She is proud of her work in Brazil during the 2015 Zika virus outbreak; she successfully collaborated with Brazilian scientists to document the crisis and develop tools that may help in the future.
VERO BEACH, FL, April 20, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dr. Chelsea Smartt, PhD, has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Drawing on more than three decades of expertise as a biologist, Dr. Smartt is distinguished as a leading expert in mosquito molecular biology. Since 2004, she has served as a professor at the University of Florida, where she teaches all aspects of mosquito biology and disease transmission, including a popular online course that explores mosquito control, tracking and pathogen tracing, among other topics. She also runs a research laboratory, conducting her own studies and working with doctoral students on their research.
Born the youngest of seven children, Dr. Smartt's family spent part of her childhood living in Tanzania in East Africa. During their time there, one of her brothers contracted malaria; the experience of watching his journey with the illness compelled her to study mosquitoes herself. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in biology from Tennessee State University in 1989 and a PhD in molecular biology and biochemistry from the University of California, Irvine, in 1995.
Of her many professional achievements, Dr. Smartt is especially proud of her work in Brazil during the 2015 Zika virus outbreak. During that trip, she successfully collaborated with Brazilian scientists to document the crisis and develop tools that may help in future outbreaks. Notably, she is also proud to have received a UF/IFAS International Travel Award and an Infrastructure and Equipment Award.
To remain aware of developments affecting her field, Dr. Smartt is active with the Entomological Society of America, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and Black Microbiologists Group. She is also an avid volunteer in local K-12 schools; each year, she works with afterschool programs to teach children about mosquito biology, demonstrate hands-on experiments and show them objects under a microscope. Recently, she participated in student outreach with The Links, an association of Black women that encourages students to enter STEM fields.
Outside of work, Dr. Smartt enjoys salsa dancing, dog training and working out. In the coming years, she hopes to build collaborations in Africa.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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