Constance L. Smith-Hicks, M.D., Ph.D.

Kennedy Krieger Institute
3901 Greenspring Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21211
Phone: (443) 923-7646
Email: hicksc@kennedykrieger.org

Dr. Smith-Hicks is a pediatric neurologist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Biographical Sketch:

Dr. Smith-Hicks earned her bachelor of science degree in biochemistry from the City College of New York (CUNY). She then entered the medical scientist training program at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where she obtained her doctoral degree in genetics in 1998 and medical degree in 2000. Dr. Smith-Hicks completed her pediatrics training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2002, and her neurology and pediatric neurology training at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2005. She did her post-doctoral training with Dr. Paul Worley in the Department of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she studied the role of immediate early genes in synaptic plasticity mechanisms. Dr. Smith-Hicks is a pediatric neurologist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute with a special interest in autism.

Research Summary:

Dr. Smith-Hicks' clinical and research interests are in autism and neuro-developmental disorders affecting learning and memory. The major focus of her research is to understand the molecular and cellular basis of activity dependent synaptic plasticity relevant to these disorders with the combined goal of defining the mechanism and translating these findings to new therapies. Her laboratory utilizes molecular, biochemical and electrophysiological techniques, as well as strategies that rely on the cellular reporting of neuronal network activity from awake, behaving animals. Her work is currently directed at understanding the mechanisms relevant to Fragile X and Down syndrome.

LINK: SciVal Experts Research Profile for Constance Smith-Hicks