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

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

Mount Holyoke College has joined the Liman Summer Undergraduate Fellowship program. Students in this program serve as summer fellows, working with nonprofits and state and local government agencies throughout the United States.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts awarded the Pioneer Valley Literacy Consortium $199,284 for professional development. This is Mount Holyoke College’s second year in the consortium.

Recent Publications

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

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