Professor Jacky Smith graduated in Medicine from Manchester University in 1992 and continued her training around the North West Region in General and Respiratory Medicine.  She undertook research in her final year of specialist registrar training and was awarded her PhD in the 'Measurement of Cough' in 2004.  After completing specialist training she returned to research securing funding from a Stepping Stones Award from Manchester University and an MRC Clinical Scientists Fellowship Award.

In collaboration with Dr Kevin McGuinness (Clinical Engineer) Jacky developed a novel method for automated cough detection. Jacky is an inventor on a patent owned by the UHSM, covering novel concepts for automated detection of cough from sound signals. This patent is the subject of a license agreement with a medical device company (Vitalograph) with whom she collaborates.

Jacky continues to work on developing other endpoints in cough monitoring; her main research interests are in the translation of mechanisms of underlying cough reflex hypersensitivity and the testing of novel anti-tussive therapies.  Further about the cough clinic and clinical research can be found at www.combatmycough.com