Naomi envisions a career at the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and community impact — designing energy systems that are not only innovative but also equitable and transformative.

Naomi Uponi is currently pursuing a masters degree in energy systems and sustainability engineering at UM-Dearborn where her studies focus on designing clean, affordable, and sustainable energy systems that serve both people and the planet. Her passion lies in advancing energy equity and innovation, with a particular commitment to ensuring that sustainable energy solutions are accessible to underserved communities.

Beyond the classroom, Naomi brings her dedication to action through leadership in organizations that promote diversity in STEM. As an active member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), she has helped organize professional development workshops, supported the SWE POWER Conference, and co-hosted a campus-wide Design Day in collaboration with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). These experiences have reinforced her belief that amplifying underrepresented voices in engineering fosters not only equity but also innovation.

Naomi’s academic journey is marked by accomplishments that reflect both technical skill and social commitment. She led her university team to win first place in a regional competition addressing sustainable energy solutions, developing a chemical engineering–based approach. For Naomi, this work carried deep personal meaning, as it spoke to the challenges of electricity access in her home country of Nigeria and the potential of engineering to drive social change.

Naomi continues to advance this vision through hands-on projects such as developing a remote microgrid system and, most recently, serving as an Energy Efficiency Program Assistant on campus. She also recently began a co-op with DTE Energy’s Renewable Operations team, where she hopes to gain deeper industry experience, expand her technical expertise, and contribute to advancing clean energy solutions. Looking ahead, Naomi envisions a career at the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and community impact — designing energy systems that are not only innovative but also equitable and transformative.

CEW+ admires Naomi’s work in the field of sustainable energy and names her an Irma M. Wyman Scholar.