Joseph A. Smith Jr is the current editor-in-chief of the Journal of Urology and William L. Bray Professor in the Department of Urologic Surgery at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

He has served as the President of American Board of Urology (2004–05) Southeastern Section, American Urologic Association and the Utah Urologic Society (1981–83).

Smith completed his MD training at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee, in 1974.

Later, he underwent his surgical residency at the Parkland Memorial Hospital, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School.

In 1979, he completed his urology residency at University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.