OU Postdoc Student Receives International Fellowship

-

Temitope Olorunfemi,
The American Association of University Women awarded an international fellowship to computer science student Temitope Olorunfemi, PhD, who is pursuing her postdoctoral in natural and physical sciences at the University of Oklahoma.

The fellowship is awarded to individuals because of their outstanding academic work and community projects that empower women and girls. Olorunfemi’s work focuses on women and girls in the rural areas of Southwestern Nigeria. She hopes to create an automated dialogue system designed in their local language, Yoruba, to be used to self-diagnose cervical cancer. 

“Many women in rural Nigeria who speak the Yoruba language are very isolated due to poverty, physical distances, travel times, language and cultural barriers. If a smartphone app could be developed that would allow them to privately interact in their own native language, they could have a better idea of their risk for cervical cancer and could be encouraged and supported in seeking out appropriate healthcare,” said Olorunfemi, a native of Oyo State, Nigeria. 

In 2012, Olorunfemi joined Women in Technology, a non-government organization that helped rural women in Nigeria use computer systems. That experience helped launch her career in the field of computer sciences, a field she estimates has only 20 female professors in Nigeria with a population of over 206 million. 

Olorunfemi earned a master's degree and a PhD in computer science at Obafemi Awolowo University and a bachelor's in computer science from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, both in Nigeria. 

When it came to choosing a computer science PhD program, Olorunfemi says she chose OU because its research groups cover all aspects of artificial intelligence and focuses on machine learning and multi-agent systems. Her research is under the direction of Dean Hougen, PhD, associate director of the OU School of Computer Science.

AAUW is one of the world’s oldest leading supporters of graduate women’s education. Since 1888, it has awarded more than $115 million in fellowships, grants and awards to 13,000 women from 150 countries. For the 2021–22 academic year, AAUW has awarded a total of an unprecedented $5 million through its fellowships and grants programs to 260 scholars as well as to community projects and programs that promote education and equity for women and girls.

“We’re proud to support the work of these outstanding scholars,” said Gloria Blackwell, AAUW's executive vice president and chief programs officer. “This year’s recipients are making valuable contributions in a wide range of fields, but with a common goal of improving life for all of us. We’re impressed by what these scholars are doing and excited about the great things they’ll accomplish throughout their research and careers.”




Popular posts from this blog

OU Engineering Students Shine in Community Projects

-
Image
At the University of Oklahoma, a transformative course called Pathways to Engineering Thinking is leaving a mark on OU students and the community. In the first-year engineering course, over 800 students across 16 sections collaborated to tackle real-world challenges presented by community partners. Their projects ranged from developing prosthetic limbs for injured animals to creating innovative solutions for community gardens and zoos. The course aims to guide students through the engineering design process, emphasizing collaborative teamwork and problem-solving skills.  This semester’s projects reached many areas of the community. Partnerships with the OU Food Pantry, OU Community Garden, Oklahoma City Zoo, OU Engineering K-12 Outreach, a local dog rescue and the City of Norman provided students with real-world challenges to address. Each team delved into issues presented by the partners, working toward delivering functional design solutions by the semester’s end. The heart of the cou
Read more

OU Students Take on Habitat Challenge: Sooners Without Borders Constructs Ramp, More in Iowa

-
Image
In early January, six students from Sooners Without Borders at the University of Oklahoma headed to Des Moines, Iowa, teaming up with Habitat for Humanity. Their goal: construct an accessibility ramp for a local family. Their mission was part of Habitat’s Collegiate Challenge program, providing year-round volunteer opportunities for college students. The students, all from the Gallogly College of Engineering at OU, embraced the challenge. Formerly Engineers Without Borders, Sooners Without Borders had changed its name to be more inclusive of all majors at OU, says Lisa Morales, the group's staff adviser. “A lot of projects used to focus on clean water and students had the opportunity to travel abroad. Once Covid happened, we had to shift the focus of Sooner Without Borders,” Morales said.  In Des Moines, the project expanded beyond the ramp, involving tasks like installing kitchen cabinets and flooring for a new home. Morales says she was impressed with the student’s adeptness with
Read more

OU Engineering Welcomes 14 New Faculty Members for 2023-24

-
Image
OU Engineering has welcomed 14 new faculty members for the 2023-24 academic year. This marks a milestone in the college's growth journey, with faculty numbers increasing from just over 100 in 2017 to 175 in 2023. OU Engineering is committed to expanding its faculty ranks, aiming for over 200 faculty members by the 2025-26 academic year, says OU Engineering Dean John Klier. To achieve this goal, the college has initiated more than 20 faculty searches. The State of Oklahoma continues to acknowledge the need for more engineers. They recently responded to OU Engineering’s request for additional recurring funding. The funding will play a crucial role in offering undergraduate student tuition waivers, supporting graduate students and helping recruit new faculty and staff. These positions will be phased in over the next three years. "OU Engineering extends its gratitude for the ongoing support from the State of Oklahoma as it continues to address the growing demand for engineers,&quo
Read more