Founder & Director, The GLOW Lab
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Arizona

Dr. Smith is an occupational therapist, board-certified health and wellness coach, and end-of-life doula whose work centers on advancing health equity and chronic disease prevention for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their care partners. She earned her Ph.D. in Interprofessional Health Sciences from the University of Vermont and is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Arizona, mentored by Provost Dr. Patricia Prelock.

Dr. Smith’s research integrates community-based and implementation research styles, mixed methods, and integrative health and wellness coaching (IHWC) to promote whole-person health, reduce stress, and foster healthy behavior change in neurodiverse populations. Her studies have examined adaptations to coaching models for individuals with IDD and direct support professionals.

Beyond research, Dr. Smith holds a clinical foundation in acute and inpatient rehabilitation, as well as inpatient mental health work, where she developed a passion for person-centered care and therapeutic use of self. She is committed to bridging research, practice, and advocacy to ensure that every individual, regardless of ability, has access to inclusive, compassionate health and wellness support. For fun, Dr. Smith enjoys hiking and being in the outdoors - sparked by time in Vermont's Green Mountains - hoping to bring the joy of being in nature to the lab environment and participants as much as possible.  

Research Assistant

My name is Jacob Potter, and I'm born and raised here in Tucson, Arizona. I'm very proud to be a first-generation college student here at the University of Arizona. I'm a junior at the College of Education, on track to get my bachelor's in K-12 Mild to Moderate Disabilities. My dream is to get my master's degree in multiple/severe disabilities. I love great food, spending time with my friends and family, my rescue dog Chubbs, and being outdoors. I'm very proud to be a part of Dr. Smith's team. 

Affiliate Doctoral Researcher

Karla Smith is a doctoral student in Special Education at the University of Arizona. She holds a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences and a Master’s degree in Public Administration and has completed a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Karla also serves as an instructor with the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Consortium (UROC), where she teaches courses that prepare undergraduate students for research and graduate study.

Her interdisciplinary background bridges health sciences, behavioral science, and education. Karla is particularly interested in research that promotes health equity and wellness for neurodiverse populations, including adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Her work aligns with the lab’s focus on integrative health, person-centered approaches, and community-engaged research that supports individuals in setting meaningful health goals, managing stress, and sustaining healthy behaviors. Her broader research interests include executive functioning, neurodiversity, and improving transitions and long-term outcomes for neurodiverse individuals across educational and community settings.