For some, the journey is the destination. For optical imaging and biomarker researcher Barbara Smith, the tools define the journey.
Smith, who is an associate professor of biomedical engineering in the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, is developing brain imaging technologies and identifying disease markers for neurodegenerative diseases. Her efforts have distinguished her as a powerhouse in neurological disease diagnostics.
“Researchers can now label a large number of different cell types, but if you can’t find the labels, then the labels have limited impact,” she says. “Our work aims to allow researchers to identify specific cell types in the midbrain to determine their function in healthy and diseased states.”
In 2025, Smith’s efforts in and out of the lab were honored with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, or PECASE, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on outstanding early-career researchers who demonstrate exceptional leadership early in their research careers.
The award honors Smith’s impact in science and her dedication to mentorship, education and shaping the next generation of engineers. Her efforts to identify essential cells and distinguish features for disease diagnostics are paving the way for a greater foundational understanding of how neurodegenerative diseases function.
“Much of my work is about creating tools for researchers to explore beyond what has been established,” Smith says. “Only after we locate important cells, can we understand those cells and record their functions — or lack thereof.”
Advancing optical technology for cell selection
Evidence of what drives some brain disorders at earlier stages is located deep within the brain. Targeting select cells for testing is a challenge because, historically, the cell type has only been identifiable after a test has been conducted.
Smith’s lab is developing optical technologies that emit light through a micropipette electrode to select regions of the brain beyond the reach of external microscopes. By integrating these novel tools across research settings, she aims to improve access to assessing brain activity and function in neurological disorders.
Smith’s research pushes the boundaries of fundamental neuroscience by providing practical tools for researchers to select cells for analysis.
Under Smith’s supervision, biomedical engineering doctoral student Ethan Marschall redesigned the optics-based system to be a handheld device.
“Our goal is to create a tool that enhances research without adding unnecessary complexity, making advanced neural studies more accessible and efficient for a wide range of scientists,” Marschall says.
Smith’s transformative research positions ASU at the forefront of technological innovation in the study of brain function and disease, creating increased opportunities for students and researchers.
Characterizing disease heterogeneity
Some variations of neurodegenerative diseases result in vastly different patient outcomes.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is one of these heterogeneous diseases. It is distinguished as a rare, incurable and progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects muscle control, swallowing and breathing. Some forms of ALS have an average life expectancy of approximately three years after diagnosis, while others may live up to 50 years. Unlocking this information can clarify which disease variation a person has, contextualize their illness progression and inform effective treatment planning.
“Through the research in my lab, I aim to identify biomarkers to improve clinical outcomes and develop tools to understand mechanisms that drive disorders and illnesses,” Smith says.
In Nature Communications, Smith published findings showing that molecular subtypes of ALS are associated with differences in patient prognosis. The article outlines the systems biology framework her team used to analyze brain tissue characterizing ALS disease subtypes and identifying prognostic biomarkers. This information provides new levels of understanding about a disease with striking variations to develop more effective therapies for heterogeneous diseases like ALS.
Jarrett Eshima, a biomedical engineering alum who worked with Smith, has played a key role in advancing their ALS research by helping Smith analyze thousands of genes simultaneously to identify patient subgroups with shared biological similarities.
“While these insights are valuable, much work remains,” Eshima says. “Translating these discoveries to living patients will require ongoing innovation.”
Future-forward systems
Smith’s contributions to the ASU community and her respective research fields have distinguished her as an innovator to watch. Her work identifying diagnostic biomarkers and advancing imaging technologies is creating opportunities for other researchers to further explore the depths of neurological disease, ultimately enhancing treatment effectiveness and quality of life for patients.
Her method for identifying disease variations offers new potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and the development of targeted therapies for the neurodegenerative diseases.
Looking forward, Smith plans to continue making tools accessible, portable and innovative. Her next frontier: improve cell identification in the midbrain and identify biomarkers in living patients for earlier intervention and improve patient outcomes.
“Being able to make a translational tools can generate waves of impact beyond what you can imagine or see,” Smith says, “just like training students.”
