Dr. Smith joined the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) as its inaugural Chief Due Diligence and Patent Officer in September 2021 and has served as CPRIT’s Chief Product Development Officer since May 2022. He brings more than 30 years of experience in the life science industry across a broad range of business and legal sectors, including cofounding biotech companies and working as patent counsel for major pharmaceutical companies. Prior to joining CPRIT, Dr. Smith advised life science companies at all stages of development. He received his J.D. and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Houston. He also holds an MBA and a master’s degree in Biochemistry. Through CPRIT, Texas leads the country in its unprecedented commitment to catalyze discovery and progress in preventing cancer and researching and developing innovative technologies to detect, treat, and cure cancer. Created by the Texas Legislature and approved by two statewide votes in 2007 and 2019, CPRIT directs the state’s $6 billion cancer initiative. To date, the agency has awarded more than $3.9 billion in 2,000+ grants to Texas research institutions and organizations through its academic research, prevention, and product development research programs, resulting in a significant increase in intellectual property and knowledge related to cancer treatments, cures, and prevention best practices.