Brian A. Smith

Brian A. Smith

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Brian A. Smith is Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Columbia University, where he directs the Computer-Enabled Abilities Laboratory (CEAL) and is an affiliate member of the Data Science Institute’s Data, Media, and Society Center and Smart Cities Center.

Smith’s research goal is to reimagine how computers should be designed so that they give people new abilities and serve purposes that matter. Computers now have incredible abilities, but those abilities often do not translate to the people and causes that need them. Smith’s approach to research is to view technology design through a holistic lens, incorporating fundamental insights from engineering, social sciences, design, and games.

His lab’s recent work includes developing assistive technologies that make video games and images accessible to blind users, developing social computing systems that help people stay connected over a long distance, and designing smart city infrastructure that leverages advances in AI and augmented reality. Smith enjoys collaborating with companies, nonprofit and community organizations, and government agencies to solve problems and maximize impact. He also enjoys helping students discover what it means to make an impact on the world in a way they can be proud of.

Smith received a BS in computer science in 2009, an MS in computer science in 2011, and a PhD in computer science in 2018, all from Columbia University. Prior to his faculty position, Smith was a research scientist at Snap Inc., developing the interaction design for Snap Spectacles as a member of its R&D team. He has been named a National Academy of Sciences Kavli Fellow (2019) and is a recipient of the NSF CAREER Award (2024), Columbia Engineering's Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award (2021), and Columbia Engineering’s Janette and Armen Avanessians Diversity Award (2023).

Research Areas

  • Graphics and User Interfaces
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
  • Vision and Robotics
  • Accessibility Technology
  • Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR)
  • Visualization
  • Wireless, Embedded & Sensor Systems  

Additional information

  • Professional Experience
    • Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Columbia University, 2019-
    • Research Scientist, Snap Inc., 2018-2022
    • Software Engineering Intern, PhD, Google Research, 2014
    • Software Engineering Intern, PhD, Google Inc., 2012
    • Game Design and Development Intern, Funtank, LLC, 2010
    • Sophomore Summer Analyst, Bank of America Securities, 2007
       
  • Professional Affiliations
    • Affiliate Member, Data, Media, and Society Center, Data Science Institute; 
    • Affiliate Member, Smart Cities Center, Data Science Institute; 
    • Member, Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
  • Honors & Awards
    • NSF CAREER Award, National Science Foundation, 2024
    • Janette and Armen Avanessians Diversity Award, Columbia Engineering, 2023
    • Google Award for Inclusion Research (AIR), Google, Inc., 2022
    • Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, Columbia Engineering Alumni Association (CEAA), 2021
    • Kavli Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, 2019
    • “From Data to Solutions” Integrative Graduate Education & Research Traineeship (IGERT), National Science Foundation, 2015
    • National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship, U.S. Dept. of Defense, 2011
    • Center for Technology, Innovation, & Community Engagement Fellowship, Columbia Engineering, 2009
    • Costantino Colombo Outstanding Leadership Service Award, Columbia Engineering, 2009
  • Education
    • PhD, Computer Science, Columbia University
    • MPhil, Computer Science, Columbia University
    • MS, Computer Science, Columbia University
    • BS, Computer Science, Columbia University