The University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH), part of the University of Alabama system, announced that six UAH students have been awarded the Department of Defense Science scholarship , Mathematics and Research for Transformation (DoD SMART). The winners include mechanical engineering student Savannah Baron, cybersecurity student Michaela Dent, aerospace engineering student Alencia Hall, second year computer science Brooklyn Kelly, aerospace engineering graduate student Michaela Hemming and former aerospace engineering student Robert Schickling.

DoD SMART is a service scholarship program in which the DoD provides a full scholarship for recipients to earn research-oriented STEM degrees to advance the DoD mission, as well as health insurance, annual stipend, and assignment to an experienced mentor. in their field. For each year of funding toward an undergraduate or graduate degree, SMART Fellows commit to working that time for the DoD as a civilian employee. In addition to financial aid, DoD SMART offers annual summer research internships at DoD facilities, including Redstone Arsenal, across the United States to prepare students for full-time employment at DoD. .

Courtesy of Salle Alencia

Alencia room is a junior specialized in aerospace engineering and received an undergraduate SMART scholarship. She has been offered a position with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) on Redstone Arsenal and will have the option of accepting summer internships at the agency. Hall is involved in several organizations at UAH, including the Alabama Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Scholarship (ALSAMP) and is an Honorary Ambassador to Honors College. In addition, she recently completed an internship in the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University.

Michel Mercier | UAH

Michaela Dent is a cybersecurity junior entering her second year at DoD SMART, after completing her first internship at the US Army Combat Capability Development Center (CCDC) Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC) at Redstone Arsenal. This opportunity led her to change careers. “Previously I wanted to work as a cyber analyst or in network security, but now I have broadened my professional interests to include physical security,” Dent explains. “Honestly, I find both areas of cybersecurity fascinating, so having a career in either would make me happy. ”

Courtesy of Savannah Baron

The Savannah Baron is a mechanical engineering student specializing in her first year who received an undergraduate scholarship with MDA. Thanks to her upcoming MDA summer internships, she is convinced that this experience will help her find answers on her career path. Her interest in the defense industry is the main factor that has contributed to her acceptance of the SMART scholarship, and she is eager to learn more about this entry into this job market, whether in government or by diversifying into private industry.

Courtesy of Brooklyn Kelly

Brooklyn Kelly is a second year student specializing in computer science. She worked with MDA at Redstone Arsenal during the summer vacation in cybersecurity or test engineering. As a first year student, Kelly will have the advantage of completing an internship at MDA for three internship cycles, which will allow her to gain more practical experience in her field.

Courtesy of Robert Schickling

Robert schickling, a former aerospace engineering student, received a SMART Graduate Scholarship after learning of his acceptance into Virginia Tech’s Aerospace Engineering Masters program, where he will attend the fall semester. After graduating with a master’s degree, he will work at Edwards Air Force Base in Edwards, Calif., To work on structural flight testing on airplanes.

Michel Mercier | UAH

Aerospace engineering graduate student Michaela hemming was also offered a DoD SMART Graduate Scholarship, and as previously stated, she has a choice of three prestigious scholarships. Although she ultimately chose the NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities (NSTGRO) scholarship, we would like to congratulate her on her impressive achievement.

Scholarship and Graduate School Advisor Jennifer Staton sees the SMART scholarship as an ideal opportunity for UAH STEM students. “Because the university works closely with Redstone Arsenal, the STEM career paths for UAH students at DoD are plentiful,” Staton said. “Agencies such as MDA, CCDC AvMC and the growing presence of the FBI can come up with hands-on projects that our STEM students will find interesting and challenging. And this year’s fellows have already demonstrated that they will contribute successfully to the missions of these agencies.

Staton goes on to highlight the benefits of summer research opportunities. “SMART summer internships are extremely important opportunities for students to gain undergraduate work and research experience, which is essential for graduate study or the development of a career path. “