Chemistry Candidate receives U.S. Department of Defense SMART Scholarship
A'Laura C. Hines, a physical chemistry PhD candidate at George Mason University, has been awarded the prestigious U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship. This scholarship offers educational and workforce development opportunities for STEM students, fostering the next generation of DoD civilian experts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program, funded by the Department of Defense (DoD), provides full tuition, an annual stipend, and a summer internship at a DoD facility. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and mentorship to prepare scholars for careers in defense technologies after graduation, supporting them with financial resources while they study and gain practical experience.
"It is incredibly humbling to be recognized for my hard work," said Hines, reflecting on the honor. “"The offer for full funding allows me to focus on accelerating my research progress.”
For Hines, the comprehensive support offered by the DoD SMART Scholarship was a major draw. In addition to funding her graduate degree, the scholarship guarantees a government civil servant job upon graduation, providing both security and an exciting career path in the defense sector.
Hines's journey in science began at George Mason University, where she earned her BA in Chemistry in 2013. While an undergraduate, Hines spent time researching synthesized cooking oils as an alternative to diesel fuel using Mass Spectroscopy. She also studied the mechanism of methanol ice formation using FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) to simulate ice formation in interstellar environments.
Currently, as a PhD candidate, Hines is actively involved in George Mason’s Clayborne Research Group where her graduate research initially focused on nanoscale aluminum clusters using Density Functional Theory (DFT). Inspired by her participation in NASA’s Dragonfly Guest Investigator Program, her current work explores computational studies of molecular co-crystals in astrophysics and astrochemistry.
"The program has been transformative, providing me with hands-on experience and expanding my scientific horizons," Hines remarked. This research uses simulations to understand how these new solid organic materials form and remain stable.
The Dragonfly Guest Investigator Program facilitated Hines's collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she participated in a Planetary Science Summer Internship. This initiative pairs students with NASA scientists to bolster early career opportunities in STEM fields. During her internship, Hines investigated the behavior of complex mixtures of organic and aqueous ices pertinent to Titan's conditions, directly contributing to NASA's exploration objectives.
Hines said that her George Mason mentors, like Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Graduate Student Affairs Gerald Weatherspoon, have been a source of encouragement and inspiration. Her research advisor, Acting Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and chemistry professor Andre Clayborne introduced her to computational chemistry and she said has been instrumental in helping her understand and explore new areas of research.
Hines offers this advice to aspiring STEM students: "Believe in yourself and follow your dreams. Build connections and seek research opportunities early." She encourages all eligible students to consider applying for the DoD SMART Scholarship . Looking ahead, she envisions a career as a research scientist, leveraging her SMART Scholarship experience to continue making discoveries and collaborating with top scientists in her field.
