Harvard Catalyst Profiles

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Lois Elaine Hodgson Smith, M.D., Ph.D.

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Overview
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Lois Smith MD, PhD, has been Professor of Ophthalmology since 2007. Dr. Smith's research accomplishments include the development and standardization of the mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy; basic mechanisms of vascular growth and translation to the clinic via VEGF; growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor in retinopathy; the role of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and other lipids in photoreceptor metabolism driving angiogenesis; and photoreceptor energy deficiency as cause of neovascular AMD. Dr. Smith's notable recent accomplishments include development of mitochondrial functional mapping of the retina and optic nerve; development of FGF21 as a treatment for diseases with depressed mitochondrial function, including retinal degenerations (retinitis pigmentosa), AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and ROP; the development of GPR40 and GPR120 as targets for improving mitochondrial function in disease; and SOCS3 as a modulator of inflammation in photoreceptor signaling.

Research
research activities and funding
The research activities and funding listed below are automatically derived from NIH ExPORTER and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing items. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.
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  1. R01EY030904 (SMITH, LOIS) Jan 1, 2020 - Dec 31, 2024
    NIH
    Glucose/lipid metabolism and vessel development in phase I ROP
    Role: Principal Investigator
  2. 5R24EY024868-04 (SMITH, LOIS) Apr 1, 2015 - Mar 31, 2019
    NIH/NEI
    Novel therapies to inhibit diabetic retinopathy
    Role Description: This award will fund studies that will coordinate bench research with clinical trials of LCPUFA and cyclooxygenase inhibition in retinopathy
    Role: PI
  3. R01EY022275 (SMITH, LOIS) May 1, 2012 - Apr 30, 2016
    NIH
    Neuronal guidance molecules control revascularization in retinopathy
    Role: Principal Investigator
  4. (SMITH, LOIS) Apr 1, 2007 - Mar 31, 2019
    Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Alcon Research Institute Award
    Role: PI
  5. R01EY017017 (SMITH, LOIS) Jul 1, 2006 - Jun 30, 2027
    NIH
    Dietary control of angiogenesis in retinopathy models
    Role: Principal Investigator

Bibliographic
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© 2025 President and Fellows of Harvard College
Funded by the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences through its Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program, grant number UL1TR002541.