Smith College Medalist Theanne Griffith ’08: ‘I Wish Every Scientist Had a Liberal Arts Background!’

Theanne Griffith ’08 is an assistant professor in the department of physiology and membrane biology at the University of California, Davis. Last year, she was named a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Freeman Hraboski Scholar. The Griffith Lab investigates the sense of proprioception, or the internal awareness of the body’s position in space, using a combination of molecular biology, physiology, and neuroscience techniques. The impact of her research has been far-reaching. Griffith has been nationally recognized with a Sloan Research Fellowship and a McKnight Scholar Award. In addition to her research, Griffith is the author of an award-winning STEM-themed series for children titled The Magnificent Makers, and the co-author of the nonfiction series Ada Twist, Scientist: The Why Files, which accompanies the Netflix series of the same name. Here, Griffith, who will add a Smith Medal to her collection of accolades during Rally Day on Feb. 26, talks about the lasting impact of Smith on her life and why she believes women’s colleges are more important than ever.

What is your proudest accomplishment? 
“Professionally, my proudest accomplishment is becoming an HHMI Freeman Hraboski Scholar. It’s a highly competitive award to support outstanding researchers, including physician-scientists, with strong potential to become leaders in their fields. Being recognized as an emerging leader in my field by such a prestigious institution as HHMI (whose president is Erin O’Shea ’88!) has made me very proud. Personally, my greatest accomplishments are my daughters. They are 100 percent my why.” 

Talk about balancing your work as a children’s author and an academic. 
“It’s been about two years since I have written a new children’s book, so the balance has tilted toward my work as an academic recently. That said, I miss writing terribly, and my goal for this year is to begin a new project, most likely a STEM-themed chapter book series. When I first started writing, I was a postdoc who was only responsible for myself and my project. It takes a lot more time and effort to launch a new project, and as my lab has grown, and I am responsible for more people and projects, carving out time has become more difficult. But I am excited to get back into the writer’s seat this year!” 

Any advice for seniors entering STEM fields? 
“You belong! There are so many ways to contribute to the STEM community. It may involve trial and error in finding your niche, but try your best to enjoy the ride. Find strong and supportive mentors, don’t be afraid to fail, and, most importantly, have fun!” 

What does being honored with the Smith Medal mean to you? 
“Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Smith. To be recognized by Smith as an alum who exemplifies a liberal arts education that I was so lucky to receive, is absolutely a highlight of my career—and something I am incredibly proud of.” 

How has your Smith education continued to impact your life today? 
“It completely changed my life in so many ways. I had four years of high-quality research experience, which is much harder to do at larger institutions, where undergrads are competing with grad students for research time. I had the freedom to not just study neuroscience, but also Spanish. I was able to study abroad in Chile, which ended up leading to a Praxis-funded internship in a lab there, followed by a two-year research position in the same lab. I met scientists in Chile with whom I am still connected to personally and professionally, and I learned early in my career the true global nature of research.” 

Why is it critical to support Smith philanthropically? 
“I have donated to Smith every year since graduating, because I want to ensure future generations of Smithies have the same incredible opportunities that I had.” 

Talk about the relevance of women’s colleges and the liberal arts. 
“I am a huge proponent of women’s colleges. They provide an essential environment for women and gender-diverse people to thrive. In the sciences, there is strong evidence that women who attended women’s colleges are more represented in science careers. And I think, more than ever, a liberal arts education is necessary. As a scientist, my formal education in the humanities and social sciences has been extremely useful. I feel it makes me understand the world better. I wish every scientist had a liberal arts background.” 

What do you want to tell the class of 2026? 
“You are entering the next phase of your life during a difficult and dark time in American history. For better or worse, this is not our first dark period, and knowing human nature, it will not be our last. Lean into the education and resources that you have received during your time at Smith. It may not feel like it, but you have more tools at your disposal than most. And, as Smithies, you are exceptionally equipped to use them for good.”