Jarrett Smith became a Neubauer Family Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology in 2025.
Smith’s research investigates how cells respond to stress at the molecular level, with a particular focus on RNA granules—dynamic cellular assemblies that regulate gene expression when cells encounter environmental or physiological challenges. His work addresses a fundamental question in modern biology: how cells adapt to stress, and how breakdowns in these processes contribute to disease.
Through innovative experimental approaches, Smith has transformed understanding of RNA granule biology, overturning long-standing assumptions about how these structures form and function. His discoveries have broad implications for understanding neurodegenerative disease, aging, and cancer. As a Neubauer Family Assistant Professor, Smith is building an ambitious and independent research program that combines foundational biological discovery with relevance across human health and disease.