University of New Orleans computer science graduate student Johny Lopez has been awarded the Department of Defense’s Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship, a prestigious award that supports top STEM students through full tuition, mentorship, hands-on research and a guaranteed position with the Department of Defense upon graduation. Lopez is a research assistant with UNO's Gulf States Center for Environmental Informatics (GulfSCEI).

The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program provides recipients with up to five years of full tuition coverage, a $40,000 annual stipend, funding for books and medical expenses and summer internships at leading Department of Defense research facilities across the Army, Navy, Air Force and other agencies. This program not only equips students with advanced technical skills, but also ensures they play a direct role in supporting national security efforts through cutting-edge research.

Lopez's research focuses on robotic applications in underground infrastructure inspection, specifically in culverts and sewer pipes. His work integrates advanced robotic vision, autonomous navigation and AI-powered analysis to enhance the inspection and maintenance of critical subterranean systems. By improving the way these underground networks are monitored, this research has the potential to increase efficiency, reduce costs and prevent failures in vital infrastructure, a challenge that aligns closely with the Department of Defense's mission to modernize and secure public and military assets.

“The support from GulfSCEI has been instrumental in my growth, and I’m excited to contribute my skills to the Department of Defense, where I can help advance technologies that improve the safety and efficiency of critical systems,” Lopez said.

After completing his degree, Lopez will transition into a full-time role at the Naval Research Laboratory, Department of the Navy, at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, where he will apply his expertise in robotic sensing, machine learning and autonomous systems to real-world defense applications.

Lopez is the second GulfSCEI research assistant awarded the SMART Scholarship. Austin Schmidt, currently a doctoral GulfSCEI researcher, is also a recipient.

For over a decade, the Department of Defense has used programs like SMART to cultivate a highly skilled STEM workforce capable of tackling evolving technological challenges. The Department of Defense remains the largest employer of federal scientists and engineers, with nearly 150,000 civilian STEM employees working across various defense sectors.