Meet Assistant Professor of Instruction Jenna Smith of the Department of Physics and Astronomy

Weinberg College welcomes Assistant Professor of Instruction Jenna Smith to the Department of Physics and Astronomy!

Smith recently gave some insight into her background in physics and why she chose to teach at Northwestern. In addition to teaching, Smith will also serve as the Director of the Introductory Physics Labs where she will get the opportunity to develop curriculum.

Where are you from? Where did you study?
I grew up just down I-65 in Indianapolis, IN. I got my bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN and my master’s and PhD from Michigan State University. I also spent a semester studying at Nebrija University in Madrid.

What inspired you to pursue your area of study?
I chose to study physics because it seemed like it would be easier to pursue my music and theatre interests as extracurriculars than it would be to study those and pursue physics in my free time. During undergrad, I spent one spring break at the Wright Nuclear Structure Laboratory at Yale, “helping” run a nuclear physics experiment. During that week, I saw a new peak in the data that no one had ever seen before. I thought that being the first in the world to know something about nature (no matter how small) was the coolest thing ever. When I was accepted to study nuclear physics at Michigan State (#1 program in the nation), that pretty much set my path for a PhD in nuclear physics.

How do you enjoy spending your free time?
I spend my free time reading (both fiction and non-fiction, but usually not physics), singing, cooking, baking, and walking around outside.

What is most fulfilling to you about teaching?
The most fulfilling parts of teaching are student interactions. I love getting to talk with my students individually, both about physics and about other things. When I work with individual students during office hours, I can tailor the discussion specifically to their expertise and challenges.

Why did you decide to come to Northwestern?
I came to Northwestern because this position combines my expertise and interests in a way that no other position has. I’m an Assistant Professor of Instruction, so I’m teaching, but I’m also the Director of Introductory Physics labs and in that role, I engage in significant curriculum development. I love the process and challenge of curriculum development, but it’s not a task I’ve previously had the freedom to really delve into.

What’s a fun fact that you want to share with the Northwestern community?
I’ve cycled from Lansing, MI to Mackinaw City, MI in five day’s time… three times.