Megan Marshall Smith

Using sophisticated computer modeling techniques, Megan Marshall Smith studies plasma dynamics in accretion disks around supermassive black holes. At Hamilton, she intends to continue this work, focusing on understanding how the effects of certain plasma instabilities close to the black hole affect observations of such systems.

Smith is passionate about improving equity and inclusion in STEM and will pursue this aim by fostering a supportive classroom and promoting community through mentoring.

She comes to Hamilton from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned her master’s degree and doctorate in physics.

Recent Courses Taught

Introduction to Astronomy
Survey of Physics I
Survey of Physics I Lab

Select Publications

• “Angular momentum transport in thin magnetically arrested disks,” M.D. Marshall, M. Avara and J. McKinney, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 478, 2 (2018).
• “An undergraduate measurement of  radiative broadening in atomic vapor,” A. J. Hachtel, J. D. Kleykamp, D. G. Kane, M. D. Marshall, B. W. Worth, J. T. Barkeloo, J.C. B. Kangara, J. C. Camenisch, M. C. Gillette, and S. Bali, American Journal of Physics 80, 740 (2012).
• “On the rotational behavior of Nereid,” S.G. Alexander, Andrew J. Hasselbeck, Tiandan Wu, M.D. Marshall, and NP. Abel, The Astrophysical Journal 142, 2 (2011).
• “Measurement of sub-natural linewidth AC Stark shifts in cold atoms for the advanced undergraduate laboratory,” J. D. Kleykamp, A. J. Hachtel, D. G. Kane, M. D. Marshall, N. J. Souther, P. K. Harnish, and S. Bali, American Journal of Physics 79, 1211 (2011).

Professional Affiliations

American Association of Physics Teachers
American Physical Society
Sigma Pi Sigma

Appointed to the Faculty

Educational Background

Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park
M.S., University of Maryland, College Park
B.A., Miami University
B.S., Miami University