AWWA Virtual Summit: Scientist and educator to share insights into resiliency
Decades ago, a fascination with science and space propelled Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi from humble beginnings in poor, rural communities to his career as a world-renowned astrophysicist, researcher, inventor, science educator and commentator.
Oluseyi’s story of perseverance will be highlighted in the opening general session of the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) inaugural Virtual Summit, taking place Sept. 23-24.
An internationally-recognized TED speaker and activist, Oluseyi will present on “The Stars in My Soul: My Unlikely Journey Through Space & Time.” He’ll draw on his experiences finding opportunities amid the challenges posed by being poor, from a broken home, and forced to move regularly from one low-income community to the next in New Orleans, Los Angeles and Houston.
Science opening doors
As the perennial new kid, he was often challenged by others in the neighborhood, so he preferred to stay indoors, reading, watching public television nature shows and developing a love of science and space inspired by Albert Einstein.
“There’s a connection between time and space and resiliency,” said Oluseyi, who most recently held the positions of Space Science Education Lead at NASA and affiliate professor at George Mason University. He has spent the past year working on a soon-to-be published memoir and movie script about his experiences.
Today, the water community is navigating and adapting through the daily challenges of a global pandemic, continuing to find ways to deliver safe and uninterrupted services.
“Situations are always changing, galaxies are evolving, and adaptation is paramount to resiliency,” he added. “Right now, we’re in a challenge, and we can adapt, make it through it even better, and move forward.”
Oluseyi found his footing at the age of 13 when he and his mother settled in rural Mississippi with his extended family. He completed middle school and high school in the East Jasper School District, winning first prize in physics at the state science fair for developing a computer program that did relativity calculations. After graduating as valedictorian, he served in the U.S. Navy, where he had his first exposure to algebra and calculus and decided to pursue a career in physics.
Following his honorable discharge in 1986, Oluseyi enrolled at Tougaloo College, a small, historically black college in Mississippi. While earning Bachelor of Science degrees in physics and mathematics, he volunteered with a mentoring program at a nearby school.
“Communities that don’t have a history of educational attainment are ones where you want to extend that hand and encourage people,” he said. “When neither of your parents graduated from high school, you have no idea what careers exist or how to get there. The story you live is based on your knowledge of the stories that exist.”
Researching, educating, inspiring
His world expanded again when he headed to California to attend graduate school at Stanford University. He was fortunate to meet the late solar physicist Arthur B.C. Walker Jr., who mentored him in experimental space research -- even though Oluseyi needed to take additional undergraduate courses to catch up academically to his classmates. He went on to earn master’s and doctorate degrees in physics.
“Due to luck, hustle and hope, I was able to get to the next level,” he said. “In my case, people showed up magically and the gatekeepers let me in. I had the attitude to get it done and deal with the difficulties and feelings about going through it.
Since then, Oluseyi has amassed an inspirational list of accomplishments, including:
- Helping design, build, calibrate and launch the Multi-Spectral Solar Telescope Array
- Researching manufacturing computer chips, earning 12 patents
- Serving as Professor of Physics & Space Sciences at the Florida Institute of Technology
- Conducting research on the transfer of mass and energy through the sun’s atmosphere; development of space-borne observatories for studying astrophysical plasmas and dark energy; development of transformative technologies in ultraviolet optics, detectors, computer chips and ion propulsion
- Publishing in more than 60 scholarly journals in the areas of astrophysics, optics and detector technologies, nanotechnology manufacturing, cosmology and astronomy
- Appearing as a commentator and scientific authority with the Science Channel, Discovery Channel and National Geographic television shows
- Contributing his voice and scientific expertise to an award-winning science education video game and co-authoring a children’s science book
In addition, Oluseyi is passionate about sharing his love of astronomy with young students around the world. While visiting more than 40 countries, he helped form the African Astronomical Society and the One Telescope Project, an initiative to supply every nation with at least one research-grade telescope.
-
Most popular related searches
Customer comments
No comments were found for AWWA Virtual Summit: Scientist and educator to share insights into resiliency. Be the first to comment!