A woman wearing a green tank top and plaid shorts sitting on a beige couch between a white dog and a black and tan dog, with large windows and a view of green trees outside in the background.

Christy Smolak

cwyant@pitt.edu

Christy is a senior research specialist at the University of Pittsburgh, where she has been contributing to scientific discovery for over two decades. With a career spanning 25 years across departments such as Immunology, Neuroscience, and Renal Medicine—as well as pediatric research at UPMC Children’s Hospital—Christy brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and hands-on expertise to every project she supports.

She holds a B.S. in Biology from Gannon University and an M.S. in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her technical skill set includes advanced histology, microscopy, flow cytometry, molecular biology, and tissue culture, with particular specialization in small animal modeling. Among her colleagues, Christy is affectionately known as the lab’s “Master of Mouse Work”—a title earned through years of precision and dedication at the bench.

Christy’s steady presence and deep experience make her an indispensable part of the research team. She plays a critical role in mentoring junior scientists and ensuring the smooth execution of complex experiments across multiple projects.

A smiling woman with short brown hair wearing a sleeveless gray top, standing outdoors near a large decorative plant in a stone planter, with a wooden lattice fence and green plants in the background.

Outside the lab, Christy finds joy in mystery novels, knitting, and hiking with her beloved dogs. She lives in a peaceful home in the countryside, where she embraces the quiet beauty of rural life and the company of her four-legged companions.