Ava Mackay Smith
About Ava Mackay Smith
Ava Mackay Smith is a Research Associate I at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, where she has worked since 2020. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from Wellesley College and has a strong focus on genetic regulatory elements linked to disease traits.
Work at Broad Institute
Ava Mackay Smith has been employed as a Research Associate I at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard since 2020. In this role, she focuses on identifying genetic regulatory elements associated with disease traits. She actively contributes to refining methods for CRISPR-based detection of human genetic variation. Her work is situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she collaborates with a team dedicated to advancing genetic research.
Previous Experience at Wellesley College
Prior to her current position, Ava Mackay Smith held multiple roles at Wellesley College. She served as a Laboratory Assistant from 2017 to 2020, where she supported various laboratory activities. Additionally, she worked as a Botanic Gardens Curations Assistant from 2019 to 2020, contributing to the curation of plant collections. She also gained experience as a Resident Assistant for 10 months during 2017 to 2018, providing support to fellow students.
Education and Expertise
Ava Mackay Smith earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from Wellesley College, completing her studies from 2016 to 2020. She also participated in a study abroad program at the University of Melbourne in 2018, where she obtained a Bachelor's degree. Her educational background is complemented by her diploma with honors from Dublin School, where she achieved a GPA of 3.89/4.00 from 2014 to 2016.
Research Interests
Ava Mackay Smith's research interests encompass population genetics and speciation. She focuses on the functional characterization of selective variants and their implications for disease risk. Her current research at the Broad Institute involves the identification of genetic elements linked to diseases, reflecting her commitment to advancing knowledge in genetics and its applications.
Conservation Biology and Climate Change Ecology
Ava Mackay Smith has a keen interest in conservation biology and climate change ecology. This interest informs her research and aligns with her broader goals of understanding the genetic factors that contribute to biodiversity and environmental sustainability.