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It is often said that those bold enough to believe they can change the world are the ones who do—regardless of gender or background. Wendy Okolo, a 36-year-old Nigerian aerospace engineer, embodies this spirit.

At just 26, Okolo made history as the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in 2015. Today, she is an aerospace research engineer in the Intelligent Systems Division at NASA Ames Research Center, where she continues to break barriers in science and technology.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1989 and raised in Nigeria, Wendy Okolo attended Saint Mary’s Primary School and Queen’s College in Lagos. From an early age, she excelled academically, earning top grades throughout her schooling.

She pursued her bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering at UTA, graduating in 2010. As a student, she served as president of the Society of Women Engineers and later became the Special Emphasis Programs Manager for Women at Ames.

Reflecting on her academic journey, Okolo recalls:
"School came easily to me—I got A’s all through. But even before I knew what engineering was, my mom had already decided I would be an engineer. I told everyone I wanted to be one, even before I figured out which field. Eventually, I fell in love with aerospace engineering because it was simply fascinating."

Career and Achievements

Okolo’s professional journey began as an undergraduate intern at Lockheed Martin, where she contributed to NASA’s Orion spacecraft. During two summers, she worked in both systems engineering and mechanical engineering, gaining hands-on experience in aerospace technology.

As a graduate student, she worked in the Control Design and Analysis Branch at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Today, she serves as a sub-project manager in NASA Ames’ Intelligent Systems Division, working on advanced research in Discovery and Systems Health Technology (DaSH).

Awards and Recognition

Okolo’s groundbreaking work has earned her numerous prestigious awards, including:

• Amelia Earhart Fellowship
• National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship (2012)
• Texas Space Grant Consortium (TSGC) Fellowship (2012, 2013)
• AIAA John Leland Atwood Graduate Award (2013)
• NASA Ames Early Career Researcher Award (2019) – First woman to receive this honor
• NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal (2021)
• Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) – Most Promising Engineer in U.S. Government
• Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Award (2021)

In June 2023, she published her book, "Learn to Fly: On Becoming a Rocket Scientist," now available on Amazon.

Advocacy for Diversity in STEM

Beyond her technical contributions, Okolo is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM. She actively works to increase representation for women and people of color in science and engineering.

Her initiatives include:

• Establishing nursing rooms for mothers to support their return to work.
• Reviewing job descriptions to remove gendered language and encourage more female applicants.
• Speaking at global conferences and panels to inspire the next generation of minority STEM leaders.

A sought-after keynote speaker, Okolo continues to mentor, educate, and empower aspiring engineers worldwide, proving that the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning.