This document outlines the teaching, research, and service experience of Heather C Jensen Smith, Ph.D. Her areas of research interest include regulation of cellular metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction. She has received NIH funding to study the impact of endogenous metabolic biases on ototoxic damage. Her teaching experience includes neuroscience courses and she mentors undergraduate and medical students. She serves on university committees and works with local education outreach programs.

1. Heather C Jensen Smith, Ph.D.
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FIELDS OF INTEREST
Teaching
1. Regulation of Cellular Metabolism
2. Neuroscience, Neuroanatomy and Neuropharmacology
3. Regulation of Cellular Physiology
4. Course Development and Design
Research
1. Mechanisms mediating cochlear damage and hearing loss.
2. Regulation of mitochondrial metabolism.
3. The role of mitochondrial dysfunction in free radical production, cellular damage and cell death.
TEACHING/MENTORSHIP ACTIVITY
2013
1. IDC 792, Hot Topics in Neurosciences, 1h lecture, ototoxicity
2009 – present
2. IDC 111, Neuroscience and Neuroanatomy, 7 hrs laboratory instruction.
3. PBP 506, Post-Baccalaureate Program: Neuroscience component, 6 hrs lecture, 2 hrs laboratory instruction. .
2012
4. HSMACA Summer Research Program, 1h lecture.
2006 - 2012
5. Advanced Fluorescent Imaging and Confocal Microscopy (3.5 h/ lab), Creighton University Integrated
Biomedical Imaging Facility, approximately 12 classes / year.
2004
6. HSMACA Summer Research Laboratory Course (5 hrs lab, 4 hrs lecture)
Graduate Dissertation Committees (Biomedical Sciences)
1. Rochelle Wickramaserkara
2. Cody Barta
3. Kevin Thiessen
Undergraduate Research Mentorships (Arts and Sciences)
1. Lana Zholudeva (INBRE Scholar, Baumann Family Research Scholarship, 1
st
Place Saint Albert’s Day)
2. Danielle Desa (CURAS/Ferlic Undergraduate Research Scholar)
3. Christina Miller (CURAS/Ferlic Undergraduate Research Scholar)
4. Charles Altfillish
5. Kara Arnold
Medical Student Research Mentorship
1. Erinn Riley
Medical Resident (UNMC ENT) Research Mentorship
1. Dr. Alex Bien
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
1. Jensen Smith, HC (Principal Investigator) Impact of Endogenous Metabolic Biases on Cochlear Inner and
Outer Hair Cell Oxidative Damage During Ototoxic Challenge.
NIH: NIDCD RO3, $435,000.00 Total Costs; July 2012 – May 2016.

2. Heather C Jensen Smith, Ph.D.
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This project aims to identify the fundamental metabolic differences between cochlear inner and outer hair cells
and to determine how these differences mediate cellular responses to ototoxic agents.
2. Jensen Smith, HC (Principal Investigator), Nichols GM (Co-Investigator) NADH Fluorescence Lifetime-Based
Analysis of Mitochondrial Dysfunction during Ototoxic Antibiotic Exposure.
NIH: NIGMS CoBRE NEW GRANT $72,500.00 total costs; July 2013 – June 2014.
This project measures alterations in NADH fluorescence lifetimes to determine if NADH concentration and/or
NADH’s interactions in isolated mitochondria and cochlear hair cells are altered during aminoglycoside
exposures.
3. Jensen Smith, HC (Principal Investigator), Nichols GM (Co-Investigator) NADH Fluorescence Lifetime-Based
Analysis of Mitochondrial Dysfunction during Ototoxic Antibiotic Exposure.
NIH: NIGMS CoBRE PILOT GRANT, $72,500.00 Total Costs; July 2012 – May 2013.
To determine the mechanisms mediating hearing loss this project uses NADH fluorescence imaging to
determine if there are endogenous differences between sensory and supporting cells in the cochlea. This
project also measures alterations in NADH fluorescence lifetimes to determine if NADH concentration and/or
NADH’s interactions in isolated mitochondria and cochlear hair cells are altered during ototoxic aminoglycoside
exposures.
