When it comes to priorities, education is at the top of the list for electrical and computer engineering student Timi (Timilehin) Olofinyolemi. He came to the United States from Nigeria with his brother, also a student at Temple, to pursue his passion in engineering. Being far from home and his brother being the only immediate family member nearby, Olofinyolemi feels the pressure to succeed in his educational pursuits. Thanks to the Butz scholarship, education can continue to be his main focus.
The Butz scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate electrical engineering student with interest in either software development, AI development systems, health education software, or a similar field.
“The Butz scholarship takes a lot of pain away from financing my education...It defines my future. It shapes where I see myself in the future...It puts me in the room where I want to be.” explains Olofinyolemi on what the Butz scholarship means to him.
A transfer student planning to graduate as part of the plus one program in 2026, Olofinyolemi quickly got involved when he first arrived at Temple.
While he’s still exploring exactly which career path he wants to take, his broad involvement in student organizations, research and internships has given him a wide sample of the possibilities that await him after graduation.
Olofinyolemi is a member of NSBE (Nation Society of Black Engineers), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and Temple Robotics. In addition to student organizations, he has participated in research with College of Engineering faculty.
He currently works in Dr. Joseph Picone’s lab as part of a pathology grant, where the team is utilizing AI to detect breast cancer in pathology reports. Last year, Olofinyolemi served as a project manager, managing a group of biology students reviewing the pathology slides and meeting weekly to coordinate with his team and other groups, ensuring smooth communication throughout the project team. Now, he works on a quantum computing project, testing transformer experiments to train the machine. The research project with Picone allows him to combine his interest in engineering and biology.
In addition to research, Olofinyolemi has held internships with both Coded By and Siemens, building a mobile app to help small businesses with trash pick-ups and working on ultrasound probes, respectively.
Debating on going into industry or pursuing his PhD once he graduates, the Butz scholarship allows Olofinyolemi the flexibility to consider his career options. While a career in industry or a PhD are his main considerations, entrepreneurship is always in the back of his mind. With his brother currently attending the Fox School of Business, Olofinyolemi says the two are “always discussing” potential engineering business ventures they could work on together.
Overall, Olofinyolemi is grateful for the support of the Butz scholarship and is looking forward to achieving the educational goals he set for himself when first arriving at the College of Engineering.