Staff Profile

Hana Smith is a Program Director in the NIH Office of Clinical Research Education and Collaboration Outreach. In this role, she oversees all aspects of the Bench-to-Bedside and Back Program including but not limited to: the scientific review panel, coordination, and implementation of research activities. Previously, Ms. Smith served as a senior research chemist for over twenty-five years at the NIH. During that time, she developed expertise in multiple biomedical research disciplines and methodologies. Her research focused on conducting studies to examine the function of joints using cellular, genetics and molecular approaches, in addition to applying cell-based tissue engineering for cartilage replacement using adult stem cells. Other research was conducted on the structure of immunoglobulins and their interaction with antigens and with cell surface receptors. She also served as a reviewer for manuscripts and provided advice and edits before submitting to peer reviewed journals. Ms. Smith published numerous manuscripts as the lead author and others as a collaborator.

She received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology from Boston University in Massachusetts and a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of Maryland. She also attended the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene & Public Health.

Honors and Awards

• Clinical Center Director's Award for 2015 in the Strategic Initiatives category. The award was granted for implementing evaluation of key strategic programs and initiatives such as opening the Clinical Center for extramural.
• NIAMS Director’s award, 2005
• NIH Award of Merit, 1991
• UMUC’s Upsilon Phi Delta (UPD) Honor Society