4. Jensen Smith, HC (Principal Investigator), Relative Contributions of Lateral Wall Components to Outer Hair
Cell Mechanics.
Deafness Research Foundation, $20,000.00 total costs; July 2005 – June 2006.
SERVICE
University
1. Creighton University Academic Council, Elected Member 2014-
2. Creighton University Faculty Council, Elected Member 2014-
3. Creighton University Safety Council, Appointed Member, 2009-present.
4. Creighton University Laboratory Safety Council, Appointed Member, 2010-present.
5. Creighton Wellness Champion, Member, 2012-present.
6. Staff Advisory Council Health Sciences Representative, Subcommittee Memberships: Staff Relations and Staff
Issues, elected member, 2010-2012.
Community
1. S.T.E.M. Enrichment Program Organizer and Participating Scientist. Target School: Crescent Elementary, IA,
2012-2014.
2. Science Curriculum Advisor and Writer for Opportunity Education Foundation, 2012-present.
3. Scientific Consultant and 7th grade Science Educator for Opportunity Education Foundation’s educational DVD
series, 2011.
SEMINARS
1. Jensen Smith, H., (Jan 2014) Investigating Endogenous Differences in Cochlear Sensory and Supporting Cell
Mitochondrial Metabolism: Cell-Specific Responses to Ototoxic Challenge, COBRE Research Seminar, University
of Nebraska Medical Center.
2. Jensen Smith, H., (Aug 2012) Endogenous Differences Mitochondrial Metabolism Bias Sensory Cell Responses
to Ototoxic Challenge, COBRE Research Seminar, University of Nebraska Medical Center.
3. Jensen Smith, H., (May 2012) Impact of Endogenous Metabolic Biases on Ototoxic Damage to the Inner Ear,
Biomedical Sciences Seminar Series, Creighton University.
4. Jensen Smith, H., (Nov 2010) Endogenous Differences in Inner and Outer Hair Cell Metabolism Mediate Early
Responses to Gentamicin Ototoxicity, Biomedical Sciences Seminar Series, Creighton University.
PUBLICATIONS (*Corresponding Author)
Book Chapters
1. M.G. Nichols*, K. Ward, L. Zholudeva , H. Jensen Smith, (2014) Autofluorescence Lifetime Imaging. Chapter in
Natural Markers for Cellular Metabolism: Biology, Techniques, Applications, V. Ghukasyan and A. Heikal (eds.),
Series in Cellular and Clinical Imaging, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

3. Heather C Jensen Smith, Ph.D.
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2. Currall B, Jensen-Smith H, Hallworth*, R (2011) Homo- and hetero-oligomerization in the Slc26a protein family.
What Fire is in Mine Ears: Progress in Auditory Biomechanics. Shera CA, Olson ES (eds), American Institute of
Physics, Melville, NY: pp 148-153.
3. Jensen-Smith, H., Currall, B., Rossino, D., Tiede, L., Nichols, M. and Hallworth*, R. (2009) Fluorescence
Microscopy Methods in the Study of Protein Structure and Function. Molecular Techniques in Auditory &
Vestibular Research, B. Sokolowski (ed.), Methods in Molecular Biology 493, Humana Press, Totowa, N.J., 369-
380.
4. Hallworth*, R & Jensen-Smith, H (2008) Electromotility and Morphological Specializations of the Mammalian
Outer Hair Cell. Active Processes and Otoacoustic Emissions, Geoffrey Manley (ed), Springer Handbooks of
Auditory Research. New York.
5. Jensen-Smith*, H. & Hallworth, R. (2006) Outer Hair Cell Mechanics are Altered by Developmental Changes in
Lateral Wall Protein Content. Auditory Mechanisms: Processes and Models, Alfred Nuttall, Tianying Ren, Peter
Gillespie, Karl Grosh, Edbert de Boer (eds), World Scientific Publishing Company.
