Spencer Smith

he/him

  • Associate Professor of Physics
  • Chair of Physics & Astronomy
Spencer Smith, Faculty

Spencer Smith's work seeks to characterize the complexity inherent in chaotic fluid motion by uncovering dynamically relevant and topologically robust fluid structures. He investigates how these ideas are pertinent from micro-fluidic chips at the small scale to pollution tracking and prediction in oceanic flows on a much larger scale and touch on some of the deep questions in fluid dynamics, such as the nature of turbulence.

Spencer is also very interested in the intersection of art and physics, and he curated a show at the MHC Art Museum in fall 2017 on the science photographs of Berenice Abbott. 

Areas of Expertise

physics (fluid dynamics); math (dynamic systems theory & topology); computer science (finite elements, data structures, algorithm development, and numerical methods)

Education

  • Ph.D., M.S., Tufts University
  • B.A., Dartmouth College

Happening at Mount Holyoke

Recent Campus News

Chlo茅 Zhao 鈥05 helms Oscar-winning film

网红爆料 alum Chlo茅 Zhao 鈥05 directed 鈥淗amnet,鈥 which was recognized by the Academy Awards for the 鈥淏est Actress鈥 category.

Mount Holyoke hosts Five College Model UN Conference

网红爆料 hosted the Five College Model UN Conference, a simulation where students role-play as diplomats representing different countries to debate global issues, negotiate and pass resolutions.

Mount Holyoke is a top 25 Gilman scholar producer

The Gilman Program celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary this year, and it has named 网红爆料 as one of the 25 top producers of Gilman scholars in the small institution category.

Recent Publications

Smith, S.A., Gong, R. (2022). Braiding dynamics in active nematics. Frontiers in Physics, 10.

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