AFRL researcher a role model for budding scientists

  • Published
  • By Jeanne Dailey
  • Air Force Research Laboratory
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  "I get to spend half my time thinking about molecules and half my time thinking about satellites," said Dr. Jaime Stearns, head of a space chemical lab in the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles directorate at Kirtland. "In order to develop a new technology for a satellite, we have to understand, in detail, the molecules that make it up."

In 2000, Stearns graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in chemistry, followed by a Ph.D. in chemistry from Purdue University. After three years as a postdoctoral researcher at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland, Stearns joined AFRL as a research associate with the National Research Council at Hanscom Air Force Base near Boston. She became a civil servant a year later and relocated to New Mexico in 2011. Stearns is excited about her work with AFRL where she gets to work on cutting-edge research.

"I started thinking about science in the sixth grade," Stearns said. "The first time I learned what atoms are and how they are structured with certain numbers of electrons in each orbital, I was enchanted by the idea that we actually knew what these smallest bits of matter looked like. I had a few good science teachers who influenced me to pursue chemistry. One of my lab directors in college convinced me I should get a Ph.D.--he said I would be bored otherwise."

With Stearns' energy and persistence, it's no surprise she is also a committed athlete. She's an avid runner and plans on running her sixth half marathon in May.

"I took up rock climbing last year...it's such a great sport, your body and your mind are so taxed in trying to stay on the wall, or do the next move that there is no room for the everyday stresses of life to creep in," she said.

Stearns said she's been really lucky as a woman in science.

"I've been surrounded only by supportive people. I literally cannot remember anyone telling me I shouldn't be a scientist, or that women were not as good as men. I've been surrounded by people who have set higher goals for me than I had for myself. I hope I can be that kind of support to other young scientists--men or women," she said.

"The Air Force is really lucky to be able to recruit bright young scientists like Jamie into our labs," said Dr. Greg Spanjers, the Space Vehicles directorate's chief scientist. "The best part of my job is explaining the Air Force capability we are trying to enable to young scientists like Jamie, and hear back five cool innovative ideas I would have never thought of. 

"One of Jamie's experiments is exploring new ways to use sunlight to generate plasmas in space and possibly improve the spacecraft thermal protection. This is an innovative new idea she offered during informal discussions just a few months ago, and is already researching today."

Stearns has high aspirations where the nature of her business is high-risk, high reward.

"When I first came here, I figured I would do basic research and run a lab the rest of my career...but then I started getting involved in applied research especially space experiments where I am part of a group of hugely talented people," she said. "I think the one thing I would most love to see is the development of something that starts as basic research in my lab transitioned all the way to become operational."

Stearns has high hopes outside the lab too.

"I want to run a marathon someday," she said. "And finish a Saturday New York Times crossword. And see the Cubs win the World Series."