First Black Woman to Earn a PhD in Robotics
The University of Michigan College of Engineering marked a historic milestone at their Graduate Ceremony this Saturday, as Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi became the first Black woman to receive a PhD in Robotics from the institution.
Born to Nigerian immigrant parents, Dosunmu-Ogunbi has been a distinguished scholar throughout her academic journey. She entered the University of Michigan’s PhD program in mechanical engineering with a slew of accolades, including an MVP award from the University of Illinois’ Pi Tau Sigma chapter, a society that honors excellence in mechanical engineering.
During her keynote speech at the ceremony, Dosunmu-Ogunbi shared her inspirations and aspirations as an engineer, emphasizing the pride and responsibility of being a University of Michigan engineer.
Her groundbreaking PhD defense, titled “Enhancing Bipedal Robotic Locomotion through Stair Climbing,” was presented earlier this year on January 18. In her research, Dosunmu-Ogunbi explored a variation of the Angular Linear Inverted Pendulum model. She introduced an innovative approach combining virtual constraint-based control with a model predictive control algorithm to stabilize a robot’s stair-climbing gait, an advancement that does not rely solely on foot placement.
This achievement not only highlights Dosunmu-Ogunbi’s contributions to robotics but also sets a new precedent in the field, underscoring the University of Michigan Robotics Department’s commitment to diversity and innovation.
Source: University of Michigan Robotics Department, Linkedin
Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. (WAT), will explore the practical applications of artificial intelligence in academic research and library services. The agenda includes, but isn’t limited to, the following areas:
Long-Term Development Initiative: Managed by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, these scholarships are designed to foster international development.
