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Meet 36-Year-old Okolo, First Black Woman To Earn PhD In Aerospace Engineering

Published

5 months ago

March 4, 2025

At just 36 years old, Wendy Okolo stands as a beacon of inspiration, shattering glass ceilings and redefining possibilities in aerospace engineering.

Her story is one of audacity, brilliance, and an unrelenting passion to change the world.

Wendy Okolo: A Trailblazer from the Start

Born in 1989 and raised in Nigeria, Okolo’s academic journey began at Saint Mary’s Primary School and Queen’s College in Lagos. From a young age, she excelled in her studies, earning straight A’s—a testament to her natural brilliance. But her path to engineering wasn’t initially self-directed. “My mom said I was going to become an engineer even before I knew what it was,” Okolo once recalled.

Though she declared her intention to become an engineer early on, it wasn’t until her first semester at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) that she discovered her true calling: aerospace engineering.

Soaring to New Heights at NASA

Okolo’s career trajectory has been nothing short of extraordinary. She began as an undergraduate intern at Lockheed Martin, working on NASA’s Orion spacecraft. During two transformative summers, she gained hands-on experience in Systems and Mechanical Engineering, setting the stage for her future in aerospace innovation.

As a graduate student, she contributed to the Control Design and Analysis Branch of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Today, she serves as a sub-project manager in the Intelligent Systems Division of NASA Ames Research Center, where she also conducts pioneering research in the Discovery and Systems Health Technology (DaSH) division.

A Woman of Many Firsts

Okolo’s groundbreaking work has earned her numerous prestigious accolades, cementing her place among the top minds in aerospace engineering. Some of her notable honors include: The Amelia Earhart Fellowship; The Department of Defense National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship (2012); The Texas Space Grant Consortium (TSGC) Fellowship (2012, 2013); The AIAA John Leland Atwood Graduate Award (2013);NASA Ames Early Career Researcher Award (2019) – the first woman to receive it; NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal (2021); Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) for the Most Promising Engineer in the U.S. government; Named among the Most Influential People of African Descent (2021) by the United Nations.

Beyond her accolades, Okolo made her literary debut in June 2023 with her book Learn to Fly: On Becoming a Rocket Scientist. The book offers a glimpse into her journey and aims to inspire the next generation of aerospace engineers.

Championing Diversity and Inclusion in STEM

Okolo’s impact extends far beyond her personal achievements. She is deeply committed to breaking barriers for women, people of color, and underrepresented groups in STEM.

Her initiatives include establishing nursing rooms for working mothers to ease their transition back to work and revamping job descriptions to eliminate gender-biased language, encouraging more women to apply for technical roles. A sought-after keynote speaker, she frequently shares her insights on STEM inclusion, mentorship, and leadership, empowering young girls and career women to pursue their dreams fearlessly.

Headline

26-year-old Nigerian Fatally Stabbed In London

Published

7 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Two individuals have been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 26-year-old Nigerian, Ayowale Aladejana, in New Cross, southeast London.

The Metropolitan Police reports that detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of Ayowale charged a man and woman with murder.

“Ben Wazabanga, 23 (24.10.2001) of Fairfax Road, Bedford was charged with murder and possession of a knife on Monday, 4 August. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 August.

“Ronique Belfon, 23 (10.05.2002) of Morinsbury Road, Bedford was charged with murder on Monday, 4 August. She was remanded to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 August,” the report read.

Speaking on the incident, Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, who is leading the investigation, was quoted as saying, “Our thoughts are with Ayowale’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“I understand this incident will be concerning and we are carrying out a fast-paced and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances. I would encourage anyone who has not yet spoken to us.”

The investigation was reportedly launched after officers were called to reports of a man with stab wounds at a residential address in Monson Road, New Cross, at 19:26hrs on Saturday, August 2.

The officers were said to have responded alongside the London Ambulance Service and medics from London’s Air Ambulance, however, Ayowale died at the scene despite efforts to save him.

The report added that a post-mortem examination conducted on Sunday gave a preliminary cause of death as stab wound to the chest.

Ayowale’s family are also reportedly being supported by specially trained officers.

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Trump Threatens 250% Tariffs On Foreign Pharmaceuticals

Published

7 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that upcoming tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals could reach 250 percent, after starting at a lower level, while adding he plans to also unveil fresh duties on foreign semiconductors.

“We’ll be putting (an) initially small tariff on pharmaceuticals, but in one year, one-and-a-half years, maximum, it’s going to go to 150 percent,” Trump said in an interview on CNBC.

“And then it’s going to go to 250 percent because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country,” he added.

In the same interview, Trump said he expects to raise the US tariff on Indian imports “very substantially over the next 24 hours” due to the country’s purchases of Russian oil.

While Trump has aimed at products from different countries with varying tariff rates after imposing a 10-percent levy on almost all trading partners in April, these have excluded certain products he planned to target separately.

These sector-specific tariffs have generally come after government investigations that look into the national security concerns surrounding certain imports.

After earlier embarking on probes on imported semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, the Trump administration has signaled plans to wrap up these studies, which could lead to new tariffs.

Already, Trump has slapped steep tariffs of 50 percent on imported steel and aluminum, and also rolled out a separate but lower duty on autos and parts.

AFP

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UK Opens Application For Chevening Scholarships

Published

11 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The United Kingdom on Tuesday announced that applications for its Chevening Scholarships are officially open, with prospective scholars encouraged to apply between August 5 and October 7, 2025.

The Chevening programme offers fully funded one-year master’s degrees at UK universities to individuals with demonstrated leadership potential and a strong commitment to driving positive change in their home countries and globally.

In a statement released by the British High Commission in Abuja, the Head of the Scholarships Unit at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Emma Hennessey, described the programme as highly competitive, selecting only the most outstanding candidates from across the world.

“Chevening’s highly competitive selection process ensures that those chosen to become Chevening Scholars or Fellows represent the brightest and most driven individuals from around the world.

“Chevening Alumni use their world-class education, global networks, and confidence gained in the UK to create meaningful, lasting change when they return home, whether by tackling global challenges or making a tangible impact in their own communities.

“If you can clearly demonstrate the skills needed to join them — outstanding leadership, influence, and networking skills — I strongly encourage you to apply.

“If you’re not quite there yet, I encourage you to take the time to build the experience that will make your application competitive,” Hennessey noted.

According to the statement, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, urged Nigerians with leadership potential to take advantage of the opportunity.

“Chevening is more than a scholarship — it is a gateway to a global network of leaders, innovators, and changemakers,” he said.

“Whether your aspirations lie in shaping public policy, launching a business, or addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, the Chevening Scholarship offers a unique opportunity to pursue a fully funded master’s degree in the United Kingdom to advance your knowledge and skills.

“While there is no ‘typical’ scholar, we seek individuals with the passion, ideas, and influence to drive meaningful change in Nigeria and beyond.

“Our alumni network includes dynamic professionals across diverse sectors who are making significant contributions in their fields.

“If you have the potential to lead positive change in your community, Nigeria, or globally, I encourage you to submit your application before the 7 October 2025 deadline.

“Apply today and take the first step toward this life-changing experience,” he said.

Applications must be submitted online via chevening.org/apply.

Interested applicants are also encouraged to review available guidance at chevening.org/guidance to determine their readiness for the competitive application process.

Since its launch in 1983, the Chevening programme has supported over 60,000 professionals from over 160 countries and territories.

The scholarship is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organisations.