Dr. Richard D. Smith is a distinguished scientist renowned for his pioneering contributions to analytical chemistry and proteomics. He served as a Battelle Fellow and Chief Scientist within the Biological Sciences Division at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory until his retirement in 2024, where he also directed proteomics research and led the NIH Proteomics Research Resource for Integrative Biology. With academic appointments as adjunct faculty at Washington State University and the University of Utah, and affiliate faculty positions at the University of Idaho and Oregon Health & Science University, Dr. Smith maintained robust connections to the academic community throughout his career. He earned his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Utah in 1975 under the guidance of Jean Futrell, establishing the foundation for his groundbreaking work in separation science and mass spectrometry.
Dr. Smith's research fundamentally transformed analytical chemistry through the development of ultra-sensitive technologies for proteome analysis, including the revolutionary ion funnel and Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations platforms that dramatically enhanced the speed and sensitivity of mass spectrometry. His innovations in electrospray ionization, capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry, and high-throughput proteomic platforms enabled unprecedented quantitative analysis of complex biological systems, advancing medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring. As author or co-author of approximately 1100 peer-reviewed publications and holder of 70 US patents, his scientific impact is both extensive and profound, with his methodologies becoming standard practice in laboratories worldwide. His exceptional contributions were recognized with numerous prestigious awards including the ACS Award for Analytical Chemistry, the HUPO Discovery Award in Proteomics Sciences, and being named R&D Magazine's Scientist of the Year in 2010.
Beyond his technical innovations, Dr. Smith played a pivotal role in shaping the field of proteomics through leadership in major collaborative initiatives including the Clinical Proteomic Technologies for Cancer program and the development of the Pacific Northwest Advanced Compound Identification Core. His commitment to advancing scientific methodology earned him 12 R&D 100 Awards, recognizing his most significant technological developments as among the year's most important innovations. As a mentor and scientific leader, Dr. Smith cultivated the next generation of analytical chemists and proteomics researchers, establishing training programs that have produced numerous leaders in the field. Though retired from active laboratory work in 2024, his legacy continues through the widespread adoption of his technologies and the ongoing research of his many academic descendants who continue to push the boundaries of analytical science.
