Dr. Patrice Smith – Research Scientist
Dr. Patrice Smith is a Jamaican-born scientist, now living in Canada, who is making strides in the male-dominated field of scientific research. She and her colleagues at Harvard University have the distinction of having discovered a way to repair damaged nerves by allowing the adult brain to respond to repair signals that are induced after injury. It is her hope that the research she does will help people who suffer from brain and spinal-cord injuries, by helping to repair the injuries they may have received in an accident, or just through the natural aging process.
Dr. Smith grew up in Darliston, Westmoreland, and completed studies up to 5th form (CXC level) at Mannings High school in 1995. That year, at the age of 18, she migrated to Canada, where her CXC results were not recognized and she was forced to repeat her final year in a Canadian high school. She excelled and obtained a scholarship to attend the University of Ottawa, where, upon graduating, she received the highest average in her graduating year and was awarded a medal by the Ottawa-Carleton education school board.
Her interest in brain research peaked after a summer research job in a neuroscience lab at the University of Ottawa. After completing her doctorate in 2005, she received a scholarship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to attend Harvard University, where she did two years of research. She is currently working on extending this research in her own lab in Canada, in order to look at ways of functionally repairing damaged nerves, following spinal cord and brain injury.
In 2008, Dr. Smith married Ryan, her best friend and biggest fan, and she currently heads a medical research lab in Canada. Kudos to Dr. Patrice Smith, one of many Jamaicans who’re making waves globally.
Tags: Dr. Patrice Smith, Patrice Smith
I am a Jamaican and i really hope that one of these day i will become sucessful in the field of science. You see, i want to become a doctor and i’m worhing my way towards it. I want tou to know that i really admire your work and nice to know that you are a Jamaican.i wish you the best in life and i also want you to know that i’m doing a project on you.
I am really impressed with her achievements. I wish the news media here in the United States would cover these accomplishments which I am sure would empower black children. Way to go, Dr Patrice Smith. BIG UP!!!!!
Dr. Smith! I am very proud of you and I can say we have something in common. My mom had me when she was 18 and left me with my father’s parents (my beautiful grandparents). I know that hard work pays off. I am proud to be a Jamaican and I know we are very ambitious and never give up on our dreams. Way to go Dr. Smith and get use to us calling you Dr.
wow, I’m absolutely happy for you Dr SMith, this is amazing
and you know what our lives have been very close
I went to Manning’s but left in ’93, you left in 1995
I was also at OttawaU
for sure, I must have seen you around at some point, wow
continue to do good work, God bless
8/27/2010 2:44P Dr Smith,You make me proud ,I was born in Jamaica. God has you in the palm of his hand,His plan for you came through.Jeremiah 29;11.Remember to thank God every day,continue to make Him number one ,your husband number two and all your future endeavors will come to pass.May our heavenly Father God continue to richly bless you in all that you do. In His love Yvonne LIquet/
yah jam rock all the way
I am very proud to see a female from my town of birth with such high caliber in the world today.Dr Smith you make me feel proud to be from Darliston town.keep on doing your work that is your thing, so sky is the limit all the way one love for all. *******************
This has been a long road for Dr. Smith and she has earned all her stripes and then some.
Congratulations on your journey only a few get to truly realize their dreams in this lifetime. I wish you well and I know that you will be doing great things now and in the future.
Love yah!