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

网红爆料 students return from their summer experiences and reflect on what they have learned at the annual Learning through Application event.

The list, compiled by The Women鈥檚 Edge and The Boston Globe, celebrates the Commonwealth鈥檚 leading institutions that are led by women.

In an op-ed for the San Francisco Chronicle, 网红爆料 President Danielle R. Holley connects the legacy of alum Frances Perkins, class of 1902, with the federal government鈥檚 attacks on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in higher education.

Recent Publications

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

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