Beth Smith, PT, DPT, PhD

Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy

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Overview

Dr. Smith focuses on the development of neural control of movement during infancy and evaluates interventions for neural and functional development in infants with or at risk for developmental delay. She directs the Infant Neuromotor Control Laboratory.

Research Funding

  • 2/24 Healthy Brain and Child Development National Consortium
    NIH · U01DA055362 · Sep 30, 2021 – Jun 30, 2027 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • Mobile Health Intervention to Promote Positive Infant Health Outcomes in Guatemala
    NIH · R33HD107983 · Sep 1, 2021 – Aug 31, 2026 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Mobile Health Intervention to Promote Positive Infant Health Outcomes in Guatemala
    NIH · R21HD107983 · Sep 1, 2021 – Aug 31, 2023 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Emergence of arm reaching behavior and lateralization of motor control in infancy
    NIH · R01HD101641 · Sep 17, 2020 – Jan 31, 2026 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Locomotor learning in infants at high risk for cerebral palsy
    NIH · R01HD098364 · Mar 18, 2020 – Feb 28, 2025 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • Wearable Sensors for Early Identification of Poor Neurodevelopment in Guatemala
    NIH · R21HD096521 · Jul 15, 2019 – Jun 30, 2021 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Neural correlates of the development of reaching in infants at risk for developmental delay
    NIH · R03HD096137 · Jul 15, 2018 – Jun 30, 2021 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Cortical Preparation for Postural Responses in Parkinson's Disease
    NIH · F32HD070796 · May 1, 2011 – Sep 30, 2011 · Role: Principal Investigator

Publications

  • Smartphone-based support for early childhood development in a rural low-resource setting: an individually randomised pilot feasibility trial from Guatemala. BMJ Paediatr Open. 2026 Jun 12; 10(1).. View in PubMed
  • Characterizing infant leg movements using 72-h wearable sensor data: Descriptive analysis from a large, heterogenous sample of infants 0-2 months of age from the HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study. Infant Behav Dev. 2026 Jun 04; 84:102199.. View in PubMed
  • Carbohydrate composition of infant formula and glycemic regulation in early infancy using continuous glucose monitoring: cross-sectional evidence of altered glucose patterns with corn syrup solid-based formulas. Am J Clin Nutr. 2026 Jul; 124(1):101325.. View in PubMed
  • Integrating cognitive behavioral therapy into specialty care for adolescents with cystic fibrosis: a feasibility trial. J Pediatr Psychol. 2026 May 01; 51(5):442-453.. View in PubMed
  • Spontaneous Leg Movements Measured by Wearable Sensors in Infancy Differentiate Later Risk for Cerebral Palsy. Pediatr Neurol. 2026 Jul; 180:26-31.. View in PubMed
  • The Human Cost of Respiratory Care: Professional Quality of Life and Burnout Across Multidisciplinary Cystic Fibrosis Teams. Chest. 2026 Mar 14.. View in PubMed
  • Advancing Mental Healthcare for Individuals With Cystic Fibrosis in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2026 Mar; 61(3):e71549.. View in PubMed
  • Feasibility of tracking mental health in cystic fibrosis registries: lessons from current practice. Respir Med. 2026 Mar; 253:108703.. View in PubMed
  • Behavioral differences between infants at and not at elevated risk for autism during a contingency paradigm. PLoS One. 2026; 21(1):e0340732.. View in PubMed
  • A comparison of transition experiences and practice readiness of newly licensed nurses with in-person and virtual residency training: A national observational study. Nurse Educ Pract. 2026 Feb; 91:104721.. View in PubMed