Peer-Reviewed Manuscripts
6. Zholudeva, L., Ward, K., Nichols, M., Jensen Smith, H. (in press) The Effects of Ototoxic Aminoglycoside
Antibiotics on Cochlear Hair Cells Measured by NAD(P)H Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging. Journal of Biomedical
Optics
7. Jensen-Smith*, H, Hallworth, R, Nichols, M (2012) Gentamicin Rapidly Inhibits Mitochondrial Metabolism in High-
Frequency Cochlear Outer Hair Cells. PLoS ONE 7(6): e38471. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0038471.
8. Weston, M., Pierce, M., Jensen-Smith, H., Fritzsch, B., Rocha-Sanchez, S., Beisel, K., Soukup*, G. (2011)
MicroRNA-183 family expression in hair cell development and requirement of microRNAs for hair cell
maintenance and survival. Dev Dynamics, 240: 808-819.
9. Currall B, Rossino D, Jensen-Smith H, Hallworth* R. (2011) The Roles of Conserved and Non-Conserved
Cysteinyl Residues in the Oligomerization and Function of Mammalian Prestin. J Neurophysiol. J Neurophysiol
jn.00496.2011, doi:10.1152/jn.00496.2011.
10. Pitz, A, Perry, G, Jensen-Smith, H, Gentry-Nielsen*, M. (2010) A flow cytometric assay to quantify in vivo
bacterial uptake by alveolar macrophages. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 81: 194–196.
11. Banerjee A, Jensen-Smith H, Lazzell A, Prasad V, Elguezabal G, Hallworth R, Ludueña* RF. (2008) Localization
of betav tubulin in the cochlea and cultured cells with a novel monoclonal antibody. Cell Motil Cytoskeleton.
65(6):505-14.
12. Jensen-Smith, H., Grey, B.,Muirhead, K., Ohlsson-Wilhelm, B., Fritzsch*, B. (2007) Long-Distance Three-Color
Neuronal Tracing in Fixed Tissue Using NeuroVue® Dyes. Immunological Investigations: A Journal of Molecular
and Cellular Immunology, 36 (5-6): 763-89.
13. Jensen-Smith*, H., & Hallworth, R. (2007) Lateral Wall Protein Content Mediates Alterations in Cochlear Outer
Hair Cell Mechanics before and after Hearing Onset. Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton, 64 (9): 705-717.
14. Jensen-Smith, H.C., Eley, J., Steyger, P.S., Ludueña, R.F., & Hallworth*, R. (2003) Cell Type-Specific Reduction
of β Tubulin Isotypes Synthesized in the Developing Organ of Corti. Journal of Neurocytology, 32: 185-197.
15. Jensen-Smith, H.C., Ludueña, R.F., & Hallworth*, R. (2003) Requirement for the βI and βIV Tubulin Isotypes in
Mammalian Cilia. Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton, 55: 213-220.
16. Perry, B., Jensen-Smith, H.C., Ludueña, R.F., & Hallworth*, R. (2003) Selective Expression of β Tubulin
Isotypes in Gerbil Vestibular Sensory Epithelia and Neurons. Journal of the Association for Research in
Otolaryngology, 4: 329-338.
17. Woo, K., Jensen-Smith, H.C., Ludueña, R.F., & Hallworth*, R. (2002) Differential Synthesis of β Tubulin Isotypes
in Gerbil Nasal Epithelia. Cell and Tissue Research, 309: 331-335.
18. Bevins*, R.A., Besheer J., Palmatier, M.I., Jensen, H.C., Pickett, K.S., & Eurek S. (2002) Novel-object Place
Conditioning: Behavioral and Dopaminergic Processes in Expression of Novelty Reward. Behavioural Brain
Research, 129: 41-50.
