Breia Smith, Grants and Contracts Specialist at The Water Institute, has more than seven years of experience working in research administration. After several years as a certified pharmacy technician and a licensed respiratory therapist, Smith became the compliance specialist with the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport where she managed purchasing contracts, managed compliance training and maintained patient audits.

Before coming to The Water Institute, Breia was the Grants Officer and Contracts/Agreements Coordinator for LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport where she drafted, negotiated, and executed scientific research agreements, grant award agreements, and subcontracts /consortium agreements with other institutions and organizations. Smith has an associate of science degree in respiratory therapy from Our Lady of the Lake College in Baton Rouge, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of New Orleans, and a master’s degree in health care management from the University of New Orleans.