Charlotte Smith grew up in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with her parents and two younger brothers. Her father worked in printing and her mother in childcare. She was the first person in her family to attend university. Her interest in science began in high school. “I first became interested in science during my high school biology class and decided to pursue this interest at university,” she says.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in physiology and her PhD in cardiovascular sciences at the University of Manchester. She was introduced to biophysics there by her undergraduate course director and her advisor, both of whom studied ion channels. “They encouraged me to undertake a research project and subsequently pursue a PhD in cardiac electrophysiology, where I developed a passion for understanding how ion movement underlies electrical excitation, calcium signaling, and muscle contraction,” Smith shares. That final-year research project made a lasting impression. She adds, “I enjoyed the work so much that I returned to the lab as a research assistant after completing my bachelor’s degree and then went on to pursue my PhD and first postdoc there!”
Her first postdoctoral position, also at Manchester, focused on cellular electrophysiological and structural remodeling in heart failure. She used patch-clamp electrophysiology and super-resolution imaging. She then moved to the University of California, Davis for a second postdoc to gain expertise in tissue-level optical mapping. There, she investigated sex differences in atrial electrophysiology and susceptibility to arrhythmias.
Her current work examines how the atria are remodeled with age and how those changes contribute to atrial fibrillation. “In particular, I study how aging alters atrial electrical activity, calcium handling, and tissue structure, with the goal of identifying the cellular and tissue-level mechanisms that increase susceptibility to arrhythmias,” she says. “Ultimately, I hope this work will help us better understand why arrhythmia risk increases with age and identify new approaches for prevention and treatment.”
Smith shares that the biggest challenge of her career was relocating from the United Kingdom to the United States. She explains, “It was a big adjustment, both personally and professionally, but having my husband by my side and the encouragement of family back home made the transition much easier.”
She also credits her mentors at the University of California, Davis, Crystal Ripplinger and Eleonora Grandi, along with a close group of friends there for easing the transition. “Staying connected with family and friends back home while embracing new experiences and opportunities has helped me make the most of the move—and my family are also enjoying their trips to California!” she adds.
When asked what she loves most about biophysics, Smith replies that the breadth of biophysics is its main draw. “My favorite thing about biophysics is how interdisciplinary and diverse it is,” she says. “It brings together ideas and techniques from different fields to understand biological processes at different scales, from individual molecules to complex biological systems.” She also enjoys watching how the development of new tools changes what researchers can study, including “seeing how technological advances allow us to investigate biological processes in ways that weren’t previously possible.”
In her own work, she finds the most satisfaction in open questions. She notes, “The most rewarding aspect of my work is being able to tackle challenging questions that we don’t yet know the answers to.” Mentoring has become another highlight as her career has progressed; she reveals, “I’ve also found that I really enjoy mentoring trainees and seeing them gain confidence, develop their skills, and progress towards becoming independent scientists.”
Looking ahead, Smith expects new technologies to keep opening up the field. “I hope to contribute to the field by uncovering new mechanisms underlying disease and helping translate our understanding of these mechanisms into better approaches for prevention and treatment,” she says. As she starts her independent career, she also wants to encourage “the next generation of scientists to pursue creative and interdisciplinary approaches to scientific questions.”
Smith first became involved with the Biophysical Society through a travel award that let her attend the Annual Meeting early in her career. “It gave me the opportunity to present my research, receive feedback, and learn about exciting work from other groups around the world,” she states. She has attended the meeting ever since and values it for the community that comes together during the annual gathering. “I also really enjoy the Annual Meeting, which brings together such a diverse group of researchers from across the biophysics community,” she adds.
More recently, she has volunteered on the Early Career Committee, helping organize career development and networking events. Smith shares that the experience “has helped me build my confidence and develop new leadership skills.” She also appreciates how engaged the Society is with its members. “They put on lots of career development, networking, and information sessions, both at the Annual Meeting and virtually throughout the year.”
If she were not a biophysicist, Smith thinks she would work as a journalist or scientific writer. “I enjoy reading the news and keeping up with what’s happening in the world, and I’ve always enjoyed writing,” she says. The job would let her combine those interests with her love of science and “communicating complex ideas to a wider audience.”
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, cooking, paddleboarding, watching sports, and spending time with friends and family. She also likes going to gigs and trivia nights.
Smith’s advice to those starting out in biophysics is simple: “Stay curious, be open to new opportunities, and don’t be afraid to try something outside your comfort zone. Find good mentors and people you enjoy working with, and don’t worry if your career takes a few unexpected turns. Most importantly, find something you’re passionate about and that keeps you excited to learn and ask questions.”