We are thrilled to announce Oluwapemisola “Pemi” Ogunjimi, an undergraduate researcher in the College of Arts & Sciences, as the recipient of our inaugural Emerging Scholars Rising Researcher Award. This newly established honor, which includes a $500 scholarship, recognizes a student who exemplifies not only academic and technical aptitude but also the professional maturity, collaborative spirit, and vision necessary to shape the future of the research community.
In higher education, brilliant ideas are only the beginning. The true catalyst for breakthrough research is the discipline, communication, and self-management that turn inquiry into impact. In our search for the recipient of this award, we looked for a student who had both raw scientific potential and exemplary professional conduct. Ogunjimi has done exactly that.
Bridging Passion and Professionalism: Ogunjimi’s Work
Under the mentorship of Dr. Ivanka Simic Stanojevic in the School of Public Health, Ogunjimi has spent the last year diving deep into the project, “Investigating Sexual Health of Vulnerable Populations (Individuals with Disabilities, Women, LGBTQ+ Persons).” Her work focuses on understanding the sexual health experiences and needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and/or LGBTQ+ individuals, populations that frequently face systemic gaps in support, education, and healthcare access.
Beyond the deep empathy required for this field of study, Ogunjimi has excelled in the complex computational and technical aspects of qualitative research. She manages, transcribes, and analyzes sensitive interview data using advanced qualitative analysis software, NVivo. Ogunjimi has learned to navigate the rigorous research pipeline from raw audio recordings to organized, coded, and interpreted thematic data.
“Working with Pemi has been an absolute privilege,” says Dr. Simic Stanojevic. “She doesn’t just show up to do research; she takes complete ownership of her tasks. Her time-management skills are superior, and she consistently delivers high-quality work well ahead of deadlines. Pemi’s ability to approach sensitive qualitative interviews with both analytical rigor and profound human empathy elevate our entire team’s work.”
Looking ahead, Ogunjimi plans to continue her research trajectory far beyond this year’s program, with the long-term goal of pursuing graduate education and ultimately a Ph.D. This commitment is already being realized through her recent acceptance into the highly competitive Big Ten Summer Opportunities Research Program (SROP) at Northwestern University. This selective, Big Ten–wide program is specifically designed to prepare exceptional students for doctoral study. This summer, Ogunjimi will conduct research on the neurogenetics of epilepsy in Dr. Jennifer Kearney’s laboratory at the Feinberg School of Medicine, gaining advanced training in a brand-new research domain and institutional setting. We have no doubt that her commitment to elevating vulnerable populations and expanding her scientific horizons will continue to yield remarkable, lasting contributions.
About the Emerging Scholars Rising Researcher Award
The Emerging Scholars Rising Researcher Award was founded this year to recognize exceptional students who demonstrate significant potential as future leaders in the research community. Structured to support Emerging Scholars with a passion for discovery, the award values a balance of scientific inquiry and professional excellence.
In evaluating nominees, the selection committee prioritized candidates who consistently demonstrate the following core pillars:
- Professional Competencies: Strong verbal and written communication skills, outstanding responsiveness, and proactive engagement with mentors and peers.
- Self-Management: Superior initiative, effective time management, a strong sense of ownership over tasks, and a track record of meeting deadlines with high-quality deliverables.
- Engagement & Positivity: A constructive, positive attitude and genuine enthusiasm for the collaborative discovery process.
- Future Vision: A clear commitment to the field with an active intent to continue a research trajectory beyond the current program.
By celebrating these habits early in a student’s career, we aim to foster a research culture where professional discipline is championed right alongside academic curiosity.
Please join us in congratulating Pemi Ogunjimi on this well-deserved honor, and in wishing her the very best as she takes her next steps in her research journey!
For more information on the Emerging Scholars program or to learn how to nominate a student for next year’s cycle, please visit our website.