David Alan Smith was awarded a PhD in physics from Utah State University on April 24, 2020. His dissertation title is, "Model-based Properties of Earth's Protective Shield: Relating UT-based Dependencies of the Open/Closed Boundary, Cutoff Latitude, and L-shell Parameter with Polar Cap Absorption Events.”  

After a successful career as an insurance broker, Dave decided to return to school to "learn some math." What started out as a part-time endeavor turned into a BS degree in physics with an emphasis in astronomy from Humboldt State University (Arcata, CA) in 2014. While at HSU, Dave was involved with the gravity research group under the direction of Dr. C.D. Hoyle. Dave also worked closely with Dr. Ken Owens in the HSU mathematics department. Dr. Owens developed a PIC code to study plasma instabilities.

Dave is thrilled to be a part of the USU physics department. Dave's primary research is Heliophysics, the study of the Sun-Earth system. Dave is especially interested in a phenomena known as Polar Cap Absorption. He first encountered PCA events as an amateur radio operator (W6EY) several years ago. In a nutshell, PCA events are described as a significant attenuation of radio signals as they transit polar regions. Radio signals that under normal conditions would propagate via the polar regions are unable to do so. This limits available communication routes across high latitudes. At this point in his research career Dave is working closely with Dr. Jan J. Sojka as they investigate the geomagnetic field and how energetic particles generated by the Sun reach the upper atmosphere (ionosphere).

Dave has been a teaching assistant (TA) for Dr. Sojka, Dr. Boyd Edwards, and Dr. Robert Davies. Currently Dave is the instructor of record for several classes within the physics department at USU including Physics 2210/2220, 1040, and 1010.

Dave is married to the former Shannon Kennedy. Between them they have 7 children and 4 grandchildren. Dave loves BBQ.