Wendy Okolo: Trailblazing Nigerian Aerospace Engineer Making History at NASA

Wendy Okolo, a trailblazing Nigerian aerospace engineer and the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, is now making history at NASA while inspiring a new generation to soar in STEM.

Wendy Okolo, a 36-year-old Nigerian, has made her mark as a pioneer in aerospace engineering. In 2015, at just 26 years old, she became the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. Today, she works as an aerospace research engineer in the Intelligent Systems Division at NASA.

Born in 1989 and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Okolo attended Saint Mary’s Primary School and Queen’s College before moving to the U.S., where she completed both her bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Okolo’s passion for engineering started early, encouraged by her mother. Initially unsure of which field to specialize in, she eventually fell in love with aerospace engineering due to its fascinating challenges and innovations.

Her career began with internships at Lockheed Martin, where she worked on NASA’s Orion spacecraft, followed by roles with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. Now at NASA Ames, Okolo leads projects in the Intelligent Systems Division and contributes as a research engineer on advanced aerospace technologies.

Throughout her career, Okolo has earned numerous prestigious awards, including the Amelia Earhart Fellowship, the NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal, and the Black Engineer of the Year Award. In 2019, she became the first woman to receive the NASA Ames Early Career Researcher Award.

In addition to her technical achievements, Okolo is dedicated to increasing representation in STEM fields. She advocates for young girls, women, and people of color in science and engineering, working on initiatives like creating supportive spaces for working mothers and removing gender bias in job descriptions.

In June 2023, Okolo published her book, Learn to Fly: On Becoming a Rocket Scientist, sharing her journey and inspiring others to pursue their dreams. As a frequent keynote speaker and mentor, she continues to support and inspire the next generation of diverse STEM leaders.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, BUSINESS NIGERIA