In the cutting-edge world of naval research, Matthew Bays, Ph.D., stands out as an example of the SMART Scholarship Program's success. Now serving as the Senior Scientist for Robotics and Optimization at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), Matthew’s journey from scholar to innovator showcases the program's transformative impact.
Joining the 2008 SMART cohort when the program was in its infancy, Matthew quickly recognized its potential. "SMART was an extremely new program, both nationally and at NSWC PCD," he recalls. This early opportunity set the stage for a career bridging academic research and practical naval applications.
Matthew’s SMART internships proved pivotal, leading to a Ph.D. thesis on novel path planning algorithms for underwater target detection. This work didn't remain theoretical – it's now implemented on Navy uncrewed underwater vehicles and integrated into NSWC PCD's autonomy frameworks.
Today, Matthew leads research into planning algorithms for undersea warfare and autonomy, directly supporting NSWC PCD's mission in mine, subsea, seabed warfare. His recent publication on adaptive re-planning for maritime search tasks promises to enhance the Navy's capabilities in underwater operations.
Matthew’s impact extends beyond his research. As a mentor to several SMART scholars, he's innovating in talent development. "We essentially have a great system to select and then support up-and-coming SMART scholars within our science and technology branches," Matthew explains. His very engaging approach includes helping mentees secure funding through Navy Innovation for Science & Engineering proposals before they even complete their Ph.D.’s.
Matthew also plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges of recruiting the next generation of NSWC PCD’s workforce, including advanced degree holders. He's developed a pathway for NSWC PCD to leverage SMART to hire Ph.D.’s, significantly boosting the number of doctorates in NSWC PCD's Science & Technology branches.
As the NSWC PCD Director for the Naval Engineering Education Consortium, Matthew continues to foster the academia-to-navy research pipeline. When asked about his favorite aspect of the job, he highlights the autonomy researchers enjoy: "Work doing research at the Warfare Centers is much more horizontal than top-down. I think working for the Navy Warfare Centers is the best of both worlds between academia and industry."
From his early days as a SMART scholar in academic pursuit to his current role as a senior scientist and mentor, Matthew exemplifies the transformative impact of the SMART program on naval research and development. His journey underscores the program's vital role in nurturing talent, highlighting the enduring value of programs like SMART in maintaining national technological superiority.
| Date Taken: | 08.05.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.05.2024 11:21 |
| Story ID: | 477800 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 55 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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