Microbiome Researcher at Network of Researchers on the Chemical Evolution of Life (NoRCEL), United Kingdom
Dr. David Smith is a distinguished researcher with a PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from Salford University, UK, and a Diploma of Imperial College (DIC) from Imperial College, London. After a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry until 2013, he transitioned into multidisciplinary research as a private citizen, focusing on the microbiome as a co-evolved component of the vertebrate immune system. His work integrates insights from diverse fields to address chronic diseases, publishing impactful articles and authoring the book The Accidental Death of the Microbiome. Dr. Smith is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Chartered Chemist.
Profile
SCOPUS
ORCID
Dr. David Smith earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from Salford University, UK, between 1977 and 1980. He further enhanced his academic credentials with a post-doctoral position at Imperial College, UK, where he was awarded the prestigious Diploma of Imperial College (DIC) in 1982. His strong academic foundation laid the groundwork for his subsequent career in the pharmaceutical industry and his current multidisciplinary research on the microbiome’s role in chronic diseases.
Work Experience 💼:
Dr. David Smith began his career with a PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry at Salford University, UK (1977–1980), followed by a postdoctoral tenure at Imperial College, London, where he earned the prestigious Diploma of Imperial College (DIC) in 1982. He dedicated several decades to the pharmaceutical industry, contributing significantly until his retirement in 2013. Post-retirement, Dr. Smith pivoted to independent, multidisciplinary research, delving into the microbiome’s role as a co-evolved component of vertebrate immune systems. Since 2018, he has been synthesizing insights from diverse scientific disciplines to provide innovative perspectives on chronic diseases and their progression across generations.
Skills 🔍
Dr. David Smith possesses a diverse skill set rooted in his robust academic and professional background. He excels in multidisciplinary research, synthesizing insights from fields as varied as organic chemistry, microbiology, immunology, and evolutionary biology. His expertise includes scientific writing, with proficiency in crafting peer-reviewed articles and books. Dr. Smith demonstrates a strong capacity for innovative thinking, particularly in conceptualizing solutions to chronic disease-related challenges through microbiome research. His ability to engage constructively with reviewers and refine complex ideas showcases his collaborative and communicative strengths. Additionally, his analytical skills enable him to interpret intricate data and propose groundbreaking hypotheses.
Awards and Honors 🏆
Dr. David Smith has received recognition for his pioneering work in microbiome research, though his career has been primarily focused on contributing new insights rather than seeking accolades. While formal awards are not a central aspect of his professional journey, his research has significantly impacted the understanding of chronic diseases and their connection to the microbiome. His work has been widely cited, with his articles garnering attention in the academic community. Dr. Smith’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and his contributions to the understanding of chronic diseases demonstrate his dedication to enhancing public health on a global scale.
Research Interests:
Dr. David Smith’s research interests are centered on the microbiome as a co-evolved and inheritable component of vertebrate immune systems, reflecting the concept of the holobiont. He investigates the evolutionary interplay between the microbiome and chronic diseases, focusing on conditions like multiple sclerosis, obesity, and mental health disorders such as schizophrenia. His work seeks to explain the progressive microbiome loss and its implications for modern populations, highlighting intergenerational health deterioration. Dr. Smith’s research aims to advance understanding in areas such as heritable microeukaryotes, ingestible sensors for microbiome functionality, and the broader evolutionary logic of microbiome-related diseases.
📚 Publications
- Title: On the Inheritance of Microbiome-Deficiency: Paediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, the Immune System, and the Gut–Brain Axis
- Authors: Smith, D., Jheeta, S., López-Cortés, G.I., Fuentes, H.V., Palacios-Pérez, M.
- Journal: Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Year: 2023
- Volume/Issue: 5(2), pp. 209–232
- Citations: 1
- Title: Measuring Microbiome Effectiveness: A Role for Ingestible Sensors
- Authors: Smith, D., Jheeta, S.
- Book: Advances in Medical Imaging, Detection, and Diagnosis
- Year: 2023
- Pages: 655–666
- Citations: 0
- Title: Microbiome–Gut Dissociation in the Neonate: Autism-Related Developmental Brain Disease and the Origin of the Placebo Effect
- Authors: Smith, D., Jheeta, S., Fuentes, H.V., Street, B., Palacios-Pérez, M.
- Journal: Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Year: 2022
- Volume/Issue: 4(4), pp. 291–311
- Citations: 1
- Title: Microbiome–Gut Dissociation in the Neonate: Obesity and Coeliac Disease as Examples of Microbiome Function Deficiency Disorder
- Authors: Smith, D., Palacios-Pérez, M., Jheeta, S.
- Journal: Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Year: 2022
- Volume/Issue: 4(3), pp. 108–128
- Citations: 3
- Title: Feeding Our Microbiota: Stimulation of the Immune/Semiochemical System and the Potential Amelioration of Non-Communicable Diseases
- Authors: Smith, D., Jheeta, S., Fuentes, H.V., Palacios-Pérez, M.
- Journal: Life
- Year: 2022
- Volume/Issue: 12(8), 1197
- Citations: 9
- Title: The Enclosed Intestinal Microbiome: Semiochemical Signals from The Precambrian and Their Disruption by Heavy Metal Pollution
- Authors: Smith, D., Palacios-Pérez, M., Jheeta, S.
- Journal: Life
- Year: 2022
- Volume/Issue: 12(2), 287
- Citations: 7
- Title: Microbiome–Gut Dissociation: Investigating the Origins of Obesity
- Authors: Smith, D., Jheeta, S.
- Journal: Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Year: 2021
- Volume/Issue: 3(4), pp. 156–172
- Citations: 5
- Title: Measuring Microbiome Effectiveness: A Role for Ingestible Sensors
- Authors: Smith, D., Jheeta, S.
- Journal: Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Year: 2020
- Volume/Issue: 2(1), 2
- Citations: 10