19. Besheer, J., Jensen, H.C., & Bevins*, R.A. (1999) Dopamine Antagonism in a Novel-Object Preference and a
Novel Object Place Conditioning Preparation with Rats. Behavioural Brain Research, 103: 35-44.
20. Bevins, R.A., Jensen, H.C., Hinze, T.S., & Besheer*, J. (1999) Taste Quality and Extinction of a Conditioned
Taste Aversion in Rats. Animal Learning and Behavior, 27: 358-366.
Research Abstracts
21. Ward
,
K., Zholudeva, L., Nichols, M., Jensen-Smith, H. (Feb 2013) Gentamicin Differentially Affects OHC and
IHC Metabolism as Revealed by NADH Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging. 57
th
Annual Biophysical Society Meeting.
Biophysical Journal 104(2) pp. 305a
22. Zholudeva, L., Ward, K., Nichols, M., Jensen Smith, H. (Feb 2014) Two-Photon Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging

4. Heather C Jensen Smith, Ph.D.
Page 4 of 6
for Metabolic Profiling of Cochlear Dysfunction. 58
th
Annual Biophysical Society Meeting. Biophysical Journal Vol.
106, Issue 2, p185a.
23. Jensen Smith, H., Desa, D., Miller, C., Nichols, M. (Feb 2014) Endogenous Differences in Cochlear Sensory and
Supporting Cell Mitochondrial Metabolism Bias Free Radical Production during Ototoxin Exposure. 58
th
Annual
Biophysical Society Meeting. Biophysical Journal Vol. 106, Issue 2, p185a.
Manuscript Reviews
1. Ad Hoc Reviewer: PLoS ONE (2011)
2. Hoc Reviewer: Tissue and Cell (2009)
RESEARCH MEETINGS (most recent, 8 total)
Podium Presentations (Presenting Author)
1. Jensen Smith, H., (May 2014) Sensory Cell Metabolic Dysfunction during Acute Ototoxic Insult. COBRE Annual
Research Meeting, Omaha, NE.
2. Jensen Smith, H., (Feb 2014) Differences in Cochlear Sensory and Supporting Cell Mitochondrial Metabolism
Bias Free Radical Production, Association for Research in Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
3. Jensen Smith, H., (April 2012) Multiphoton Microscopy Unveils the Impact of Endogenous Cochlear Metabolism
on Ototoxic Hearing Loss, Omaha imaging symposium, Creighton University.
4. Jensen-Smith, H (Nov 2011) Two-Photon Derived Insights into the Dynamics of Endogenous Cochlear
Metabolism. Iowa Microscopy Society Meeting, University of Iowa
5. Jensen-Smith, H.C., Bien, A, & Hallworth, R (Feb 2005) Addition of Spectrin to the Lateral Wall Modifies Outer
Hair Mechanical Properties. Association for Research in Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
6. Jensen-Smith, H.C., Bien, A., Hallworth, R (Sept 2004) Elaboration of the Outer Hair Cell Cortical Cytoskeleton
is Associated with Changes in Mechanical Properties. The Molecular Biology of Hearing and Deafness
Conference, Bethesda, MD.
Poster Presentations (Presenting Author)
2012-2014
1. Zholudeva, L., Ward, K., Nichols, M., Jensen Smith, H. (Feb 2014) Two-Photon Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging
for Metabolic Profiling of Cochlear Dysfunction. Annual Biophysical Society Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
2. Jensen Smith, H., Desa, D., Miller, C., Nichols, M. (Feb 2014) Endogenous Differences in Cochlear Sensory and
Supporting Cell Mitochondrial Metabolism Bias Free Radical Production during Ototoxin Exposure. Annual
Biophysical Society Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
3. Pierce, M., Jensen Smith, H., Soukup, G. (Feb 2014) Profound Deafness and Hair Cell Loss in miR-183 Family
Knockout Models. Association for Research in Otolaryngology Meeting, San Diego, CA.
4. Zholudeva, L., Ward, K., Nichols, M., Jensen Smith, H. (April 2014) Metabolic Profiling of Cochleae via Two-
Photon Fluorescence Lifetime Microscopy. St. Albert’s Day, Omaha, NE.
