Born in Ibadan, Nigeria in 1985, Dr. Adeola Olubamiji grew up in a family facing deep financial hardship. By the age of 10, she was selling pepper on the street to support her parents and siblings. Yet even then, she was focused on a vision far beyond her circumstances.
“When I was nine years old… I actually meant it,” she later reflected. “One day I told my father I would just get my PhD and he would put my picture up on his wall.”
— University of Saskatchewan news
Her academic drive took her from local schools in Ibadan to a physics degree in Nigeria, then to Finland for a master’s in materials science. Eventually, she completed her PhD at the University of Saskatchewan.
Making University History
In 2017, Olubamiji became the first Black person to earn a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. Her doctoral research focused on 3D-printed cartilage and non-invasive imaging techniques, cutting-edge work with future-facing implications.
“Once you understand 3D printing foundations, you can apply them across industries,” she noted in a university interview.
Leading High-Stakes Innovation
After completing her PhD, Olubamiji entered industry as a lead metallurgist and materials engineer at Burloak Technologies. She then became the first additive manufacturing specialist at Cummins Inc., where she developed the company’s roadmap for laser-printed 316L stainless steel and guided its industrial adoption.
Today, she serves as Director of Additive Manufacturing Solutions at Desktop Metal, a global 3D printing leader. In this role, she bridges deep technical research with large-scale manufacturing impact.
Building Access Through STEMHub
Olubamiji’s story went viral in 2017. She used the momentum to launch STEMHub Foundation, a nonprofit focused on empowering Black and underserved youth in STEM across Canada and Nigeria.
“People were reaching out and wanting more representation of Black people in STEM,” she shared.
Since launch, STEMHub has reached more than 5,000 young people through mentorship, university prep, and hands-on STEM workshops.
Recognition and Leadership
Her work has earned widespread recognition. She was named one of CBC’s Top 150 Black Women Making Canada Better, honoured as a L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth, and awarded a STEP Ahead Award by the Manufacturing Institute. In 2020, she was also listed among Canada’s Most Powerful Women.
Yet her influence goes beyond awards. As a speaker, advisor, and community builder, she continues to shape tech policy and push for equitable access to opportunity.
Why Her Story Matters
Olubamiji’s journey, from Ibadan street hawker to global manufacturing leader, is both rare and deeply instructive. It shows what becomes possible when resilience meets access, and when visibility becomes a tool for broader ecosystem change.
Her work bridges high-tech innovation with grassroots advocacy. For Canada’s next generation of Black technologists, she is more than a role model. She is a living blueprint.
