Nigerian-American engineer Oluwami (Wami) Dosunmu-Ogunbi has made history as the first Black woman to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Robotics from the University of Michigan, marking a major milestone in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Her achievement has been widely celebrated as a breakthrough for diversity and inclusion in robotics research.
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Dosunmu-Ogunbi was recognised during the University of Michigan’s 2024 commencement ceremonies, where she was selected as one of the student speakers. Addressing graduates, she reflected on the importance of mentors, teachers, family and advocates in helping individuals achieve their dreams, stressing that success is rarely accomplished alone.
Born to Nigerian immigrant parents, Dosunmu-Ogunbi developed an interest in engineering at a young age. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign before pursuing graduate studies at the University of Michigan, where she obtained master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Robotics before completing her doctoral programme.
Her doctoral research focused on robotic locomotion, particularly the development of algorithms that enable bipedal robots to walk and climb stairs more efficiently. Her work contributes to advancements in robotics that could improve the design of robots used in manufacturing, disaster response, healthcare and other real-world applications.
Speaking during the commencement ceremony, Dosunmu-Ogunbi encouraged graduates to appreciate those who supported their academic journeys.
“I do not stand here on my own two feet alone. None of us got here by our individual merit 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.
According to the engineer, her ambition to earn a PhD began in childhood after learning that obtaining a doctoral degree was one of the highest academic achievements. That early inspiration motivated her to pursue engineering and eventually specialise in robotics.
Beyond her research, Dosunmu-Ogunbi is passionate about mentoring young people, promoting diversity in STEM and supporting underrepresented groups in engineering. She has participated in several outreach and leadership programmes aimed at encouraging more women and minority students to pursue careers in science and technology.
Education stakeholders have described her achievement as an inspiration to young Africans, particularly girls interested in STEM fields. They noted that her success demonstrates that with determination, mentorship and access to quality education, Nigerian students can attain global academic excellence and break barriers in emerging fields such as robotics and artificial intelligence.
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