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.