Difference Makers
UM-Dearborn Difference Makers are at the forefront of their fields. They’re improving the lives of others and making an impact on campus and in our local communities.
Previous Education
Adetokunbo Ajao understands the impact technology can have in making communities stronger for the people that live in them and the environment it serves. And while his interest in engineering started at a young age, Ajao is just touching the surface.
After completing his master’s at UM-Dearborn, he decided to continue his engineering education. With a double major in computer and electrical engineering, the Ph.D. candidate is passionate about building environmentally sustainable technologies.
As recipient of a $25,000 grant from the 2016 Ford College Community Challenge (FC3), the Nigerian native had an opportunity to serve and spearhead a project in his home country. “With this grant, I was the student leader of the project under the supervision of Professor Wencong Su. I was able to work with 25 undergraduates to design and install a water purifier and UV solar systems in rural communities in Nigeria,” said Ajao. As his engineering acumen increased, so did his relationship with Ford. Two short years later, he became a Ford Community Impact Fellow.
With his hard work paying off, he was later awarded “Best Poster” at the IEEE SEM Humanitarian Technology Conference for his work with FC3.
“Ajao has a valuable combination of training and experience that has made him a particularly strong research student and that will carry over into his independent research and engineering career,” said Electrical and Computer Engineering Assistant Professor Wencong Su.
What’s in the future for Ajao? He plans to become a renewable energy expert — but not without reaching back to help high school students interested in engineering. “I am so passionate about teaching and mentoring in academia,” he said. As director of outreach and partnership for Green Age network, he gets to do just that — work with students on creating technologies to combat climate changes.
Through his dedication of providing engineering solutions and participating in high impact humanitarian work, he is always on stride to making and seeing the positive impact he wants to see in communities around the globe.
