Mark Alan Chancey, a master’s student in electrical engineering at North Carolina State University, has been awarded the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship.

Chancey received the scholarship for his work on photonic devices for underwater communications. He is developing a short-range, high-bandwidth optical communication system that could be integrated into wet suits and masks to help divers communicate with underwater vehicles and other divers.

Former Navy Vice Adm. Herb Browne, president and CEO of AFCEA International, presented the award. AFCEA “serves as a bridge between government requirements and industry capabilities, representing top government, industry and military professionals in the fields of information technology, communications and intelligence.”