Spencer L. Smith

Spencer L. Smith is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He also serves as Chair of the Dynamical Neuroscience Graduate Program and is the CEO of Pacific Optica. His research integrates computation, neuroscience, and optics, focusing on developing advanced neurotechnologies.

Education:

• PhD in Neuroscience and Neuroengineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
• BS in Physics and Mathematics, University of Iowa

Research Interests: Smith's work centers on neuroengineering and optical computation, with key contributions to multiphoton imaging systems for neuronal activity mapping. He explores quantitative behavior through visual stimuli, neuronal population dynamics in cortical areas, and machine learning applications for brain-like computing. His lab also pioneers technologies like the Cousa objective for in vivo imaging and free-space optics for enhanced computational performance.

Scientific Awards:

• Klingenstein Fellowship Award in the Neurosciences (2013–2016)
• Human Frontier Science Program Career Development Award (2012–2015)
• Philip and Ruth Hettleman Prize (2017)
• Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (2019)
• McKnight Technological Innovations in Neuroscience Award (2015–2017)

Advising and Funding: Smith mentors graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in projects spanning correlation structure analysis, optical engineering, and machine learning. His lab (SLAB) receives support from the NSF, NIH (NINDS, NEI), HFSP, the Klingenstein Foundation, the Whitehall Foundation, the Simons Foundation, and the McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience. His recent publications highlight advancements in large field-of-view multiphoton imaging and network inference in cortical circuits.

Labs and Community: Smith leads the SLAB research group, which maintains resources like the Nemonic wiki for multiphoton imaging and a Mattermost community for technical discussions. His lab focuses on bridging engineering and neuroscience through innovative instrumentation.