At the Florida Institute for National security (FINS), we’re thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of one of our own — graduate student Enrique Medici. Guided by FINS faculty member Dr. Kyle Cameron Hartig, Enrique recently participated in the prestigious U.S. Air Force SMART Scholar Program and attended an immersive visit to the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) at Patrick Space Force Base on June 26, 2025.
SMART (Science, Math, and Research for Transformation) is one of the Department of Defense’s largest education-to-workforce initiatives, offering full-tuition STEM scholarships, hands-on research experiences, personalized mentorship, and guaranteed civilian employment with the DoD upon graduation.
“I have seen firsthand how the DoD SMART Scholarship and federal employment has significantly benefited the professional development of peers and I am eager to begin this new journey. Especially working for the Air Force Technical Applications Center, where we monitor nuclear activity and keep the world safe by verifying countries are complying to their respective nuclear treaties and promptly identifying any clandestine activities,” Enrique said.
AFTAC, as the DoD’s sole nuclear surveillance organization, plays a critical role in monitoring compliance with nuclear treaties–making it an exceptional site for SMART Scholars to explore high-impact STEM careers.
Enrique’s participation in this program is a testament to FINS’ mission to build a robust and capable talent pipeline for our nation’s defense and intelligence communities. Under Dr. Hartig’s expert mentorship–a FINS Associate Professor who specializes in areas including remote sensing, machine learning, and nuclear nonproliferation–Enrique gained exposure to the vital intersection of applied science, national security, and real-world innovation.
At FINS, we are dedicated to translating our mission into action. By establishing interdisciplinary mentorships and supporting student engagement with programs like SMART, we reinforce our vision of cultivating an AI-and data science-savvy workforce ready to advance critical national security goals. Enrique’s journey exemplifies how FINS transforms education into impactful service to the nation.
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