
Position
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, McGill University
Member, RECRU
Research Interests
Dr. Smith’s research focuses on investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms of obstructive lung diseases in order to improve clinically meaningful outcomes. Obstructive lung disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma) represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, and in Canada. His research integrates methods of population-based epidemiology, state-of-the-art-imaging, and physiology in order to understand disease pathogenesis and expose targetable mechanisms of functional impairment.
His specific areas of interest include:
- airway structure and developmental susceptibility to obstructive lung disease;
- the personalization of obstructive lung disease prevention and treatment based on airway anatomy;
- the cardiotoxic effects of breathing mechanics in obstructive lung disease.
- Clinical and academic interests include improving the quality of lung cancer diagnosis and staging, and medical education.
Ben Smith and Smith Lab in the News

RESP Research Day Oral and Poster Presentation Winners
The 31th Annual Respiratory Research Day featured 51 oral and poster presentations. Congrats to all our poster and oral presentation winners!

Associations between air pollution and lung health
New study by Drs. Jean Bourbeau and Benjamin Smith shows associations between air pollution and lung health in Canada

Health Matters: Best of Health Matters: Excellence in research and innovation
Irah King and Ben Smith talk about the microbiome and resilient lungs, respectively on the MUHC Health Matters Podcast

McGill Medstar Award for Trainees
Congratulations to Dr. Motahareh Vameghestahbanati, PhD with Dr. Benjamin Smith, for her McGill MedStar Award for Trainees!

Spring 2021 Student Awards
Congratulations to the recipients of FRQS and CIHR studentship and fellowship awards! We wish you much success!

Three CIHR Grants Awarded!
Congrats to Maziar Divangahi and Faiz Ahmad Khan on their Fall 2020 Project Grants and Benjamin M Smith on his COPD Catalyst Grant

COPD Catalyst Grant Awarded to Ben Smith
Dr. Ben Smith awarded catalyst grant to study a new paradigm for personalizing COPD prevention, prognosis, and pharmacotherapy

A shorter COVID-19 quarantine period
Preliminary results of Dr. Smith’s COVID-19 quarantine period study is great news for many.

COVID-19 Testing Shortens Isolation Time
Dr. Benjamin Smith is examining the ideal COVID-19 testing strategy to shorten isolation time for health care workers

Ciclesonide Clinical Trial for COVID-19
Drs. Nicole Ezer, James Martin, Ben Smith, Andrea Benedetti and colleagues initiate ciclesonide clinical trial for COVID-19

Royal Vic ICU: the faces behind the PPE
Thanks to Adomo Donovan and the ICU Bridge Program, the MUHC’s ICU staff are now recognizable despite their PPE.

‘Contain COVID-19’ – in its earliest phases
A new clinical trial, designed by Drs. Ezer, Martin, Benedetti & Smith, will test ciclesonide in the early stages of COVID-19.
Contact Information
Meakins-Christie Laboratories & RECRU
RI-MUHC
Office 3D.66
5252 Maisonneuve
Montreal QC H4A 3S9
Canada
Tel: 514-934-1934 Ext. 53333 (office)
Fax: 514-XXX-XXXX
E-Mail: benjamin.m.smith [at] mcgill.ca
Education & Training
PDF, Columbia U, 2014
MSc Epidemiology, McGill, 2011
MD, McGill University, 2005
Teaching
Undergraduate:
Medicine, RESP Block: “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease”
Medicine, RESP Block: “Respiratory Physiology Small Groups”
Medicine, “Physicianship apprenticeship – Osler Fellow”
Graduate:
Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health (EPIB-619), Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
Experimental Medicine (EXMD-507), Advanced Applied Respiratory Physiology: Lung imaging and physiology
Experimental Medicine (EXMD-633), Clinical Aspects of Research in Respiratory Disease: COPD
Experimental Medicine (EXMD-609), Cellular Methods in Biomedical Research: Lung Imaging