About

Geoffrey Smith is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Institute for the Study of Antiquity and Christian Origins (ISAC) at the University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts. His academic expertise encompasses New Testament studies, Early Christianity, Patristics, Nag Hammadi texts, Papyrology, and Coptic Language and Literature. Dr. Smith's work focuses on understanding the historical and religious contexts of early Christian texts and traditions, contributing to the broader field of antiquity and Christian origins through his research and leadership. As a scholar, he is engaged in exploring the linguistic, textual, and historical aspects of early Christian writings, with particular attention to Coptic language and literature, which are crucial for interpreting ancient Christian manuscripts. His role as director of ISAC underscores his commitment to advancing research and scholarship in these areas, fostering a deeper understanding of Christian antiquity and its influence on religious and cultural history.

Research topics

• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Stereochemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Combinatorial chemistry
• Materials science
• Biology
• Immunology
• Computational biology
• Nanotechnology

Selected publications

• Exploring ferrocenyl-quinoline hybrids as in vitro agents against Leishmania major promastigotes

  Journal of Organometallic Chemistry · 2025-11-06

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  • Ferrocenyl-quinolines have been prepared. • The amino-alkyl linked ferrocenyl-quinolines showed good in vitro activity against Leishmania major . • The lead compound showed better activity than the clinical drug, amphotericin B, but slightly more cytotoxic. Currently available drugs for cutaneous leishmaniasis are sub-optimal due to parasite-specific drug resistance, drug-induced host toxicity and lengthy treatment. Repurposing existing drugs/compounds with established biological activity provides an attractive measure for antileishmanial drug development. Quinoline is a ubiquitous scaffold for targeting parasitic infections, particularly malaria, showing enhanced activity when combined with metal complexes, such as the iron-containing compound ferrocene. Concomitantly, this study evaluates the potential of ferrocenyl-quinoline compounds as potential drug candidates for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major , focusing on in vitro antipromastigote activity and cytotoxicity, using murine and cell-based models of the disease. Four ferrocenyl-quinoline compounds containing various linkers (imino-alkyl, amino-alkyl, triazole-amine and phenyl-alkene) were synthesized, with the triazole-amine and phenyl-alkene compounds being new. The four compounds and their respective precursors were assessed for their antileishmanial activity against only the promastigote form of L. major LV39, as well as their cytotoxicity in the RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line. The amino-alkyl and triazole amine-linked compounds were the most active against L. major LV39 promastigotes (IC 50 = 1.16 and 8.83 μM, respectively), with the former being more active than the clinical drug, amphotericin B (IC 50 = 2.10 μM). All four ferrocenyl-quinoline compounds were more cytotoxic than amphotericin B (CC 50 < 54 μM). However, both the amino-alkyl and triazole amine-linked compounds showed higher CC 50 values than their respective IC 50 values, suggesting a higher selectivity toward L. major promastigotes than their other counterparts (SI > 1). The triazole amine-linked compound, in particular, had an SI of 2.11, making it a more promising antileishmanial agent worthy of further investigation. This preliminary study not only delineates structure-based trends on antipromastigote activity but also demonstrates the significance of incorporating metals in drug design to enhance potency. Additional future studies are necessary to examine the potency of these compounds against L. major amastigotes, as well as their efficacy in vivo and mechanism of action.

  PublisherDOI

• Standardization of preclinical methodologies for discovery and validation of circulating microRNA biomarkers for post-traumatic epileptogenesis – Lessons learned from the EpiBioS4Rx Project 1

