Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi, a Nigerian-born engineer and daughter of Nigerian immigrants, has made history by becoming the first Black woman to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Robotics from the University of Michigan, a milestone that marks a significant breakthrough for diversity in one of the world's most competitive STEM fields. Dosunmu-Ogunbi achieved the feat during the university's College of Engineering convocation, where she reflected on the support she received throughout her academic journey and urged graduates to recognise those who helped them succeed.
Her journey to the historic achievement was far from straightforward. Dosunmu-Ogunbi first attempted her PhD in 2020, the year the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted academic programmes worldwide, but the journey hit a snag that stalled her for a while. She failed her qualifying exams in the mechanical engineering PhD programme at U-M. Faced with exiting during a pandemic-induced recession, she turned to her mentor Chad Jenkins, a professor of robotics, for advice. Jenkins acted immediately, reaching out to his networks and bringing on board Jessy Grizzle, a professor of robotics who had intended to retire but welcomed Dosunmu-Ogunbi to his lab as his final PhD student.
With the support of her mentors and peers, Dosunmu-Ogunbi had to face her qualifying exams again. This time, professors Kira Barton and Robert Gregg asked questions that rebuilt her confidence and got her back on track. Her perseverance paid off. In her research, she developed a stair-climbing algorithm for underactuated robots—a significant contribution to the field of bipedal locomotion—and is currently expanding the capabilities of that algorithm in her postdoctoral work. Reflecting on her journey, she said: "I am the first Black woman to get a PhD in Robotics at the University of Michigan. I do not stand here on my own two feet alone. None of us got here by our individual merit alone".
Addressing graduates at the convocation ceremony, Dosunmu-Ogunbi, the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, stressed that success is rarely achieved alone. "Whether it be teachers, friends, family, mentors, or role models, we each have one or multiple people to whom we are grateful for making this moment possible," she said. She also spoke about the legacy she hopes to leave, saying she wants to be remembered not only for breaking barriers but also for using engineering to make a positive impact on society. "A Michigan Engineer is one who does not just provide scientific and technological leadership, but is also one who is intellectually curious, socially conscious, creates collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promotes an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good," she stated.
According to the University of Michigan's Robotics Department, Dosunmu-Ogunbi's academic journey reflects the experience of many doctoral students who begin their studies without a clearly defined destination but develop into accomplished researchers through perseverance and purpose. The department highlighted her contributions beyond research, describing her as an active community builder within the robotics programme. During her time at the university, she received the College of Engineering's Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Award in recognition of her mentorship and inspirational leadership. She also served as a Robotics outreach ambassador for three consecutive years, from 2021 to 2023. Her achievements include finishing as runner-up in the College of Engineering's Three-Minute Thesis competition and being inducted into the Bouchet Society, which recognises outstanding scholarly achievement while promoting diversity in graduate education and academia.
Dosunmu-Ogunbi's historic achievement is a testament to the power of mentorship, resilience, and community support. As a Nigerian-born engineer now making her mark in the United States, she has become a role model for aspiring engineers, particularly women and minorities, who have traditionally been underrepresented in robotics and STEM fields. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that barriers are meant to be broken and that with determination and the right support, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome. The Robotics Department disclosed that Dosunmu-Ogunbi is currently interviewing for faculty positions as she prepares for the next stage of her academic career.
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