edu
Phone :  +1 540-231-6797