UNC Charlotte Nursing faculty member, Christopher Smith, Earns National Recognition for Cardiometabolic Health Study

Dr. Christopher Smith, an early career biobehavioral researcher at UNC Charlotte’s School of Nursing, is advancing critical research in cardiometabolic health with a focus on rural populations. His work investigates metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms, as well as lifestyle behaviors, that shape cardiovascular and blood pressure outcomes.

Mentored by Dr. Brittany Butts of Emory University’s Hodgkins School of Nursing, Dr. Smith recently achieved a significant milestone with the acceptance of his abstract, “Metabolic pathways differ in Black adults with heart failure with and without diabetes,” for a moderated digital presentation at the 2025 American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions.

In recognition of the scientific merit of his research, Dr. Smith has been awarded the 2025 AHA Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing (CVSN) Early Career Researcher Travel Grant and Award. This competitive honor is presented to exemplary early career researchers engaged in biobehavioral and physiological cardiovascular research.

Dr. Smith will be formally recognized and presented with an award certificate at the CVSN Council dinner on Saturday, November 8, during the AHA Scientific Sessions.