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The United States Embassy in Nigeria has celebrated Nigerian-American aerospace engineer Wendy Okolo for her remarkable contributions to space exploration and aviation research at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The recognition highlights her groundbreaking achievements and continued impact in the field of aerospace engineering.
In a statement shared on its official X platform, the embassy praised Okolo for breaking barriers and excelling in a highly competitive field.
She currently works at the NASA Ames Research Center, where she leads research focused on flight safety, aircraft monitoring systems and control optimisation. Her work contributes to improving aviation systems and enhancing safety measures in air travel and space missions.
Born in 1989 and raised in Nigeria, Okolo began her academic journey at Saint Mary’s Primary School before attending Queen’s College in Lagos.
Her early education laid the foundation for what would become an inspiring career in aerospace engineering.
She later moved to the United States to further her studies, earning a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2010.
In 2015, at just 26 years old, Okolo made history by becoming the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Her academic achievement was widely celebrated as a milestone for diversity and representation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Before joining NASA full-time, Okolo gained valuable experience as an undergraduate intern at Lockheed Martin, where she worked on NASA’s Orion spacecraft programme.
She also served in the Control Design and Analysis Branch of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, contributing to advanced aerospace research initiatives.
At NASA Ames, Okolo holds multiple leadership roles. She serves as a sub-project manager in the Intelligent Systems Division and works as a research engineer in the Discovery and Systems Health Technology programme.
Her research focuses on developing intelligent systems that enhance aircraft performance and ensure safer operations.
Over the years, Okolo has received numerous prestigious awards in recognition of her excellence. These include the Amelia Earhart Fellowship, the Department of Defense National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship, the AIAA John Leland Atwood Graduate Award and the NASA Ames Early Career Researcher Award.
In 2021, she was honoured with the NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal and was also named among the Most Influential People of African Descent.
Beyond her technical accomplishments, Okolo is passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. In June 2023, she published her book, Learn to Fly: On Becoming a Rocket Scientist, where she shares her journey and offers encouragement to young people aspiring to careers in STEM fields.
The US Embassy also noted that Nigerians remain one of the most highly educated immigrant groups in the United States, making significant contributions across science, medicine, technology and business. Wendy Okolo’s achievements stand as a powerful example of excellence, determination and the global impact of Nigerian talent.
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