  Epilepsy Research · 2025-09-22 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: To analyze the success of harmonization and standardization of plasma miRNA biomarker discovery and validation for post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) in the EpiBioS4Rx international multicenter project. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to lateral fluid-percussion-induced traumatic brain injury (TBI) or sham operation at three study sites (Finland, Australia, USA). Video-electroencephalogram (vEEG) was performed in the 7th post-injury month to detect spontaneous seizures. Tail vein plasma was collected at baseline and 48 h after TBI for microRNA (miRNA) analysis. Common data elements were generated to document and monitor pre-analytic activities, including housing conditions, post-injury care, blood sampling, plasma preparation, plasma quality, storage, and shipping. miRNA analysis was performed using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) at one study site (Finland) with on-site standardized procedures. RESULTS: The 2-day miRNA levels were successfully measured in 85 % (209/245) of the rats included in the final analysis cohort. Exclusions were related to small sample volume, hemolysis, and failed RNA extraction for ddPCR. Most of the pre-analytical factors leading to sample exclusions were related to non-optimal plasma pipetting. We also recognized gaps in data entry and monitoring of personnel training. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that conducting a successful plasma miRNA biomarker analysis requires procedural harmonization between laboratories, protocol standardization, inclusion and analysis of quality controls, training of researchers, and continuous monitoring of adherence to pre-agreed protocols.

  PublisherDOI

• Photosensitizer formulations based on porphyrins and zinc oxide nanoparticles for water treatment

  Journal of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines · 2025-10-08

  articleSenior author

  Two photosensitizer formulations, Form 1 and Form 2, were successfully synthesized and immobilized on polysulfone nanofibers for water treatment. Conjugation of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with Form 1 led to an increase in photodynamic antimicrobial activity with IC[Formula: see text] values from 75.25 [Formula: see text]g/mL to 67.13 [Formula: see text]g/mL against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and 42.61 [Formula: see text]g/mL to 26.19 [Formula: see text]g/mL against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). These synergistic effects were attributed to the inherent antimicrobial activity of ZnO NPs, as well as the enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting from fluorescence energy transfer (FRET). Polysulfone nanofibers modified with Form 1 and Form 2 were found to be phototoxic against the test microorganisms. Having such antimicrobial properties implies that the developed nanofibers will be efficiently used for water treatment without the challenge of biofouling.

  PublisherDOI

• Crystal Structures, Computational Analysis, and Preliminary Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Half Sandwich Η6-Arene Ruthenium(Ii) Complexes with Bis(Pyrazol-1-Yl)Methane Ligands

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2025-01-01

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• A Psychometric Study of the Religious Distress Task in a University and Community-Based Sample

  2025-11-19

  article

  The triggers that induce scrupulosity-related distress can vary, depending on an individual’s religious/moral worldview. Accounting for cultural context surrounding one’s obsessions could improve the sensitivity of tests for scrupulosity. With cultural context in mind, we designed the Religious Distress Task (RDT) to elicit negative emotions in members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) with scrupulosity. This study evaluated the factor structure, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency of the RDT in three samples of LDS individuals (N1 = 392, N2 = 607, and N3 = 40 scrupulous and 34 control). Across samples, between 59% and 68% of participants identified as female, while 90% to 100% identified as white, and 88% to 93% identified as non-Hispanic or Latino. An EFA was performed in sample 1 and a CFA in sample 2. The EFA revealed a two-factor structure (factor 1: l = .59 - .77; factor 2: l = .54 - .91). The CFA supported these findings (factor 1: l = .53 - .86; factor 2: l = .74 - .88). All samples demonstrated adequate test-retest reliability and internal consistency (r = .77 - .90; a = .86 - .96). Accounting for cultural and religious background when designing measures of scrupulosity may improve their psychometric properties.

  PublisherDOI

• Dirhodium( <scp>ii</scp> , <scp>ii</scp> ) catalyst optimisation for chemoselective hydroaminomethylation: towards efficient amine synthesis

  Catalysis Science & Technology · 2025-01-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  The optimisation of a suitable mixed ligand dirhodium( ii , ii ) catalyst for chemoselective hydroaminomethylation of olefins was carried out using four previously synthesised heteroleptic dirhodium( ii , ii ) acetato-bipyridyl complexes (1–4).

