GEMS Program Connects Fort Detrick Mentors to STEM Career Insights from Senior Military Scientists

High school and college students serving as mentors in Fort Detrick’s annual STEM education program recently gained firsthand exposure to the broad career opportunities in science and technology through a special engagement with senior military scientists. According to the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, participants in the Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) program heard career stories and advice from top Defense Health Agency leaders, reinforcing the importance of STEM education and ethical responsibility in tomorrow’s workforce.

Dr. Carrie Quinn, Deputy to the Commanding General of DHA Research & Development, and Col. Jacob Johnson, a biosafety fellow at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, spoke with the mentors about their diverse paths into science, spanning clinical work, military service, national security, and advanced biomedical research. Their presentations highlighted how scientific careers in the Department of Defense are not confined to lab benches, but can include leadership, policy, technology development, and intelligence work. The mentors—who guide younger students through hands-on STEM experiences—received both practical career insights and long-term encouragement to explore federal science roles.

Dr. Quinn, who previously advised top defense and intelligence leaders at the White House, underscored the need for future scientists to possess strong ethical frameworks in light of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and combat robotics. Johnson, an immunologist and former trauma research director, encouraged students to view STEM as a gateway into a wide variety of fields, including those outside traditional research, such as finance and tech transfer. Their guidance aligns with DHA R&D-MRDC’s mission to recruit the next generation of innovators for military medical advancement and national security.

The GEMS program continues to serve as a key tool for local workforce development, offering young residents in Frederick County and beyond early exposure to military science careers. Students and families participating in the program are not only gaining educational benefits but are also better positioned for future internship and employment opportunities with federal agencies such as the Defense Health Agency.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from Medical Research and Development Command

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