Spencer Smith

  • Assistant 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

In honor of Interim President Tatum’s distinguished service to Mount Holyoke College, the Board of Trustees dedicated the Unity Center in Blanchard Hall to Dr. Tatum during a special celebration on May 5, 2023.

Mount Holyoke President-elect Danielle Holley spoke to Reuters about how colleges and universities are preparing for the end of affirmative action.

Nearly 150 students participated in the Stoling Ceremony, an important Commencement weekend tradition celebrating the achievements of students of color and their Mount Holyoke mentors.

Recent Publications

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

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