Susan S. Smyth (1965-2022).

HomeArteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular BiologyVol. 43, No. 3Susan S. Smyth (1965–2022) Free AccessObituaryPDF/EPUBAboutView PDFView EPUBSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationsTrack citationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyReddit Jump toFree AccessObituaryPDF/EPUBSusan S. Smyth (1965–2022) Leslie V. Parise, Barry S. Coller, Sidney W. Whiteheart and Cam Patterson Leslie V. PariseLeslie V. Parise Correspondence to: Leslie V. Parise, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405. Email E-mail Address: [email protected] https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6860-4252 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington (L.V.P.). Search for more papers by this author , Barry S. CollerBarry S. Coller https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9078-7155 The Rockefeller University, New York (B.S.C.). Search for more papers by this author , Sidney W. WhiteheartSidney W. Whiteheart https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5577-0473 College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington (S.W.W.). Search for more papers by this author and Cam PattersonCam Patterson University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock (C.P.). Search for more papers by this author Originally published16 Feb 2023https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.123.319003Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2023;43:385–387Other version(s) of this articleYou are viewing the most recent version of this article. Previous versions: February 16, 2023: Ahead of Print We wish to honor the life of Susan S. Smyth, MD, PhD, who passed away on December 31, 2022 at the age of 57 years. Susan most recently served as Executive Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Susan was a renowned cardiologist, clinical scientist, and academic leader. She leaves behind her husband, Andrew Morris, PhD, professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at UAMS, their two sons Edward and William, along with many colleagues and trainees who are still coming to terms with this tragic loss.Susan grew up in Chapel Hill, NC, the daughter of University of North Carolina (UNC) philosophy professor Richard Smyth and Luan Smyth, in a 150-year-old homestead in the beautiful countryside of Chapel Hill. She attended Mount Holyoke College where she graduated summa cum laude in 1987. Later that year, she joined the MD/PhD program at UNC. This was before the university had the robust, well-funded program that would evolve a few years later. At that time, Susan had to apply separately to medical and graduate school, be accepted by both, and coordinate between the two entities, an experience that would help shape her later passion to facilitate and enhance MD/PhD training.Download figureDownload PowerPointIn 1990, Susan joined the laboratory of a new Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Leslie Parise, PhD, as one of her first two graduate students. For her doctoral thesis, Susan focused on a platelet biochemistry project, exploring the mechanism of activation of the major platelet adhesion receptor, integrin αIIbβ3. Susan worked around the clock in the laboratory, reflecting her intense curiosity, love of science, and inner drive. She read everything she could find related to her research and was always one step ahead. Her intensity and drive did not dampen her sunny, cheerful personality. It was not surprising to those who knew her that she would complete and defend her thesis only two years later, in 1992, garnering multiple publications1–4 and receipt of top university honors for graduate and medical scholarship (Thomas C. Butler Award, John B. Graham Research Society, Sarah Graham Kenan Fellowship). It was also during this time that Susan met her future husband, Andrew Morris, a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of T. Kendall Harden, in the same department.Susan went on to train in Internal Medicine at Stony Brook, where her outstanding performance led to her selection as Chief Resident in 1997, an experience that further strengthened her already well-developed skills as a masterful and compassionate clinician and educator. She then trained in cardiology and cardiologic research as a fellow at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where she joined the Coller laboratory and continued the platelet integrin research she had begun as a PhD student in the Parise laboratory.1–4 She led studies on the structure and function of the murine αIIbβ3 and αVβ3 receptors using new monoclonal antibodies and mice with targeted deletion of β3, lacking both receptors.5,6 She demonstrated that the mice had variable protection from thrombosis depending on how thrombosis was initiated7 and made the crucial discovery that the mice were not protected from developing intimal hyperplasia after vascular injury (a model of coronary artery restenosis after angioplasty, a major challenge in interventional cardiology at that time), whereas mice lacking P-selectin were protected.8 Platelet-leukocyte interactions at the site of vascular injury