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.