Posted on October 2, 2024
VICKSBURG, Miss. – Research Civil Engineer Joelle Westcott with the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) was awarded the Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Program Creative Research & Engineering Advancing Technical Equity in STEM (CREATES) Grant for Fiscal Year 2025.
The largest federal employer of scientists and engineers, the DoD awarded seven new grants totaling $815,000 of funding. The grant awarded to Westcott is worth $217,000 over two years.
“I was simultaneously honored and excited,” said Westcott. “The end of the fiscal year is a time where we are wrapping up current projects and looking forward to future ones, so it was great to add this one to next year’s project list.”
The SMART CREATES Collaboration Grant is awarded to SMART scholars and their mentors at participating DoD sponsoring facilities. Westcott has been a SMART scholar since 2021.
“I was a Phase 1 scholar from August 2021-May 2023. I became a Phase two scholar in June 2023, and my service commitment will be up in June 2025,” Westcott explained. “A Phase 1 scholar is someone who is still in school and working towards their degree, while a Phase 2 scholar is someone who has achieved their degree and is fulfilling their service commitment. After I have fulfilled my service commitment, I will become a Phase 3 scholar.”
SMART is the largest science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-focused education and workforce initiative under DoD STEM.
Westcott’s application was evaluated for technical merit, mission relevance, return on investment, mentoring and budget. Her proposed effort will explore miniaturization of electrical resistivity and fiber optic strain sensing for both the detection of subsurface seepage and the subsurface air voids using ERDC’s large‐beam geotechnical centrifuge.
“I am excited to represent ERDC and show what is possible for a young researcher,” said Westcott. “I am very grateful to the SMART program for investing in young researchers and giving us the opportunity to explore new ideas.”
SMART CREATES Collaboration Grant is an opportunity for any Phase 2 SMART Scholars to pursue DoD relevant technical collaborations with faculty and students at a Minority Service Institution. Westcott will be working with Texas State University and the CREATE University Transportation Center.
“I am really excited to use this opportunity to connect with Texas State University and to share my research with a wider audience across the Department of Defense,” said Westcott.
