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Dr. John Smith, PhD

Assistant Dean of Admissions

William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine


John K. Smith, PhD is a native of Jackson, MS. He graduated from Boston College in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree. He earned a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2008. He has published in multiple peer reviewed journals and has been the recipient of several awards including The Charles Randall Research Award and The American Association for Cancer Research Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Award. Dr. Smith completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. His research interests include the role of Janus Kinase (JAK) signaling in tumorigenesis, and insulin-like growth factor receptor involvement in tumor development and progression. 

Dr. Smith joined the faculty at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM) in 2011 as a Professor of Pre-clinical Sciences (Pharmacology). He was awarded Best Science Professor in 2011 and 2012 and co-awarded this same distinction in 2013. In 2022, he accepted the position of Assistant Dean for Student A?airs. He is responsible for the recruitment of eligible applicants and formulating policies directly related to WCUCOM admissions and student services. Dr. Smith lives in Hattiesburg, MS with his wife and child.