were abundant in both control and β3-null mice but essentially absent in the P-selectin-deficient mice. These data supported a vital role for platelet-leukocyte interactions in vascular biology, which led her to focus much of her future research in this area,9 the forerunner of the still growing field of thromboinflammation,10–16 including its role in COVID-19 severity.17Susan’s prominence in the platelet community led to her participation in multiple program and policy committees of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH), and the American Heart Association (AHA), as well as invitations to co-author the major platelet biology chapter of Williams Hematology through multiple editions and the platelet-leukocyte chapter in the Michelson Platelets textbook.Susan returned to UNC-Chapel Hill as a fellow in Cardiology, Assistant Professor in the Division of Cardiology, and founding member of what is now the UNC McAllister Heart Institute (MHI). Given the stellar reputation from her student years at UNC and subsequent accomplishments, her return was widely hailed. She made major contributions to MHI through her mentorship, collaborations with former and new colleagues, her role in establishing a mouse models core, and her participation in a highly productive program project grant. Her research productivity at the nexus of cell signaling, thrombosis, and vascular biology quickly moved her to the forefront of the field, to the extent that her publication, Tiny dancers: the integrin-growth factor nexus in angiogenic signaling, was acknowledged by Sir Elton John.18 She also reestablished her relationship with UNC’s MD/PhD program at a time when it was rapidly transforming into the high-profile program that exists today. She not only contributed to this evolution but took inspiration from these changes and applied them at her next academic home, the University of Kentucky (UK) in Lexington.Academics teach, serve, and do research. Physician-scientists also treat patients. Susan excelled in all these areas during her 15 years (2006–2021) at UK. Her research was funded by the VA and NIH and she was principal investigator on several clinical trials and training grants. Susan advanced to full Professor and became the Chief of Cardiology and the Director of the Gill Heart and Vascular Institute. Her group published an impressive 175 papers and countless abstracts while at UK, focusing on the roles of lysolipids and autotaxin in platelet activation and the effects of thromboinflammation in sepsis and left ventricular assist device surgery.19–24 She mentored 12 junior faculty and 39 trainees. Along with being an outstanding and caring physician, she still made time to lecture in and direct several courses. By any objective standard, she was an academic superstar, but with Susan, there was so much more to the story. She made a tremendous impact on the culture at UK through the programs she initiated or improved. Susan was instrumental in organizing the Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS) group, which has been a strong advocate for female clinicians and researchers at all levels. She started the Healthy Hearts for Women Symposium, which celebrates its ninth year in 2023. She was a leader in physician-scientist education, leading a Clinical Scholar T32 training grant for more than a decade and a TL1 training core starting in 2016, as well as serving as the chair of the NIH Workforce Development Task Force of the Clinical and Translational Science Award program and authoring major papers on the design of optimal educational programs.25,26 She also was a leader of the Clinical and Translational Science Award program, serving on the national Steering Committee from 2017 to 2020.Inspired by her observations of, and contributions to, the transformation of the MD/PhD program at Chapel Hill, Susan single-handedly changed the MD/PhD training program at UK. By improving its focus on research and career preparation, she created a nationally recognized program to train the next generation of physician-scientists. Not only was she the program’s director for 11 years, she was also an amazing example of what can be accomplished with the dual degree. But Susan’s impact went well beyond the university’s walls. As director of the Gill Institute, Susan led efforts to improve cardiovascular health in the rural, medically underserved areas of Kentucky. Such efforts saved lives. Susan also was a leader in the cardiovascular field, organizing the Platelet Colloquium and Vasculata meetings. Her service to ASH, AHA, and ISTH had significant impacts on the field. It is hard to highlight all of Susan’s achievements at Kentucky, there were so many major ones. However, despite all these accomplishments, Susan’s most lasting legacy is how she helped people, both ones she directly knew and those beyond that sphere. Susan was an accomplished physician-scientist, supportive mentor, and valued colleague who never wavered in doing things the “right way.” Because of her efforts, Kentucky is a better place.In 2021, Susan was recruited to UAMS in the career capstone position of Executive Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Medicine. Since