Spencer Smith

he/him

  • Associate Professor of Physics
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

Following President Joseph Biden’s announcement ending his reelection campaign, Mount Holyoke College Associate Professor Adam Hilton told MassLive that Vice President Kamala Harris is the most likely Democratic nominee.

Mount Holyoke College congratulates our recipients, alternates and finalists of the 2023-24 fellowship application cycles.

The fifth book in the “All Souls” series from No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and Mount Holyoke College alum Deborah Harkness ’86 makes its debut this week.

Recent Publications

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

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