5. Desa, D., Miller, C., Nichols, M., Jensen Smith, H. (April 2014) Endogenous Differences in Cochlear Sensory
and Supporting Cell Mitochondrial Metabolism Bias Free Radical Production during Ototoxin Exposure. St.
Albert’s Day, Omaha, NE.
6. Zholudeva, L., Ward, K., Nichols, M., Jensen Smith, H. (Dec 2013) Metabolic Profiling of Cultured Murine
Cochlea via Fluorescence Lifetime Microscopy. American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting, New Orleans,
LA.
7. Ward
,
K., Zholudeva, L., Nichols, M., Jensen-Smith, H. (Feb 2013) Gentamicin Differentially Affects OHC and
IHC Metabolism as Revealed by NADH Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging. 57
th
Annual Biophysical Society Meeting.
Philadelphia, PA.
8. Ward
,
K., Nichols, M., Hallworth, R., Jensen-Smith, H. (Feb 2013) Intensity- and Lifetime-Based Analyses of
Endogenous Differences in NADH Metabolism in Cochlear Hair Cells. Annual Nebraska Academy of Sciences
Meeting, Lincoln, NE.
9. Pierce, M., Jensen-Smith, H., Steenson, S., Bradfield, C., Dewan, I., Soukup, G. (Feb 2013) Effects of Small
RNA Depletion on Development of Mammalian Inner Ear and Sensory Hair Cell Differentiation and Maintenance.
Association for Research in Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.

5. Heather C Jensen Smith, Ph.D.
Page 5 of 6
10. Ward
,
K., Zholudeva, L., Nichols, M., Jensen-Smith, H. (March 2013) Gentamicin Differentially Affects OHC and
IHC Metabolism as Revealed by NADH Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging. Annual St. Albert's Day/University
Research Day, Creighton University, Omaha, Ne.
11. Ward
,
K., Nichols, M., Zholudeva, L., Jensen-Smith, H. (April 2013) Let there be light! Laser scanning microscopy
reveals cellular metabolism. 17
th
Annual Posters on the Hill Conference, Washington, DC.
12. Ward
,
K., Nichols, M., Jensen-Smith, H. (Aug 2012) Endogenous difference in mitochondrial metabolism via
ototoxic antibiotics. Annual Nebraska INBRE Meeting, Grand Island, NE.
13. Currall, B., Jensen-Smith, H., Hallworth, R., (Feb 2012) Homo- And Hetero-Oligomerization in the Slc26a Family,
Association for Research in Otolaryngology Annual Meeting
14. Pierce, M., Jensen-Smith, H., Walsh, E., McGee, J., Korte, M., Fritzsch, B., Soukup, G. (April 2012), Small RNA
Depletion in Hair Cells Leads to Progressive Stereocilia Defects, Cell Death and Hearing Loss, Association for
Research in Otolaryngology Annual Meeting.
2011-2001 (15 additional presentations not shown)
15. Pierce, M., Weston, M., Jensen-Smith, H., Walsh, E., McGee, J., Korte, M., Fritzsch, B., Rocha-Sanchez, S.,
Soukup, G. (Feb 2011) Hair Cell MicroRNA Depletion Affects Hair Cell Maintenance and Causes Progressive
Hearing Loss, Association for Research in Otolaryngology Annual Meeting
16. Jensen-Smith, H, Kamien, A, Hallworth, R. (Feb 2010) Cochlear Hair Cells Exhibit Rapid, Mitochondria-Mediated
Responses to Gentamicin Treatment, Association for Research in Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA.
17. Pierce, M, Weston, M, Walsh, E, McGee, J, Korte, M, Jensen-Smith, H, Fritzsch, B, Rocha-Sanchez, S, Soukup,
G (Feb. 2010) Hair cell-specific microRNA depletion affects hair cell maintenance and causes progressive
hearing loss, Association for Research in Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA.
