Meet Spotlighted Alumni and Professionals
The Department of Defense (DoD)’s STEM professionals, including scientists, engineers, manufacturing, and more, are the bedrock of our nation’s most advanced technology and research breakthroughs, including the Internet, the Global Positioning System (GPS), virtual reality, virtual recognition technology, the digital camera, autonomous vehicles, and many more! These DoD STEM professionals also serve an important role as mentors to the aspiring future generation. Many DoD STEM opportunities for students in high school through college graduation are offered one-of-a-kind experiences.
of jobs will require STEM skills in the next decade.
The DoD employs nearly half of STEM professionals in the Federal government.

Sunny Khemlani
Cognitive Scientist
Navy Center for Applied Research and Artificial Intelligence, Naval Research Laboratory
Sunny Khemlani
Navy Center for Applied Research and Artificial Intelligence, Naval Research Laboratory
The U.S. Navy has many challenges with keeping its sailors safe at sea and its fleet in top working order. Robot systems equipped with artificial intelligence can help with tasks at sea that are repetitious and potentially dangerous—such as maintaining electrical systems. Khemlani says he is most inspired when small groups of people work on big ideas and build something that positively impacts lots of people, such as the BIGHT robot featured in this segment.
Meet More STEM Professionals & Alumni
Sunny Khemlani
Cognitive Scientist, Navy Center for Applied Research and Artificial Intelligence, Naval Research Laboratory

Erica Borgers
Chemical Hygiene and Biological Safety Officer, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, Virginia

David Lee
Technology Transfer Specialist, Picatinny Arsenal, U.S. Army DEVCOM

Jonathan Stroud
DoD SMART Scholar, Engineer, & STEM Outreach, Space Systems Command, U.S. Space Force

Dr. Oscar Martinez
Astrochemist, Air Force Research Laboratory

Isabella Quan
DoD STEM Scholar, Research Science Institute, Center for Excellence in Education

Amber Luo
DoD STEM Scholar, Research Science Institute, Center for Excellence in Education

Dr. Oscar Perez
Computer Engineer and Cybersecurity Analyst, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development, Command Data & Analysis Center

Dr. Abigail Juhl
Materials Research Engineer, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory

Karrin Felton
Chemical Engineer and Program Manager, DoD SMART Scholarship for Service Program

Samina Mondal
Student and Researcher, University of Virginia

Matthew Tan
Student, Aerospace Engineering, Stanford University

Dr. Brandon Cochenour
Deputy Program Manager, SMART Scholarship for Service Program

Dr. Bryn Adams
Synthetic Biologist and Environmental Microbiologist, DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory
