“He was a true scientist and every new finding simply led to another question and another finding. He always worked with such modesty and perseverance that only the hallowed whispers of others when they spoke of him revealed his greatness. He demonstrated his commitment to his work by simply living it, always with remarkable humility.”
Smith’s efforts and dedication are credited in part to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s recent accreditation of URMC as an Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center. During the ceremony, John Foxe, Ph.D., Director of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, said, “He was the rudder, the guide in our effort. It happened because of Tris and because of many people here. And that’s a piece of his legacy.”
Outside the University of Rochester Center for Advanced Brain Imaging and Neurophysiology at the Annex on Elmwood Avenue is a whimsical bench commissioned by Rochester artist Paul Knoblauch. Most of the research conducted in the facility focuses on improving our knowledge of intellectual and developmental problems, such as autism. Smith’s wife Jenny Katz, Ph.D said, “He would be very proud of this bench, it’s charming and delightful. It is also colorful and creative. He was young at heart. Truly, the bench is perfect.”
Smith’s initials decorate the bench, which will serve as a constant reminder of his accomplishments, the long-term influence of his research, mentorship, and desire to inspire future generations of researchers. Susan Hyman, M.D, Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics said, “This bench, at the entrance to where students of many disciplines enter URMC, is a very fitting spot to memorialize Tris’s passion for mentoring trainees. Tris modeled kindness and gentleness in an academic setting through active listening and synthesizing discussion into something far more cogent than the sum of its parts. This was all done with humor and humility.”