18. Tay, A., Arrick, D., Shao, C., Sun, H., Kanmogne, G., Jensen-Smith, H., Hallworth, R., Mayhan, W., Bidasee, K.
(Feb. 2009) Methylglyoxal Impairs Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cell Function in Vivo and in Vitro. 12
th
Annual
Cardiovascular Research Symposium, Omaha, NE.
19. Kennedy, J., Jensen-Smith, H., Forse, A., Thomas, P., Bajenova, O. (Aug 2008) The Role of CEA-binding
protein hnRNPM in colorectal cancer cell invasiveness and cancer cell fusion. Joint Metastasis Research
Society-AACR Conference on Metastasis, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
20. Jensen-Smith, H., Grey, B.,Muirhead, K., Ohlsson-Wilhelm, B., Fritzsch, B. (Feb 2008) Analysis of Multicolor
Neuronal Profiling using Novel Lipophilic Dyes. Association for Research in Otolaryngology Annual Meeting,
Phoenix, AZ.
21. Jensen-Smith, H., & Hallworth, R (March 2007) Postnatal Alterations in OHC Stiffness and Protein Content.
Nebraska Research Expo, Omaha, NE.
22. Jensen-Smith, H., & Hallworth, R (Feb 2006) Lateral Wall Protein Content Modulates OHC Stiffness Before and
After the Onset of Hearing. Association for Research in Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
23. Jensen-Smith, H., Bien, A, & Hallworth, R (Febr 2005) Addition of Spectrin to the Lateral Wall Modifies Outer
Hair Mechanical Properties. Association for Research in Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
24. Jensen-Smith, H., Bien, A., Hallworth, R (April 2005) Elaboration of the Outer Hair Cell Cortical Cytoskeleton is
Associated with Changes in Mechanical Properties. Nebraska Research Expo, Omaha, NE.
25. Jensen-Smith, H. & Hallworth, R (July 2005). Outer Hair Cell Mechanics are Altered by Developmental Changes
in Lateral Wall Spectrin and Actin Content. The Ninth Mechanics of Hearing Workshop, Portland, OR.
26. Jensen-Smith, H., Van Winkle, R, Ursitti, J.A., Bloch, R.J., & Hallworth, R (Feb 2004) Distribution of Spectrin
Isoforms in the Organ of Corti. Association for Research in Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, Daytona Beach, FL.
27. Hallworth, R., Jensen-Smith, H.C., & Bien, A.G. (Oct 2004) Elaboration of the Outer Hair Cell Cortical
Cytoskeleton Accompanies Changes in Membrane Mechanical Properties. 41
st
Annual Technical Meeting of the
Society of Engineering Scientists. Lincoln, NE.
28. Jensen-Smith, H.C & Hallworth, R. (Feb 2003) Post-Natal Elaboration of the Actin-Spectrin Cortical Cytoskeleton
in Gerbil Outer Hair Cells. Association for Research in Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, Daytona Beach, FL.
29. Jensen-Smith, H.C., Eley, J., Ludueña, R.F., & Hallworth, R. (Jan 2002) Cochlear β Tubulin Isotype
Reorganization During and After Post-Mitotic Microtubule Elaboration. Association for Research in
Otolaryngology Annual Meeting, St. Petersburg, FL.
30. Jensen-Smith, H.C., Eley, J., Ludueña, R.F., & Hallworth, R. (Feb 2002) β Tubulins: Isotype Specific Changes in
Cellular Morphology in the Developing Cochlea. 33
rd
Annual Midwest Students Biomedical Research Forum,
Omaha, NE.
31. Hallworth, R., Jensen-Smith, H.C., Eley, J., & Ludueña, R.F. (Oct 2001) Changes in β Tubulin Isotype
Expression during Post-Natal Cochlea Development. The Molecular Biology of Hearing and Deafness
Conference, Bethesda, MD.

6. Heather C Jensen Smith, Ph.D.
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