UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Andy Huynh and Trevor J. Barrett, both doctoral students in electrical engineering at Penn State, have been awarded the U.S. Department of Defense Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship.
The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program awards merit-based scholarships to students in science, technology, engineering and math fields, offering full tuition for up to five years, as well as mentorships, summer internships, an annual stipend between $30,000 and $46,000 and guaranteed post-graduation civilian employment with the Department of Defense.
Huynh’s research primarily entails optimization techniques in electromagnetics, using complex algorithms to design enhancement structures for antennas and other tools. Receiving the SMART Scholarship was “surreal,” he said.
“I’m still taking it all in,” Huynh said. “When I received the acceptance email, I was shocked.”
The scholarship includes a summer internship program, which pairs students with experienced mentors at a U.S. defense research facility to build their technical expertise and provide hands-on experience in their field. Huynh’s summer internship will be with the Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he will also work post-graduation. Kirtland was his first choice for pairing.
“I’m interested in doing research that combines my interests in electromagnetics with material science,” he said. "Kirtland is a major center for this kind of research. It feels like a match.”
Huynh graduated from Drexel University in 2024 with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering, where he held internships with L3Harris Technologies and Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions.
Douglas Werner, John L. and Genevieve H. McCain Chair Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Huynh’s adviser, said the scholarship is a recognition of Huynh’s accomplishments.
“Andy has made groundbreaking contributions to the design and application of gradient index lens technology for advanced antenna systems,” Werner said. “This is a great opportunity for him to apply his skills to the development of high-power microwave antennas for the Air Force Research Lab.”
Barrett is studying methods to increase bandwidth of antenna networks. He is currently researching methods of time-varying, or rapidly changing electrical properties, for reconfigurable antenna structures to effectively increase the amount of data that can be passed through it.
“You may be familiar with 3G, 4G and now 5G,” Barrett said. “That’s an increased amount of data.”
Gregory Huff, professor of electrical engineering and Barrett’s adviser, said he is “extremely happy" for Barrett to receive this award and is grateful for his decision to pursue a career in service post-graduation.
“Trevor is an outstanding student and world-class researcher in antennas and applied electromagnetics who doesn't quit when it comes to solving some of the most challenging problems in our field,” Huff said.
Barrett said the scholarship offers monetary relief and a sense of focus, as now he has secure funding to fully concentrate on his research.
“I am grateful to have the funding, and the job security that comes with the award,” Barrett said, who will complete his internship with a naval base in Point Mogu, California, about 60 miles west of Los Angeles, where he will work post-graduation as part of the scholarship.
“It’s a state-of-the-art facility,” Barrett said. “Their work aligns with my interests — antenna systems, electromagnetics, radio frequency engineering. I’m really excited.”