With a goal of raising awareness about the U.S Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) mission, an NRL researcher traveled to the Lone Star State during Fort Worth Navy Week, Oct. 23-25.

Dr. Abbie Watnik, a Colorado Springs, Colo. native and a leading authority in digital holography, visited local schools to highlight STEM education, foster ties and share information about NRL's mission. Throughout the week, she discussed what she does at NRL, shared personal stories and discussed how her scientific research supports Navy and Marine Corps readiness and its warfighters.

"NRL is a place where scientists and engineers like myself are encouraged to pursue things in our interest, but, that also produce short-term and long-term applicability to our warfighter and commercial sector," said Watnik. "I am sure my research-producing, interactive, real-time digital holography will intrigue the scientists and engineers of tomorrow's STEM workforce."

Unique to her trip was a visit with Navy JROTC cadets at Arlington Heights High School to emphasize the importance of a STEM education. While there, she explained to the cadets the way holograms work, how light bends and detracts, and how light can be spread out into several colors.

"Watnik's optical research is extraordinary in supporting the Navy's greater mission," said retired Navy Commander and Senior Naval Science Instructor, Lance Fisher at Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, Texas. "STEM is so important to our nation and I am happy to have someone of her caliber introduce our cadets into how the Navy needs STEM professionals."

A highlight to her trip was Watnik's visit to Southern Methodist University's (SMU) engineering department. While there, she met with the local chapter of Society of Women Engineers (SWE), toured the facilities, provided a lecture on her work in holography and active imaging and held an info session to provide details to students interested in a career at NRL.

"We are so fortunate to have Dr. Watnik, who is not only at the top of her professional field, but someone who also clearly cares about enticing students into interesting STEM careers with the Navy," said Dr. Marc P. Christensen, SMU's Dean of Lyle School of Engineering. "SMU has twice above the national average of women in our engineering program, and Dr. Watnik is more than an outstanding example to them."

According to Watnik, it is STEM outreach efforts like these that support the idea of motivating students from all backgrounds to get involved, and ultimately continue to build the nation's STEM workforce.

"Inspiring students from all walks of life with compelling research and letting them see people experiencing a fulfilling STEM career is an effective way to spark real interest," said Watnik. "This is the reason why I make it a point to get involved with STEM outreach in as many ways as I can."

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