Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi, a Nigerian-American academic, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Robotics from the University of Michigan.

During the university’s College of Engineering commencement ceremony, Dosunmu-Ogunbi addressed her fellow graduates, attributing her milestone to the collective support of family, teachers, mentors, and role models rather than individual effort alone.

She reflected on her evolution as an engineer, noting that while her interest in the field started casually, it grew into a passion to create technology that makes a positive difference in society.

She emphasized that a true Michigan engineer combines technical expertise with social responsibility, curiosity, and a drive to solve community issues.

The University of Michigan’s Robotics Department highlighted Dosunmu-Ogunbi’s active involvement and leadership beyond her research.

During her time at the university, she served as a robotics outreach ambassador for three consecutive years (2021–2023), earned the MLK Spirit Award for mentorship, finished as a runner-up in the Three-Minute Thesis competition, and was inducted into the Bouchet Society.

Having completed her doctoral studies, Dosunmu-Ogunbi is currently interviewing for faculty positions as she prepares to transition into the next phase of her academic career.