Professor Akary Smith was an academic who worked aboard a communications satellite above the planet of Roon. He was friends with Gar Tosh since his childhood. His friendship also extended to Gar Tosh's son, Jann Tosh, of whom Jann developed a bond with.
At one point, XR, the professor's personal droid, was reprogrammed and armed by General Koong so that the general could take Smith, Jann, R2-D2 and C-3PO as prisoners.