STEPS4GROWTH- From Nigeria to Finland to North Carolina, Bolhji Ayeymi has been following a path shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a drive to create solutions for the future of clean energy. Now a Ph.D. student in the Department of Computational Data Science and Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University, [Name] is working under Dr. Jamad Kulkarni on projects that explore renewable energy in relation to transportation.
“That’s the way to go,” he explained. “Most governments are shifting away from hydrocarbons, which cause so many problems for our environment. When you look at global warming and flooding trends, the need for renewable solutions is urgent. That’s what gave me the courage and interest to move into this area.”
The journey to A&T was shaped by global experiences. After completing a master’s degree in Finland, Ayeymi was eager to continue research in the United States. “I had always wanted to come to the U.S. because of the vast research opportunities. When I discovered A&T, it was actually the first time I heard about HBCUs. I looked it up and learned it meant Historically Black Colleges and Universities. That gave me a vibe—people of the same color, people I could relate to. I was glad when I was admitted.”
Coming from Nigeria to Finland had been a big adjustment, but being at A&T felt different. “I’ve met so many international students—people from Nigeria, Ghana, Guyana. It’s made me feel at home and relaxed,” Ayeymi shared.
Mentorship has been another source of encouragement. Ayaymi’s advisor is always ready to help, but never with pressure. “He encourages us to work at our own pace, and that has been fantastic.”
For Ayeymi, being at A&T is about more than just completing research projects. It’s about being part of a community committed to solving real-world problems and advancing the future of clean energy. “We’re just improving the current work now, but along the way, we might actually discover something new. That’s the exciting part of being in this field.”
