Nigerian woman Dosunmu-Ogunbi becomes first black woman to earn PhD in Robotics Engineering from University of Michigan

A Nigerian woman, Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi, has become the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Robotics from the University of Michigan, marking a historic milestone for the institution.

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.

“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. The daughter of Nigerian immigrants 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 said.

“We each have a solemn duty to make positive contributions to the world. Well, my reasons for becoming an engineer were initially frivolous, but they eventually moved into something more meaningful. I want to have a positive impact on the world.”

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 also 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.

The Robotics Department said Dosunmu-Ogunbi is currently interviewing for faculty positions as she prepares for the next stage of her academic career.