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Tracy Smith

Tracy Smith

Senior Lecturer

Biological Sciences

Biological Sciences 466

Education

Ph D University of Maryland Baltimore County 2014

M.Ed. Wesley College 2002

BS Washington College 2000

tsmith6@umbc.edu

+1 410 455 3384

Research Interests

The Evolution of Dogs and the Impact of Artificial Breed Barriers
My research explores the fascinating evolutionary history of dogs, tracing their journey from their origins to their complex relationships with humans today. Dogs are thought to have descended from a now-extinct wolf ancestor in Eurasia, but the precise timing, location, and circumstances of this domestication event remain subjects of intense scientific inquiry. Advances in DNA technology, particularly in ancient DNA analysis, are providing unprecedented insights into this history, offering a deeper understanding of how dogs transitioned from wild predators to human companions. These discoveries are reshaping our knowledge of dog domestication, revealing the intricate interplay between genetics, environment, and human influence in shaping their evolution.

Beyond their evolutionary history, my work also examines the modern genetic challenges facing domestic dogs, particularly the consequences of closed gene pools and artificial barriers within breeds. The creation of dog breeds often involves significant genetic bottlenecks, dramatically reducing genetic diversity. Practices like the overuse of popular sires further compound these issues by lowering effective population sizes, leaving breeds vulnerable to the accumulation of deleterious mutations and inbreeding depression.

Adding to this complexity, artificial isolation within breeds—such as the segregation between show and working lines—creates barriers to gene flow that exacerbate genetic differentiation among subpopulations. These fragmented gene pools produce smaller, isolated populations, which can intensify health problems and threaten the long-term sustainability of breeds. Such dynamics raise critical concerns about the long-term viability and health of dog breeds, highlighting the need for ongoing research and awareness.

Teaching Interests

I’m passionate about teaching topics such as Evolution, Population Genetics, Conservation Genetics, Transmission Genetics, and Ecology. I’m also deeply interested in how students learn and strive to incorporate best teaching practices to create engaging, effective, and meaningful learning experiences. My goal is to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of science in my students.

Selected Classes
  • Fall 2023 BIOL 499 – Undergrad. Lab/Field Rsch
  • BIOL 300L – Experimental Biology Lab
  • Spring 2023 BIOL 466 – Population & Conservation Gen
  • BIOL 666 – Populat.Conserv.Genetics
  • Spring 2022 BIOL 466 – Population & Conservation Gen
  • BIOL 123 – Human Genetics
  • Fall 2021 BIOL 142 – Foundations of Biol: Eco/Evo
  • BIOL 142 – Foundations of Biol: Eco/Evo
  • Summer 2021 BIOL 466 – Population & Conservation Gen
  • Spring 2020 BIOL 123 – Human Genetics
  • Fall 2019 BIOL 302 – Molecular & General Genetics
  • Fall 2018 BIOL 302 – Molecular & General Genetics
  • Spring 2018 BIOL 666 – Population and Conservation Genetics
  • BIOL 300L – BIOL300L Experimental Biology Laboratory
  • BIOL 466 – BIOL 466/666 Population and Conservation Genetics
  • Spring 2017 BIOL 300L – Experimental Biology Laboratory
  • Fall 2015 BIOL 142 – Foundations of Biology: Ecology and Evolution
  • Spring 2015 BIOL 142 – Foundations of Biology: Ecology and Evolution
  • BIOL 300L – Experimental Biology Laboratory

Intellectual Contributions

Smith, Tracy, Srikanth, Krishnamoorthy, Huson, Heather Jay. (2024). . 9. 16 Genome Biology and Evolution.

Smith, Tracy A., Martin, Michael, Nguyen, Michael, Mendelson, Tamra. (2016). . 25. 1883–1894 Molecular Ecology.

Smith, Tracy A., Ciccotto, Patrick J., Mendelson, Tamra C., Page, Larry M. (2014). . 2. 2014 257-268 Copeia.

Smith, Tracy A., Mendelson, Tamra C., Page, Larry M. (2011). . 6. 107 579–588 Heredity.