Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi is a Nigerian-American roboticist, engineer, and educator, recognized as the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in Robotics from the University of Michigan in 2024. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2017, followed by Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Robotics from the University of Michigan in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
During her doctoral studies, Dosunmu-Ogunbi focused on enhancing bipedal robotic locomotion, particularly in stair-climbing applications. Her dissertation, titled “Ascending New Heights: Enhancing Bipedal Robotic Locomotion through Stair Climbing,” reflects her dedication to advancing this field. She has published several research papers, including:
- “Terrain-adaptive, ALIP-Based Bipedal Locomotion Controller via Model Predictive Control and Virtual Constraints” (2022).
- “Stair Climbing using the Angular Momentum Linear Inverted Pendulum Model and Model Predictive Control” (2023).
- “Demonstrating a Robust Walking Algorithm for Underactuated Bipedal Robots in Non-flat, Non-stationary Environments” (2024).
Beyond her research, Dosunmu-Ogunbi is committed to education and mentorship. She served as a Graduate Student Instructor at the University of Michigan and was actively involved in programs aimed at empowering underrepresented engineering students. In the 2024-2025 academic year, she was a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Starting in Fall 2025, she will join Ohio Northern University as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering.
Dosunmu-Ogunbi’s contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the MLK Spirit Award for Mentoring and Inspiration (2024), the Intersectional Advocacy Award (2024), and the Willie Hobbs Moore Achievement Award (2022). She is also a TEDx speaker, delivering talks such as “Breaking Bias, Building Bots: The Intersection between DEI and Robotics” at the University of Michigan.
Her dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, coupled with her pioneering work in robotics, positions Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi as an inspiring figure in engineering and education.
