A milestone achievement has been reached by Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi, who has become the inaugural black woman to earn a PhD in Robotics from the University of Michigan in the United States. During her address at the College of Engineering convocation, Dosunmu-Ogunbi, hailing from Nigerian immigrant parents, expressed gratitude for the support that facilitated her journey to realization. She emphasized the collective effort behind her success, acknowledging the roles played by teachers, friends, family, mentors, and role models in making this moment possible.
Dosunmu-Ogunbi expressed her aspiration to be remembered as the first black woman to obtain a PhD in Robotics from the University of Michigan and highlighted her intention to utilize her engineering expertise for the betterment of society. She articulated the essence of a Michigan Engineer as someone who not only excels in scientific and technological realms but also demonstrates intellectual curiosity, social consciousness, and a commitment to fostering inclusive and innovative solutions for societal challenges.
Dosunmu-Ogunbi stressed the imperative of societal impact, tracing her journey from superficial engineering motives to a profound commitment to meaningful change. Her trajectory, common among PhD students, lacked a clear endpoint initially, detailed on the University of Michigan Robotics Department website.
Recognized for her community-building, she received the MLK Spirit Award for mentoring and served as an outreach ambassador for three years. Additionally, she was a runner-up in the College of Engineering’s three–minute thesis competition and a member of the Bouchet Society, promoting academic excellence and diversity. Currently, she actively pursues faculty positions, per Robotics Department disclosures.
