By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Record breaker: Nigerian American woman achieves PhD milestone in Robotics
Oluwami (Wami) Dosunmu-Ogunbi has etched her name in history as the first black woman to attain a Doctorate in Robotics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in the United States.
Wami, hailing from Nigerian immigrant parents, has earned her doctorate in Robotics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a vision to utilize her engineering prowess for the betterment of others’ lives.
She commenced her academic journey at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with honors in 2017. Subsequently, she pursued further studies at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, obtaining a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, followed by another Master’s in Robotics.
“A Michigan Engineer not only leads in science and technology but also exhibits intellectual curiosity, social consciousness, and fosters an inclusive and innovative community for the common good,” she remarked.
Initially enrolled in the University of Michigan’s mechanical engineering PhD program, Wami encountered setbacks, including failing her qualifying exams. However, with mentorship from professors like Chad Jenkins and Jessy Grizzle, she overcame challenges and found her footing in the robotics field.
Her doctoral research primarily focused on developing a new stair-climbing controller for bipedal walking robots, showcasing her technical prowess and innovative thinking. Throughout her studies, she demonstrated a keen interest in effectively communicating complex engineering concepts to a wider audience.
Wami actively contributed to the robotics community at the university, earning accolades such as the MLK Spirit Award for mentoring and inspiration, and being appointed as an outreach ambassador by Robotics for three years. Beyond her engineering pursuits, she showcased her communication skills by participating in competitions like the College of Engineering’s 3-minute-thesis contest.
Wami’s remarkable achievement serves as an inspiration not only to aspiring engineers but also to individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in the field of robotics.
Nigerian American, Robotics,
Record breaker: Nigerian American woman achieves PhD milestone in Robotics