A/Prof Martin Smith is a computational biologist whose research spans transcriptomics, RNA biology, AI, single-cell and nanopore sequencing for both research and clinical translation. He leads the Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, shaping high-quality, accessible genomics services that deliver societal impact. His lab focuses on the functional characterisation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), with special interest in structure–function relationships, regulatory genome architecture across mammals, and the interplay of RNA regulation in immunology and leukemia. His team develops and applies single-cell and nanopore sequencing technologies to push the boundaries of RNA biology in health and disease.

Martin completed his PhD in genomics and computational biology at the University of Queensland, followed by postdoctoral training at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. He has held academic and leadership roles in both Australia and Canada, including at the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre and the Université de Montréal, before returning to Sydney to lead the Ramaciotti Centre. He has founded sequencing ventures, authored multiple patents, and is recognised for his contributions to long-read sequencing and RNA structure research