UAMS is the only allopathic medical school in Arkansas, Susan became responsible for training the majority of physicians who will practice in the state. In addition, the College of Medicine oversees a research portfolio within the college that is among the top 15% for United States medical schools. In less than 2 years, Susan made substantial and lasting changes to the college, including several chair recruitments from prestigious universities, establishing a post-baccalaureate curriculum to facilitate medical school admissions from underrepresented parts of a largely rural state, and dramatically improving the emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She oversaw the expansion of the UAMS Northwest Arkansas medical school pathway from a 2-year to a 4-year program. Susan quickly integrated herself into the senior leadership team, and was recognized across the state as a thoughtful leader who actively promoted improved healthcare outcomes for all Arkansans. She continued her collaborative research programs with her husband Andrew, and played a substantial role in the UAMS Translational Research Institute.Susan brought her unique blend of scientific brilliance, contagious enthusiasm, and understated modesty to all her pursuits. As a junior scientist, Susan was the kindest and most supportive colleague, always reaching out to help everyone else in the lab. Her own research was a model of creative hypothesis development and design, fastidious execution, rigorous analysis, and precise reporting. As an academic leader at ever greater heights in multiple institutions, she brought compassion for the ill and underserved, encouragement and insightful support to those in training, and creative and devoted mentorship to all, including senior faculty. She led by example, embodying the highest ideals of academic medicine, and typifying the highest level of leadership, where people so respect and admire the leader that they want to emulate her. She leaves an unparalleled legacy of service, achievement, and inspiration.Article InformationDisclosures None.FootnotesFor Disclosures, see page 387.Correspondence to: Leslie V. Parise, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405. Email Leslie.[email protected].eduReferences1. Hillery CA, Smyth SS, Parise LV. Phosphorylation of human platelet glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa). Dissociation from fibrinogen receptor activation and phosphorylation of GPIIIa in vitro.J Biol Chem. 1991; 266:14663–14669. doi: 10.1016/s0021-9258(18)98736-3CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Smyth SS, Hillery CA, Parise LV. Fibrinogen binding to purified platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (integrin alpha IIb beta 3) is modulated by lipids.J Biol Chem. 1992; 267:15568–15577. doi: 10.1016/s0021-9258(19)49574-4CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Smyth SS, Joneckis CC, Parise LV. Regulation of vascular integrins.Blood. 1993; 81:2827–2843. doi: 10.1182/blood.v81.11.2827.bloodjournal81112827CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Smyth SS, Parise LV. Regulation of ligand binding to glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (integrin alpha IIb beta 3) in isolated platelet membranes.Biochem J. 1993; 292:749–758. doi: 10.1042/bj2920749CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Lengweiler S, Smyth SS, Jirouskova M, Scudder LE, Park H, Moran T, Coller BS. Preparation of monoclonal antibodies to murine platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (alphaIIbbeta3) and other proteins from hamster-mouse interspecies hybridomas.Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1999; 262:167–173. doi: 10.1006/bbrc.1999.1172CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. Smyth SS, Tsakiris DA, Scudder LE, Coller BS. Structure and function of murine GPIIb/IIIa (IIb3): studies using monoclonal antibodies and β3-null mice.Thromb Haemostas. 2000; 84:1103–1108.CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. Smyth SS, Reis ED, Vaananen H, Zhang W, Coller BS. Variable protection of β3-integrin-deficient mice from thrombosis initiated by different mechanisms.Blood. 2001; 98:1055–1062. doi: 10.1182/blood.v98.4.1055CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. Smyth SS, Reis ED, Zhang W, Fallon JT, Gordon RE, Coller BS. β3-integrin-deficient mice, but not P-selectin-deficient mice, develop intimal hyperplasia after vascular injury: correlation with leukocyte recruitment to adherent platelets 1 hour after injury.Circulation. 2001; 103:2501–2507. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.103.20.2501LinkGoogle Scholar9. Evangelista V, Manarini S, Coller BS, Smyth SS. Role of P-selectin, β2-integrins, and Src tyrosine kinases in mouse neutrophil-platelet adhesion.J Thromb Haemost. 2003; 1:1048–1054. doi: 10.1046/j.1538-7836.2003.00214.xCrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. Smyth SS, McEver RP, Weyrich AS, Morrell CN, Hoffman MR, Arepally GM, French PA, et al. Platelet functions beyond hemostasis.J Thromb Haemost. 