Dr. Susan Smith is a senior scientist and Professor Emeritus of Physiology and Pharmacology in the OHSU School of Medicine. Her career has focused on the relationship between reproductive function and brain regulation of food intake; this research has been continually funded by the NIH. Additionally, she served as the Director of the Oregon National Primate Research Center from 1994 to 2007, aiding in the integration of the primate center into OHSU’s infrastructure. In 1997, she served as the founding Director of the OHSU Center for Women’s Health and helped to develop and implement its original vision of a “one-stop shop for women.” In this interview, Dr. Smith reflects on her research as well as the work that the Center for Women’s Health and the Oregon National Primate Research Center have accomplished over the years. She also discusses the culture surrounding research and what drew her to a career in the lab, describing the appeal of the ever-changing field of scientific research.