Theo Smith, PhD

Biography

I'm Dr. Theodore Smith and I am an assistant professor of anatomy here at TUC. Originally from the Midwest, I earned my Ph.D in Anatomy and Education at Indiana University Bloomington, where I studied the neural underpinnings of anatomical knowledge in anatomy novices and experts. Prior to that I earned a MS in Anatomy at Ohio State and a BA in Physical Anthropology at Case Western Reserve University with a senior thesis investigating the evolutionary history of transplaccental infection of syphilis. I currently teach in the COM and MSMHS programs. My current research focuses on equity in medical education, the evolutionary history of anatomical structures, and the role of cognitive skills in learning anatomy. I am an active member in the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) and the American Association of Anatomy (AAA) where I serve on DEI-focused and education-focused committees. At Touro, I am the faculty advisor for the Rainbow Health Coalition (RHC) which focuses on the advocacy for LGBTQIA+ health issues. Outside the classroom, I enjoy baking, reading Sci-Fi /Fantasy, and spending time with my partner and our 2 cats, Ruby and Gandalf.

Education

• BA in Physical Anthropology and Evolutionary Biology
  Case Western Reserve University 2014
• MS in Anatomy
  Ohio State University 2016
• PhD in Anatomy and Cell Biology-Education
  Indiana University-Bloomington 2020

Recent Publications

Smith, Theodore C., Hechtel, L., Erectile Dysfunction and the Baculum. August 2019. Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health. Volume 2019, Issue 1, 2019, Pages 147–148, https://doi.org/10.1093/emph/eoz023

Smith, Theodore C., Husmann, P., Build-A-Pelvis: a Low-cost Modeling Activity to Improve Medical Students’ Understanding of Perineal Anatomy. July 2019. Medical Science Educator. DOI 10.1007/s40670-019-00782-6.

Smith, Theodore C., Husmann, P., Perineal Anatomy-Modeling of the Female Perineum. September 2018. LifeSciTRC. https://www.lifescitrc.org/resource.cfm?submissionID=11126  

Smith, Theodore C., Finding CN XI: A review of Defining the Spinal Accessory Nerve in Anatomical and Evolutionary Contexts. Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Educator doi: 10.21692/haps.2017.047

Teaching Responsibilities

MEDC-602-FOM, faculty MEDC-622-IS-CVRR, faculty MEDC-642-IS-GERD, faculty MSMHS Anatomy, faculty