Valerie Smith

Valerie Smith, a native of Chicago, is the Clinical Research Center Manager for the University of Nevada Reno, School of Medicine. 

The Center, brought to life in 2019, is committed to bringing translational clinical research to northern Nevadans, a region which has until now, been a desert of opportunity in the high desert.

We seek to improve health of all Nevadans with the latest treatments, technologies, and most importantly the best healthcare available, because we believe all people should have access to great healthcare, regardless of economic or geographic barriers.

Valerie has a passion for biomedical research, as evidenced by a career devoted to that field.  When she met Drs. Peter and Takako Jones, she found in them kindred spirits and was excited to become part of a grassroots team to support their research into understanding and treating people with FSHD. 

Valerie enjoys hiking in the Sierras, traveling to the coast, and spending time with son, Ryan, and her menagerie of pets.