Dr Erin VL Smith, BSc, PhD

Dr Smith has a passion for helping scientists share their research to the wider public and is looking forward to generating greater public awareness of the research and innovative therapies being developed at the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute in her role as the Science Communication and Engagement Manager.

Erin joined Gillies McIndoe in 2023. Her research interests involve looking at the long-term effects of maternal diet on disease outcomes and offspring predisposition to disease. She is interested in predisposition to childhood cancers and looking at the molecular and biochemical pathways involved in disease progression.

Erin supports our PhD students and helps to share their research with existing donors, supporters and the wider public. She is interested in connecting the general public to scientific developments and the scientists doing the research. Please contact Erin directly if you are interested in learning more about the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute’s work or are interested in media and social media collaborations.

Erin has a BSc in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from New Mexico State University from Las Cruces New Mexico, United States, and a PhD in Biochemistry & Physiology from the University of Otago, New Zealand. She has 14 years’ experience in relationship management, cross-functional collaboration and initiating cross-industry partnerships and over five years’ experience of science communication. She has published three research articles, and interviewed for various media outlets.

Outside work, Erin enjoys spending time with her family, rescued dogs, blind pigeon, magpie, and friends and doing CrossFit. She is known for dabbling in various adrenaline-rushing experiences spanning from the outdoors paragliding, bungy jumping, or rock climbing to the indoors, having scary movie marathons, or performing improv or stand-up comedy onstage.