Dr. Smith’s research examines the time course and extent of respiratory muscle remodeling in response to respiratory muscle overload training, using a combination of basic science and clinical approaches. Her current research projects include 1) examining the biology of acute muscle remodeling following a respiratory overload, 2) using translational strategies to test respiratory muscle strength and function, 3) identifying the patterns of motor weakness and training-induced plasticity in respiratory neuromuscular diseases, and 4) measuring the effect of respiratory muscle strengthening in infants and children with Pompe disease. Her longer-term goals are to understand the muscular substrates of respiratory motor training, in order to facilitate compensation or recovery for patients with neuromuscular disease and impaired breathing.