Dr. Douglas Smith

Professor

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Biography

Douglas Smith is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of California, San Diego. He received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1999, focusing on the study of mechanical manipulation of single DNA molecules. His research interests include viral DNA packaging, particularly of bacteriophages such as phi29, lambda, and T4. He investigates the functions of ATP-dependent molecular motors and the dynamics of single polymers in terms of polymer physics, DNA properties, and rheology. Smith’s work extends to the assembly and structure of chromatin, enzyme-mediated DNA looping, and the functionality of restriction endonucleases. He has published extensively on the velocity control of DNA translocation, knotting in biophysics, and the dynamics of DNA packaging motors, contributing significantly to the understanding of high forces and motor processivity in DNA packaging systems.

Research Interests

Mechanical Manipulation Viral DNA Packaging ATP-Dependent Molecular Motors Single Polymer Dynamics Chromatin Assembly DNA Looping Restriction Endonuclease Function

Requirements for University of California, San Diego

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:85
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:120
Overall
Required:120
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in physical, biological, or earth sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Differential and integral calculus. One year of calculus-based physics with laboratory. One year of chemistry with laboratory.
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose (max 2 pages)
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Application fee ($135 domestic / $155 international)
Specialization Notes

Administered by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Curricular groups include Climate-Ocean-Atmosphere (COAP), Geosciences (GEO), and Ocean Biosciences (OBP).