Dr. Monika Schleier Smith

Associate Professor

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Biography

Monika Schleier-Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at Stanford University. She received her Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2011 and completed her undergraduate studies at Harvard University, earning degrees in Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. After her doctoral studies, she pursued postdoctoral research at LMU Munich and the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics. Her research focuses on advancing optical control over interactions in laser-cooled atoms, with applications in quantum simulation, metrology, and computation. Professor Schleier-Smith has pioneered notable techniques for simulating phenomena within condensed-matter physics and quantum gravity. She has developed protocols for quantum control and entanglement-enhanced sensing, contributing to the understanding of many-particle quantum systems. Her academic appointment also includes significant roles in committee memberships and editorial positions within prominent scientific organizations. She has received various honors, including the Fellow designation from the American Physical Society and several prestigious awards for her research and contributions to the field of optics and quantum physics.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

2019-01-01 — Present

Stanford University • Stanford, CA

Teaching, research in quantum optics, and mentoring graduate students.

Awards

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Fellow

2021-01-01
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Rabi Prize

2021-01-01
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MacArthur Fellowship

2020-01-01
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Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

2019-01-01
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NSF CAREER Award

2018-01-01
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Cottrell Scholar Award

2017-01-01
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Hellman Fellowship

2015-01-01
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AFOSR Young Investigator Award

2014-01-01
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Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship

2014-01-01

Courses

PHYSICS 14N APPPHYS 290 PHYSICS 190 PHYSICS 490 PHYSICS 205 PHYSICS 23

Requirements for Stanford University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:26
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:160
Quantitative
Required:165
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Overall
Required:4.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree from an accredited institution Strong background in mathematics and programming
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

The Computer Science department emphasizes research potential. GRE General is currently optional but recommended for some tracks.