Spencer R. Pruitt earned his PhD in Physical Chemistry from Iowa State University. His early research focused on high-performance computing and electronic structure methods, emphasizing scalable fragmentation and ab initio molecular dynamics. At Argonne National Laboratory, Spencer served as Co-Principal Investigator on projects using millions of core hours to study molecular systems. Optimizing algorithms for large-scale supercomputers led him towards high-performance computing (HPC) and supporting science with technology.
At Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Spencer upgraded HPC clusters and services, enhancing research capabilities and expanding user engagement. He also served as Interim Director of Academic & Research Computing, optimizing data storage and co-developing compliance strategies for data management and security.
At Northeastern University, Spencer led Research Computing, Academic Technologies, and Communication Infrastructure. He oversaw infrastructure upgrades, managed academic technologies services, and led research computing initiatives. He also led the migration to the Canvas LMS and developed a Secure Data Enclave for sensitive research data, aligning these initiatives with institutional goals.
In 2023, Spencer transitioned to HMS, where he has served as Chief Technology Officer and Interim Chief Information Officer. Spencer is committed to empowering teams, driving innovation, and fostering growth through servant leadership, continuing this tradition at HMS IT.