Biography

Dr. Davey Smith is a translational research virologist. He uses basic science techniques to answer clinically relevant questions and vice-versa. He works both at the UCSD Antiviral Research Center and in his laboratory on the UCSD campus, where he performs bench research . His primary research focus is on the transmission of HIV, including HIV superinfection, molecular epidemiology and characterizing HIV shed from the genital tract. He also investigates the virologic correlates of end organ damage, like neuropathology, both domestically and abroad. These studies are in pursuit to understand the drivers of HIV transmission and disease and find new ways to interrupt them.

Dr. Smith graduated from East Tennessee State University School of Medicine. He did his internship, residency and chief residency in Internal Medicine at University of California San Diego, and then he stayed at UCSD to complete his fellowship in Infectious Diseases. He joined UCSD faculty in 2003. He became Professor of Medicine in 2013, Co-Director of San Diego CFAR in 2013, Vice-Chair of Faculty in 2016 and Head of the UCSD Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health in 2017.