Laura E. Smith, PhD, joined the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health as an assistant professor in June 2017. Previously, Smith was a postdoctoral research associate at Cornell University within the Division of Nutritional Sciences.

Smith is a nutritional epidemiologist with a background in maternal and child health research. Her research focuses on measurement of dietary behaviors and assessment of the determinants and health effects of mycotoxin exposure on mothers and children.

She continues her research at the Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research, Meyrick Park, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Smith is conducting research in the context of the SHINE (Sanitation, Hygiene, Infant Nutrition Efficacy Project) trial in Zimbabwe, which is investigating the independent and combined effects of improved infant and young child feeding, and/or improved water, sanitation, and hygiene on stunting and anemia. As part of the SHINE trial, she is leading the work investigating the effect of mycotoxin exposure on adverse birth outcomes and child stunting.

• PhD, International Nutrition, Cornell University, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Ithaca, NY, 2016
• BS, Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Ithaca, NY, 2007
  

• Postdoctoral Research Associate, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, 2016 - 2017

• American Society for Nutrition
• American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior