2016 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award: Aimee Smart

This year’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award winner, Aimee Smart, has truly distinguished herself during the first part of her career.

Smart graduated from NC State in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology. Her leadership abilities were evident even then, as she was involved in number of on-campus groups and served as president of the university’s Union Activities Board that plans events for students. Following graduation, she began working in the regulatory affairs units of biotechnology companies, ascending to positions of increasing responsibility for prominent firms such as Cato Research and Nabi Biopharmaceuticals.

Today, Smart is associate vice president for clinical development and regulatory processes for Lung Biotechnology, which works to simplify and democratize the treatment of lung disease. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the large biotechnology company United Therapeutics.

In her position, she is a member of the company’s executive management team. She oversees a staff of 28 clinical, regulatory and quality professionals with nine direct reports and is responsible for the development and implementation of the company’s clinical and regulatory strategy for all clinical development and commercial projects.