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Viability of a trinuclear hetereoleptic Ir(III) photosensitiser for visible-light-promoted CO2 fixation to access α-amino acids: Serendipitous carbon‑carbon bond formation

  Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A Chemistry · 2025-10-17

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Two novel Ir(III) polypyridyl photosensitizers ( Ir1 and Ir2 ) incorporating an N^N -benzimidazole ancillary ligand were successfully synthesised and thoroughly characterised. Their photophysical, photostability and electrochemical properties were investigated, revealing strong visible-light absorption suitable for excitation with commercial blue LEDs. Both complexes demonstrated remarkable stability under prolonged 405 nm irradiation, underscoring their robust structural integrity. Complexes, Ir1 and Ir2 exhibited comparable photophysical properties to related Ir(III) benzimidazole complexes. Electrochemical studies showed reversible Ir(III/IV) couples linked to metal-centred or C^N ligand-centred oxidation events, supporting their suitability for photochemical applications. The photocatalytic performance of Ir1 and Ir2 was evaluated in the photoredox-catalysed carboxylation of ketimines with CO₂. Serendipitously, reactions with these complexes produced a novel C C bond-containing by-product, for which a mechanistic pathway is proposed. • Ir(III) polypyridyl photosensitizers incorporating an N^N-benzimidazole ancillary ligand were prepared. • Show strong visible-light absorption suitable for excitation with commercial blue LEDs. • Exhibit higher quantum emission yields and shorter triplet excited-state lifetimes. • Evaluated in the photoredox-catalysed carboxylation of ketimines with CO₂. • A novel C C bond-containing byproduct was produced.

  PublisherDOI

• Aminopropyl-Linked Quinoline-Triazole Hybrids with Enhanced Antiplasmodial Activity Targeting β-Hematin Formation

  Organometallics · 2025-10-13

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to current antimalarials necessitates new therapies. This preliminary study presents the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel 7-chloroquinoline-1,2,3-triazole hybrids incorporating aminopropyl linkers. Several compounds show submicromolar in vitro activity against both chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant strains. β-Hematin inhibition assays revealed strong activity, especially for a cationic iridium(III) complex (7), despite its limited cellular efficacy. The presence of an aminoalkyl linker, secondary amines, and metal coordination were found to be critical to enhanced antiplasmodial activity, supporting further development of these hybrids as promising antimalarial agents.

  PublisherDOI

• Self-Compassion, Maladaptive Perfectionism, and Scrupulosity Among Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the USA

  Journal of Religion and Health · 2025-11-22

  articleOpen access

  Scrupulosity, a pattern of religious and moral obsessions, impacts the religious experience and well-being of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Maladaptive perfectionism, a pattern of pathologically high personal standards and perceived personal failure, is associated with increased scrupulosity among LDS individuals. Self-compassion has been identified as a potential protective factor in the relation between maladaptive perfectionism and a range of psychopathology-relevant outcomes, including among religious populations. However, little is directly known about the role of self-compassion in the relation between maladaptive perfectionism and scrupulosity. The present study examines relationships among scrupulosity, perfectionism, and self-compassion among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). We examined indirect associations between maladaptive perfectionism and scrupulosity through self-compassion in a discovery sample (N = 378) and a replication sample (N = 542) of LDS university students in the USA. Consistent with hypotheses, self-compassion negatively correlated with both scrupulosity and maladaptive perfectionism in both samples. Findings showed a direct association between maladaptive perfectionism and scrupulosity and an indirect association via self-compassion in both samples. As hypothesized, self-compassion may temper the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and scrupulosity. These findings suggest that it may be beneficial to test self-compassion interventions in the treatment of scrupulosity in LDS individuals, including further research of tailored treatments for this population.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Crude Protein Requirements of Tropical Rock Lobster (Palinurus Ornatus): A Factorial Model

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2025-01-01

  preprintOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Tameryn Stringer

  University of East Anglia

  56 shared

• Kelly Chibale

  University of Cape Town

  45 shared

• Kunlun Hong

  Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  43 shared

• Carmen De Kock

  43 shared

• Yun Liu

  43 shared

• Wei‐Ren Chen

  Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  43 shared

• Lionel Porcar

  42 shared

• Rafael Verduzco

  Rice University

  41 shared