HPU Student Earns SMART Scholarship from U.S. Department of Defense
Alexa Young, a junior chemistry major from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, has received the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense.
HIGH POINT, N.C., April 24, 2024 – Alexa Young, a junior chemistry major from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, has received the highly prestigious Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
The SMART Scholarship is for undergraduate and graduate students in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering who are working on research projects impacting technologies directly of interest to the DoD. As a SMART Scholar, Young will receive full tuition for her senior year, education-related funding and a stipend of $30,000. The HPU Honors Scholar will also receive mentorship within the DoD and a summer research internship. After graduation, Young will work as a chemist for the U.S. Army in Picatinny, New Jersey.
“Before choosing to attend High Point University, I had dreams of attending the United States Air Force Academy,” said Young, who also has a minor in mathematics. “Unfortunately, I was medically disqualified after receiving a congressional nomination. I was left with aspirations to serve but not a clear direction of how to do so. During my freshman year, I met a High Point University alumna who had worked previously in the same research lab as me and who was a civilian chemist for the Navy. She opened my eyes to civilian service and from then on, that became my career goal.”
Young learned about the SMART Scholarship through Dr. Keir Fogarty, an associate professor of chemistry and HPU’s co-director of Natural Sciences Fellows. As Young’s research mentor, Fogarty knew about her interest in working for the military and forwarded her an email he had received about the scholarship. After reading about what the SMART Scholarship entailed, Young knew immediately that it could lead directly to fulfilling her goal of becoming a chemist for the military.
“The Office of Fellowships and Awards helped me start my application and provided me with resources for the application process,” said Young. “Dr. Fogarty then guided me with his academic support and mentorship. Now that I have received the scholarship with the help of the Chemistry Department and Honors Scholars Program, I am extremely excited about my future and cannot wait to contribute to the scientific advancements of the United States Armed Forces.”
Young has been a research assistant since spring 2022 in Fogarty’s lab, where she collaborates with materials scientists who are creating antimicrobial surfaces with applications for medical devices. She has presented posters of her research at HPU’s Research and Creativity Symposium, the state of North Carolina’s Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium, the Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society and the American Chemical Society National Conference. She recently presented her work on treatment of antibiotic-resistant biofilms at the American Chemical Society meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. Coauthors on her poster were Fogarty; Bailey Sobolewski, a junior biology major; and Dr. Meghan Blackledge, an associate professor of chemistry and co-director of Natural Sciences Fellows.
“Alexa Young is always seeking ways to challenge herself and grow professionally,” said Fogarty. “She relishes the challenge of exploring new ideas and developing life skills. In addition, she is passionate about giving back to her country that has provided her so much. I cannot think of a more deserving person to win this prestigious award.”
The SMART Scholarship is a combined educational and workforce development program that educates and fosters the DoD’s future civilian STEM workforce through partnerships with academic institutions, STEM educators, DoD laboratories and agencies. The scholarship was awarded in 2023 to HPU student Blake Robinson, a computer science major and data analytics minor from Concord, North Carolina. He will be working at the DoD after graduation.