In 2017, Adeola Olubamiji etched her name in history as the first Black person to earn a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. But her journey to success was anything but easy.
A Childhood of Struggles and Big Dreams
Growing up in Ibadan as the youngest of five children, Olubamiji faced the harsh realities of poverty. She helped her mother sell pepper on the streets at just 10 years old, a routine that shaped her resilience.
“I had to toughen up,” she recalls. “My mother believed in hard work, and that mindset stayed with me.”
Despite financial struggles, education was her beacon of hope. She earned a Physics degree from Olabisi Onabanjo University, but she had bigger ambitions—ones that took her beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“I told my dad I wanted a PhD in Physics like my uncle. But I didn’t want to make bombs—I wanted to heal people. That’s how I discovered Biomedical Engineering, but no Nigerian university offered it, so I had to leave.”
Riding the Wave of Industry 4.0
As the world shifted towards automation and emerging technologies, Olubamiji saw an opportunity. She pivoted her PhD research to focus on 3D printing, a decision that would set her apart in the STEM field.
“I knew Industry 4.0 was the future,” she says. “So, I chose 3D printing just as it was taking off.”
Her expertise in advanced manufacturing and biomedical applications of 3D printing would go on to earn her global recognition.
Awards, Accolades, and Impact
From being named one of 150 Black Women Making Canada Better in 2017 to earning a spot among Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Life Sciences & Technology in 2020, Olubamiji’s impact in STEM has been profound.
Her contributions also led to recognition as a L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Honoree and one of 27 Influential Women in Manufacturing in the U.S.
Giving Back: Paving the Way for Black Youth in STEM
Success alone wasn’t enough for Olubamiji—she wanted to lift others along the way. She founded STEMHub Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing Black representation in STEM.
“People wanted young Black students to have someone like me to look up to,” she says.
What started as weekend STEM programs in Ontario soon expanded into mentorship initiatives, guiding university students on career paths and job market strategies.
Her mission is clear: “If they cannot see us, they cannot become us.” Through STEMHub, she’s ensuring the next generation of Black scientists, engineers, and innovators have the guidance and role models they need to thrive.
Olubamiji’s journey from hawking pepper in Nigeria to shaping the future of STEM on a global scale is proof that determination, vision, and resilience can rewrite destinies.
