NEWPORT – John DiCecco, an engineer at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, won a U.S. Department of Defense Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Advocate Award. The award honors those who show exemplary support of STEM education and outreach.
DiCecco works with the center’s educational outreach program and is a leader and mentor in the community, according to a NUWC press release. He judges science fairs and robotics competitions, guides educational outreach efforts and is active in Science & Math Investigative Learning Experiences, an after-school enrichment program.
Since 2009, he has participated in the expansion of the SeaPerch underwater robotics program into the New Bedford school system and designed and developed advanced sensor applications for the SeaPerch platform. DiCecco also designed and developed the Undersea Technology Apprentice Program, where up to 20 students can study alongside NUWC Division Newport scientists and engineers for three weeks during the summer.
An evaluation panel member called DiCecco a “very strong demonstration of naval STEM capabilities and commitment,” according to the release.
DiCecco earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering in addition to bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering, all from the University of Rhode Island.
NUWC Division Newport provides research, development, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, and undersea offensive and defensive weapons systems. It is part of the Naval Sea System Command.
Susan Shalhoub is a PBN contributor.
