Portrait of Wami Ogunbi

Photo Credit: Brenda Ahearn Photography

About Me

I am the first Black woman to get a PhD in Robotics at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. I am currently a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

My research focus is in controls with applications in bipedal locomotion and engineering education.

Navigating academia as a person at the intersection of numerous visible and invisible identities, I have faced many challenges, including being expelled from my first PhD program. However, with the unwavering support of mentors, I overcome systemic barriers and made history. I am committed to paving the way for future generations, demonstrating that while I may be the first, I certainly won't be the last! In my dissertation titled "Ascending New Heights: Enhancing Bipedal Robotic Locomotion through Stair Climbing," I wrote the following dedication to affirm my vision: "For all the little Black girls who were told that they could not climb…let them witness your ascension."

Education

  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor

    PhD, Robotics (2024)

  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor

    MS, Robotics (2021)

  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor

    MSE, Mechanical Engineering (2020)

  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    BS, Mechanical Engineering with honors, Hoeft Technology and Management minor (2017)

News!

I am giving a keynote at the forum on Robotics in Africa at 2025 IEEE International Conference on Robotics & Automation (ICRA) in Atlanta Georgia on May 21!

I am giving a keynote at the forum on Robotics in Africa at 2025 IEEE International Conference on Robotics & Automation (ICRA) in Atlanta Georgia on May 21!

I gave a talk entitled "Breaking Bias, Building Bots: The Intersection between DEI and Robotics" at Saturday Morning Physics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Click on the image to watch the recording of the talk.

I gave a talk entitled "Breaking Bias, Building Bots: The Intersection between DEI and Robotics" at Saturday Morning Physics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Click on the image to watch the recording of the talk.

I attended the CRA-E SIGCSE 2025 Teaching-Track Faculty Workshop in Pittsburgh on February 26, 2025!

I attended the CRA-E SIGCSE 2025 Teaching-Track Faculty Workshop in Pittsburgh on February 26, 2025!

I have accepted a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Ohio Northern University, starting Fall 2025

I have accepted a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Ohio Northern University, starting Fall 2025

I was selected for the Trailblazer Award from the Nigerian Professional Group.

I was selected for the Trailblazer Award from the Nigerian Professional Group.

I spoke at TEDxDetroit on September 18, 2024

I spoke at TEDxDetroit on September 18, 2024

I have been named a Robotics Outreach Ambassador of 2024

I have been named a Robotics Outreach Ambassador of 2024

I will be speaking at TEDxDetroit on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at Wayne State University Fieldhouse!

I will be speaking at TEDxDetroit on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at Wayne State University Fieldhouse!

I'm thrilled to share that our paper, "Demonstrating a Robust Walking Algorithm for Underactuated Bipedal Robots in Non-flat, Non-stationary Environments," has been accepted for presentation at the 2024 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligen

I'm thrilled to share that our paper, "Demonstrating a Robust Walking Algorithm for Underactuated Bipedal Robots in Non-flat, Non-stationary Environments," has been accepted for presentation at the 2024 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2024)! I look forward to presenting our work this October in Abu Dhabi.

I accepted a Visiting Faculty position in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for the 2024-2025 academic year!

I accepted a Visiting Faculty position in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for the 2024-2025 academic year!

I spoke at the University-wide Commencement Ceremony at the University of Michigan on May 4, 2024 as a student speaker. I received a standing ovation from an audience of over 70,000 in the largest stadium in North America, second largest in the world

I spoke at the University-wide Commencement Ceremony at the University of Michigan on May 4, 2024 as a student speaker. I received a standing ovation from an audience of over 70,000 in the largest stadium in North America, second largest in the world.

I spoke at the Black Celebratory at the University of Michigan on May 4, 2024 as the graduate student speaker.

I spoke at the Black Celebratory at the University of Michigan on May 4, 2024 as the graduate student speaker.

I spoke at the College of Engineering Graduate Student Commencement at the University of Michigan on May 1, 2024 as the student speaker. Image courtesy of Brenda Ahearn.

I spoke at the College of Engineering Graduate Student Commencement at the University of Michigan on May 1, 2024 as the student speaker. Image courtesy of Brenda Ahearn.

I presented a poster at the Midwestern Robotics Workshop in Chicago on April 18, 2024.

I presented a poster at the Midwestern Robotics Workshop in Chicago on April 18, 2024.

I presented my research at the Yale Bouchet Conference on Diversity and Graduate Education on April 6, 2024.

I presented my research at the Yale Bouchet Conference on Diversity and Graduate Education on April 6, 2024.

I won Engineering Innovation Runner-Up for the Three-Minute Thesis Competition, which included a $3000 prize

I won Engineering Innovation Runner-Up for the Three-Minute Thesis Competition, which included a $3000 prize

I was hooded by my doctoral advisor, Jessy Grizzle, on May 3, 2024.

I was hooded by my doctoral advisor, Jessy Grizzle, on May 3, 2024.

I had an incredible graduation photoshoot courtesy of the incredibly talented photographer, Brenda Ahearn!

I had an incredible graduation photoshoot courtesy of the incredibly talented photographer, Brenda Ahearn!

I was awarded the Intersectional Advocacy Award in recognition for my dedication to honoring and advocating for the intersectional nature of students' many identities through involvement and activities.

I was awarded the Intersectional Advocacy Award in recognition for my dedication to honoring and advocating for the intersectional nature of students' many identities through involvement and activities.

I was officially inducted into the Bouchet Graduate Honor Society at Yale University on April 6, 2024.

I was officially inducted into the Bouchet Graduate Honor Society at Yale University on April 6, 2024.

I defended my PhD dissertation on January 18, 2024!

I defended my PhD dissertation on January 18, 2024!

I had the opportunity to inspire a group of high school girls from "Girls Who Code" by telling them about my PhD journey.

I had the opportunity to inspire a group of high school girls from "Girls Who Code" by telling them about my PhD journey.

I presented my research at IROS 2023 in Detroit.

I presented my research at IROS 2023 in Detroit.

I participated in iTrek 2023 where I spent 10 days in Israel learning about its start-up and tech scene.

I participated in iTrek 2023 where I spent 10 days in Israel learning about its start-up and tech scene.

I presented my work for the Microsoft Future Leaders in Robotics and AI: Celebrating Diversity and Innovation Seminar Series on Friday, March 15, 2024.

I presented my work for the Microsoft Future Leaders in Robotics and AI: Celebrating Diversity and Innovation Seminar Series on Friday, March 15, 2024.

I was selected for an MLK Spirit Award on Mentoring and Inspiration.

I was selected for an MLK Spirit Award on Mentoring and Inspiration.

I attended NextProf Nexus 2023 at Georgia Tech.

I attended NextProf Nexus 2023 at Georgia Tech.

I attended the National Society of Black Engineers 50th annual convention in Atlanta Georgia on March 20-23rd 2024.

I attended the National Society of Black Engineers 50th annual convention in Atlanta Georgia on March 20-23rd 2024.

I represented Michigan Robotics at the Robotic and Intelligent Systems Expo (RISE) at Purdue University on March 30, 2024.

I represented Michigan Robotics at the Robotic and Intelligent Systems Expo (RISE) at Purdue University on March 30, 2024.