2009; 7:1759–1766. doi: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2009.03586.xCrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar11. Li Z, Yang F, Dunn S, Gross AK, Smyth SS. Platelets as immune mediators: their role in host defense responses and sepsis.Thromb Res. 2011; 127:184–188. doi: 10.1016/j.thromres.2010.10.010CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. Sexton TR, Wallace EL, Macaulay TE, Charnigo RJ, Evangelista V, Campbell CL, Bailey AL, et al. The effect of rosuvastatin on platelet-leukocyte interactions in the setting of acute coronary syndrome.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015; 65:306–307. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2014.10.047CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar13. Sexton TR, Wallace EL, Macaulay TE, Charnigo RJ, et al. The effect of rosuvastatin on thromboinflammation in the setting of acute coronary syndrome.J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2015; 39:186–195. doi: 10.1007/s11239-014-1142-xCrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar14. Nagareddy P, Smyth SS. Inflammation and thrombosis in cardiovascular disease.Curr Opin Hematol. 2013; 20:457–463. doi: 10.1097/moh.0b013e328364219dCrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar15. Totani L, Piccoli A, Dell’Elba G, Concetta A, Di Santo A, Martelli N, Federico L, Pamuklar Z, Smyth SS, et al. Phosphodiesterase type 4 blockade prevents platelet-mediated neutrophil recruitment at the site of vascular injury.Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2014; 34:1689–1696. doi: 10.1161/atvbaha.114.303939LinkGoogle Scholar16. Sexton TR, Wallace EL, Chen A, Charnigo RJ, Reda HK, Ziada KM, Gurley JC, et al. Thromboinflammatory response and predictors of outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2016; 41:384–393. doi: 10.1007/s11239-015-1326-zCrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar17. Gorog DA, Storey RF, Gurbel PA, Tantry US, et al. Current and novel biomarkers of thrombotic risk in COVID-19: a Consensus Statement from the International COVID-19 Thrombosis Biomarkers Colloquium.Nat Rev Cardiol. 2022; 19:475–495. doi: 10.1038/s41569-021-00665-7CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar18. Smyth SS, Patterson C. Tiny dancers: the integrin-growth factor nexus in angiogenic signaling.J Cell Biol. 2002; 158:17–21. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200202100CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar19. Shrout T, Sexton T, Vsevolozhskaya O, Guglin M, Shafii A, Smyth S. Early signatures of bleeding and mortality in patients on left ventricular assist device support: novel methods for personalized risk-stratification.Biomarkers. 2019; 24:448–456. doi: 10.1080/1354750x.2019.1609089CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar20. Mueller P, Ye S, Morris A, Smyth SS. Lysophospholipid mediators in the vasculature.Exp Cell Res. 2015; 333:190–194. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2015.03.016CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar21. Brandon JA, Kraemer M, Vandra J, Halder S, Ubele M, Morris AJ, Smyth SS. Adipose-derived autotaxin regulates inflammation and steatosis associated with diet-induced obesity.PLoS One. 2019; 14:e0208099. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208099CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar22. Smyth SS, Kraemer M, Yang L, Van Hoose P, Morris AJ. Roles for lysophosphatidic acid signaling in vascular development and disease.Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids. 2020; 1865:158734. doi: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2020.158734CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar23. Sexton T, Chalhoub G, Ye S, Morris W, Annabathula R, Dugan A, Smyth S. Autotaxin activity predicts 30-day mortality in sepsis patients and correlates with platelet count and vascular dysfunction.Shock. 2020; 54:738–743. doi: 10.1097/shk.0000000000001569CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar24. Tripathi H, Al-Darraji A, Abo-Aly M, Peng H, et al. Autotaxin inhibition reduces cardiac inflammation and mitigates adverse cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction.J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2020; 149:95–114. doi: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2020.09.011CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar25. Tsevat J, Smyth SS. Training the translational workforce: expanding beyond translational research to include translational science.J Clin Transl Sci. 2020; 4:360–362. doi: 10.1017/cts.2020.31CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar26. Smyth SS, Coller BS, Jackson RD, Kern PA, et al. KL2 scholars’ perceptions of factors contributing to sustained translational science career success.J Clin Transl Sci. 2022; 6:e34. doi: 10.1017/cts.2021.886CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Previous Back to top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails March 2023Vol 43, Issue 3 Advertisement Article InformationMetrics © 2023 American Heart Association, Inc.https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.123.319003 Manuscript receivedJanuary 18, 2023Manuscript acceptedJanuary 20, 2023Originally publishedFebruary 16, 2023 PDF download Advertisement