Wright State AI researcher awarded SMART scholarship from Defense Department

Al Amin Hossain, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science and engineering at Wright State, received a Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation scholarship from the Department of Defense. (Photos by Erin Pence)

Al Amin Hossain focuses on artificial intelligence with a personal intelligence that’s far from artificial. In fact, he’s SMART and has the scholarship to prove it.

With that earned aid, he can pursue his Ph.D. in computer science and engineering at Wright State University and help the U.S. Air Force from falling victim to dangerous artificial intelligence.

Hossain’s journey to Wright State has been relatively recent and from afar. He was born and raised in Bangladesh, coming to the United States in 2013 to pursue a master’s in computer science at the University of Texas in San Antonio.

After earning that degree, he worked in the computer science field for several years and in 2021 joined the U.S. Air Force as a computer scientist civilian employee.

Two years later he enrolled in Wright State’s computer science and engineering because he longed to earn a Ph.D.

Hossain chose Wright State because of its strong computer science and engineering program and its proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he continued to work as a civilian contractor.

His focus is studying how to improve AI hardware security.

“I’m focusing on research on how to detect and eliminate unwanted malicious codes from the Air Force’s computer systems,” Hossain said. “We want to understand how to use AI. That’s crucial for us because the world is moving into AI, and if we don’t keep up, we’ll be behind. So my work is important for our national security.”

Hossain received a Department of Defense scholarship called SMART — Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation — that will allow him to continue working while pursuing the doctorate.

As part of the SMART Scholarship program, Hossain will collaborate with leading scientists and engineers, gaining invaluable experience and contributing to cutting-edge technologies that support the Air Force’s strategic goals.

The SMART scholarship will support Al Amin Hossain’s research to improve artificial intelligence hardware security.

The program aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders in science and technology fields critical to national defense.

“The goal of the SMART scholarship is to produce more technical people and improve skills and to focus on topics that are important to the Department of Defense,” Hossain said.

The SMART scholarship recognizes Hossain’s work and provides a gateway to continue to contribute to the nation’s defense technology and security, said Fathi Amsaad, Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science at Wright State.

“He is working in the area of AI hardware security and has already published a couple of papers in this field,” Amsaad said.

Hossain also works with Amsaad on grant projects from the Air Force Research Laboratory and the National Security Agency.

“This scholarship is similar to those awarded by other federal agencies to recognize cutting-edge research of graduate students and support them,” Amsaad said.

The goal is to prepare and develop a workforce for the Department of Defense, Air Force, and government, he said, and is a “testament to the power of hard work, dedication and passion.”

Hossain said enrolling at Wright State has turned out well, and the university and the College of Engineering and Computer Science have been supportive.

“The faculty and staff here are fantastic,” he said. “They’re helping me to focus on my research.”

So in a sense, coming to Wright State was a smart move for Hossain, in more ways than one.