Ogechi Vivian Nwadiaru Named UMass Amherst Doctoral Hooding Ceremony Speaker
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Ogechi Vivian Nwadiaru has been selected as this year's UMass Amherst Doctoral Hooding Ceremony Speaker, which will take place on Saturday, May 9, at 10am in the Mullins Center.
Nwadiaru, of Awo-Omamma, Imo State, Nigeria, is graduating with a doctorate in industrial engineering and operations research. Previously, she completed an International Climate Protection Fellowship funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, investigating Nigeria’s energy transition and the proliferation of fossil backup generators.
Nwadiaru’s doctoral studies focused on integrating equity and community values into energy system planning models and decision-making. She was awarded a Spaulding-Smith Fellowship from the UMass Graduate School, a National Science Foundation Research Traineeship from the Energy Transition Institute’s ELEVATE program, and an American Association of University Women Fellowship. In 2024, she was named to the Society of Women Engineers’ list of “Women Engineers You Should Know.”
Nwadiaru takes the most pride in her teaching and mentoring work, from leading a first-year seminar to designing a pre-college course through University Without Walls. Beyond campus, she has led numerous outreach activities at schools in western Massachusetts and founded a nonprofit in Nigeria that supports student engagement in STEM subjects.
Following Commencement, Nwadiaru plans to pursue professional opportunities in energy systems research and strategy, with a focus on equity and resilience. Her goal is to develop and apply data-driven, community-informed solutions that support an inclusive and sustainable energy transition in the United States and globally, while continuing to build initiatives that expand access to STEM and innovation.