Few stories embody the power of perseverance as profoundly as that of Dr. Adeola “Addy” Olubamiji. Once a young girl selling pepper on the streets of Ibadan, Nigeria, she has risen to become one of the world’s leading voices in 3D printing and advanced manufacturing. Guided by the belief that “hardship is not the end of a dream; it is often the fire that shapes it,” Dr. Olubamiji has turned adversity into advantage, using every challenge as fuel for her ambition. Today, she stands as a pioneering engineer, speaker, and advocate for women in STEM—proving that resilience, when paired with purpose, can transform even the humblest beginnings into stories of global impact.
Adeola’s rise to prominence began with an unshakable conviction: where you start should never determine how far you can go. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Physics with Electronics from Olabisi Onabanjo University, she pursued a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at Tampere University of Technology in Finland. It was there that she first encountered the revolutionary world of 3D printing in medical research—an experience that ignited her passion for using technology to improve lives and advance human capability.
Her journey reached a historic milestone in Canada, where she became the first Black person to earn a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. Her groundbreaking research focused on using additive manufacturing to create patient-specific surgical implants, bridging the gap between technology and medicine. For Adeola, the long nights of research and experimentation were more than academic—they were a personal mission to prove that innovation knows no race, gender, or geography. Her story became a testament to what is possible when intellect meets perseverance.
Today, Dr. Olubamiji is a globally recognized additive manufacturing specialist and technology executive. She has held leadership positions in several major North American firms, including Desktop Metal, where she served as Director of Additive Manufacturing Solutions. Her influence extends beyond engineering labs into boardrooms and classrooms, where she continues to shape the global conversation on Industry 4.0, manufacturing innovation, and the future of technology.
Beyond her professional success lies a heart deeply committed to impact. Through her nonprofit organization, STEMHub Foundation, based in Canada, Dr. Olubamiji mentors and empowers young people—especially girls and minorities—to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Her foundation provides mentorship, technical training, and scholarships designed to close the gap in representation within STEM fields. For her, success is not measured by titles or accolades but by how many lives she helps lift along the way.
Her influence also thrives in the digital space, where she uses her platforms to share insights on personal growth, leadership, and navigating professional life as a woman in STEM. With her signature authenticity, she reminds her audience that every setback can be a setup for greater achievement. Her online presence has become both a source of motivation and a mentorship hub, connecting thousands of young people across continents with a living example of what determination can accomplish.
What makes Dr. Olubamiji’s story remarkable is not only her professional excellence but also her humanity. She remains grounded in her Nigerian roots and openly shares her journey to remind others that greatness often emerges from struggle. Her message is clear: representation matters. By living her truth and excelling in a field where few who look like her have gone before, she has become a mirror of possibility for countless others. From the bustling streets of Ibadan to the forefront of global technology, Dr. Adeola Olubamiji has proven that passion, persistence, and purpose can indeed reshape destiny—and light the way for generations to come.
