Dr. James F. Smith joined the faculty of Boise State University in 1992, and is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and Director of the Snake River Plains Herbarium. The Herbarium collection focuses primarily on plants of southwest Idaho, with plants continually added from throughout Idaho and the surrounding states. The collection grows through the collection work of faculty and students as well as an active exchange program.
Dr. Smith's research interests include the Evolution of Floral Symmetry in Gesneriaceae, Phylogenetics of Tribe Episcieae (Gesneriaceae), Phylogenetics within Columnea (Gesneriaceae), and Phylogenetics of Piperaceae.