Nigerian-born scholar Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi has made history as the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Robotics from the University of Michigan, a landmark achievement for the institution.

She reached the milestone during the College of Engineering's convocation ceremony, where she reflected on the people who played vital roles in her academic journey. Speaking to fellow graduates, Dosunmu-Ogunbi encouraged them to acknowledge the teachers, mentors, friends, family members, and role models who supported them along the way, emphasizing that success is never achieved alone.

The daughter of Nigerian immigrants also shared her vision for the future, saying she hopes to be remembered not only for breaking barriers but for using engineering to improve lives and contribute meaningfully to society.

She described a Michigan engineer as someone who combines technical excellence with intellectual curiosity, social responsibility, collaboration, and a commitment to building an inclusive community that serves the greater good. According to her, although her initial interest in engineering was driven by simple motivations, it eventually evolved into a desire to make a lasting positive impact on the world.

The University of Michigan's Robotics Department noted that her journey reflects the path of many doctoral students who begin without a clear destination but grow into accomplished researchers through determination and purpose.

Beyond her academic research, Dosunmu-Ogunbi was recognised for her leadership and service within the robotics community. She received the College of Engineering's Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Award for her mentorship and inspirational leadership and served as a Robotics outreach ambassador from 2021 to 2023.

Her accomplishments also include finishing as the runner-up in the College of Engineering's Three-Minute Thesis competition and earning induction into the Bouchet Society, which honours exceptional scholarship while advancing diversity in graduate education.

As she embarks on the next phase of her career, Dosunmu-Ogunbi is currently interviewing for faculty positions, with plans to continue contributing to robotics research and higher education.