Mia J Smith, dvm, phd
Principal investigator
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Immunology and Microbiology
Mia Smith graduated from the DVM/PhD combined program at Colorado State University. For her PhD she studied how anergic autoreactive B cells are silenced in healthy individuals but contribute to disease during development of T1D. She is excited to continue her research from her graduate studies as a junior faculty member at the Barbara Davis Center. Outside the lab she enjoys gardening, hiking, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Current Members
Soojin Kim, PhD Lab manager
Soojin studied at Dr. Rick Morimoto’s laboratory at Northwestern University and earned her Ph.D.in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology, studying the role of polyglutamine aggregates in disrupting normal cellular functions and subsequent development of neuropathology. Soojin joined Dr. Mia Smith’s laboratory at Barbara Davis Center in 2021. She helps run the daily aspects of the lab and works on several projects. She is currently working on introducing rs1893217 SNP mutation in PTPN2 genes in immortalized B cell lines to study the impact of such point mutations in B cell functions. When not in the lab, she struggles to read the book selected by her book club before the deadline, goes hiking, which is a challenge, and enjoys playing piano.
Bridget Alexander, BA Graduate Student, Immunology
Bridget graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology. She is currently a graduate student in the Immunology program and has been a part of the Smith lab since August 2023. Her work focuses on the T1D risk allele PTPN2 and its effect on B cell maintenance and autoimmune disease onset. Outside the lab she enjoys baking, reading, and kickboxing.
Brandon Hilliard, BA Graduate Student, Immunology
Brandon graduated from Carleton College with a degree in Chemistry and a minor in Biochemistry. He is currently a graduate student in the Immunology Department and a member of the CU MSTP program. He has been a part of the Smith lab since July 2023. His research focuses on understanding B cell peripheral tolerance and how B cells contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes after escaping tolerance. Outside the lab, Brandon enjoys exploring the outdoors, climbing mountains, and practicing photography.
Jessica Prendergast, BS Graduate Student, Immunology
Jessica graduated from Fort Lewis College with a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She is currently a graduate student in the Immunology program and has been a part of the Smith Lab since June 2024. Her work focuses on investigating the role of polyreactive B cells in type 1 diabetes using scRNA-sequencing. When she is not in lab, Jessica enjoys gardening, cycling, and painting.
Anjelica Miranda, BS Graduate Student, Immunology
Anjelica graduated from the University of Colorado Denver with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She is currently a graduate student in the Immunology program and is co-mentored by Roberta Pelanda, PhD and Mia Smith, PhD. Her work focuses on the studying the molecular activity of the PI3K pathway in autoreactive B cells and how dysregulation of the PI3K pathway leads to the release of autoreactive B cells from the bone marrow of type 1 diabetes individuals. Outside the lab Anjelica enjoys crocheting, reading, and baking..
MAdison Feaver, bs Professional Research Assistant
Madison graduated from UC Davis with a bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering. She is currently a Research Assistant in the Smith Lab and has been in the lab since July 2024. Her current project focuses on determining the mechanism of action of a new recombinant protein drug designed to prevent type 1 diabetes using peripheral blood B cells in culture. Outside of lab, she likes to swing dance, cook, read, and play violin and piano.
Maya Hunter
Student research assistant
Maya Hunter is currently an undergraduate student in the combined BA/BS-MD program at the University of Colorado Denver studying Biology. She has been a part of the Smith Lab since February 2022. When she is not in the lab, Maya enjoys swimming, painting, baking, and walking her dog.
Past Members
Catherine Nicholas, Ph.D - Graduate Student (2020 - 2024)
Kevin Toole, BS - Professional Research Assistant (2022 - 2024). Now attending CU Anschutz Medical School.
Spencer Evans, BS - Professional Research Assistant (2022 - 2024). Now attending New York Medical College.
Zachary Stensland, BA - Professional Research Assistant (2019 - 2022). Now attending graduate school at UCSF.
Shelby Kardel, BA - Student Research Assistant (2021 - 2022). Now a senior research associate at the Colorado School of Public Health.
We are actively seeking motivated individuals to join our team! Please feel free to contact us for more information ([email protected])