AI Trendsetter: Computer Science PhD Student Lands DoD Fellowship

Adebayo Braimah, a PhD student in computer science at Stony Brook University, has been awarded the highly competitive Department of Defense (DoD) National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship for 2024. This award, established by Congress in 1989, recognizes Braimah's exceptional academic abilities and potential contributions to national security through scientific research.

The NDSEG Fellowship, sponsored by the U.S. Navy, Air Force and Army, provides three years of full tuition coverage and an annual stipend of $43,200. With a selection rate of only about 2 percent from thousands of applicants nationwide, this award places Braimah among the top emerging researchers in the country.

Braimah's research focuses on the explainability of machine learning models, aiming to develop methods that make complex algorithms more interpretable and transparent. He obtained his BS in chemistry and mathematics from the University of Kansas and his MS in neuroimaging and informatics at the University of Southern California and has authored more than a dozen papers. Braimah's work at Stony Brook University aligns with the DoD's goals of advancing cutting-edge technologies to address complex challenges in cybersecurity, data analysis and autonomous systems.

"We are grateful to the Department of Defense for supporting Adebayo's education and research via this fellowship," said Samir Das, professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science. "We are committed to fostering talent that can significantly contribute to national security research."

The NDSEG Fellowship will allow Braimah to fully dedicate himself to his doctoral studies and research without financial constraints. It also provides opportunities for professional development and networking within the defense research community.

"I'm honored to receive this fellowship," Braimah said. "It will enable me to pursue my research goals in AI and deep learning, potentially contributing to advancements that can benefit both civilian and defense applications."

Braimah's success highlights Stony Brook's growing prominence in AI and cybersecurity research and as a hub for preparing the next generation of scientific leaders. As he continues his doctoral studies, his work is expected to push boundaries and strengthen the ties between academia and national defense initiatives.

- Yuganshu Jain