Recognition by Other Organizations
2024 SAE International Mobility Innovation Award for People with Disabilities Honoring Steven M. Atkins
Dr Scott Clements wins the 2024 SAE International Mobility Innovation Award for People with Disabilities, Honoring Steven M. Atkins. This award recognizes the significant technical achievements brought about by innovation, leadership, and inspiration of employees with disabilities working in the mobility engineering industry.
Dr. Clements is an industry recognized expert and leader in the field of prognostics and diagnostics of aircraft systems. His career accomplishments are exceptional by any measure. Scott was able to achieve this recognition and status despite his disability. Scott has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a genetic, degenerative condition that has left him in an electronic wheelchair. Scott has battled his disability since he was an infant. He has never been able to walk on his own. Over the years, his muscles have become weaker and his ability to handle simple things, like moving from his scooter to his bed, have been slowly lost to him. However, Scott never allowed SMA to stop him. If SMA presented a physical challenge, Scott’s innovative mind would quickly go into action to find a way to overcome each obstacle. This mindset put Scott on the path to becoming an engineer.
In 1996, Scott earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Mississippi State University with a 4.0 GPA. In 1998, he earned his Master of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology with a 4.0 GPA. In 2003, he earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology with a 4.0 GPA.
In 2003, Scott started his career at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics where he led the initial development of prognostic algorithms for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), also known as the F35. In 2007, Scott left the F35 program to work on various internal R&D projects with Lockheed. For the next five years, he worked to enhance Lockheed Martin’s core prognostic competencies. In 2012, he returned to the F35 PHM team, taking over the continued development, implementation, and analysis of prognostic algorithms for the F35. Since 2018, Scott has worked as an Associate Fellow on the Analytics, PHM and Artificial Intelligence Innovations team of Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems. In this position, he is working to apply data analytics and AI expertise to LM Aeronautics’ platforms, including the F35 and F22. Scott is named on two patents issued by the USPTO.
Scott is an inspiration to everyone that works with him at Lockheed Martin and to everyone who has volunteered beside him at PHM Society and IEEE events. He is a problem-solver. He never complains about his condition. He simply finds a way to work around the situation to get the outcome he seeks. Most able-bodied individuals will never accomplish as much as Scott has, yet Scott has excelled despite dealing with significant mobility limitations.
