OLUWATIMILEHIN
OLUWAJIRE
Graduate Research Assistant, North Carolina State University
RALEIGH, NC
HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME
INVOLVED IN NDT?
My NDT career began through research.
I came to North Carolina State University
as a grad student and met with my current
advisor. His research is not completely NDT,
but there is an aspect of it that has to do with
developing a novel technique for detecting
damage in polymer composites. After joining
him, I took on that particular research area, so
that’s how I got into NDT.
WHAT DOES YOUR CURRENT
RESEARCH FOCUS ON?
I’m working on a technique called
near-infrared spectroscopy. It’s an alterna-
tive technique that is still in development at
the research phase, so we’re still trying to
understand the fundamental science for the
technique so that it can be used to detect
and monitor damage, especially at the early
stage, in polymer composites. There’s a
variety of applications for composite mate-
rials, particularly safety-critical applications—
ranging from wind turbine blades to marine
structures, and of course, aerospace.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET
INVOLVED WITH ASNT?
When I first started in grad school, there was
a PhD student who I met through a senior
friend, and it is through him that I also met
my advisor, so he became a mentor for me
throughout the PhD program. He mentioned
this thing called the ASNT RISE [Leadership
Development] Program. I just checked it out,
applied, and was accepted into the 2023–
2024 cohort.
Having the opportunity to get involved,
particularly with NDT professionals, I think
goes a long way. It takes me out of that
bubble of research to hear the perspective
of NDT professionals—people who are in
the field—and learn what they are doing and
their challenges. When I attended my first
ASNT conference and saw the whole display
of different equipment, manufacturers, and
techniques, it helped me to think a lot more
deeply about my research and how it can be
applied beyond the theoretical explanation
of what we’re doing.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST
CHALLENGE IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
I think one of the challenges is gaining
experience in the practical applications of
NDT research, like in aerospace. There are
restrictions when it comes to opportunities,
particularly as an international student. So,
just navigating how to transition into a full-
time career after my studies—that’s been
something that we have been thinking more
about.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE?
I have one that has stuck with me, from way
back in my undergrad days: “Whether you
think you can or you cannot, either way,
you’re right.”
SCOPE
|
ATWORK
98
M AT E R I A L S E V A L U AT I O N • A U G U S T 2 0 2 5
OLUWAJIRE
Graduate Research Assistant, North Carolina State University
RALEIGH, NC
HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME
INVOLVED IN NDT?
My NDT career began through research.
I came to North Carolina State University
as a grad student and met with my current
advisor. His research is not completely NDT,
but there is an aspect of it that has to do with
developing a novel technique for detecting
damage in polymer composites. After joining
him, I took on that particular research area, so
that’s how I got into NDT.
WHAT DOES YOUR CURRENT
RESEARCH FOCUS ON?
I’m working on a technique called
near-infrared spectroscopy. It’s an alterna-
tive technique that is still in development at
the research phase, so we’re still trying to
understand the fundamental science for the
technique so that it can be used to detect
and monitor damage, especially at the early
stage, in polymer composites. There’s a
variety of applications for composite mate-
rials, particularly safety-critical applications—
ranging from wind turbine blades to marine
structures, and of course, aerospace.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET
INVOLVED WITH ASNT?
When I first started in grad school, there was
a PhD student who I met through a senior
friend, and it is through him that I also met
my advisor, so he became a mentor for me
throughout the PhD program. He mentioned
this thing called the ASNT RISE [Leadership
Development] Program. I just checked it out,
applied, and was accepted into the 2023–
2024 cohort.
Having the opportunity to get involved,
particularly with NDT professionals, I think
goes a long way. It takes me out of that
bubble of research to hear the perspective
of NDT professionals—people who are in
the field—and learn what they are doing and
their challenges. When I attended my first
ASNT conference and saw the whole display
of different equipment, manufacturers, and
techniques, it helped me to think a lot more
deeply about my research and how it can be
applied beyond the theoretical explanation
of what we’re doing.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST
CHALLENGE IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
I think one of the challenges is gaining
experience in the practical applications of
NDT research, like in aerospace. There are
restrictions when it comes to opportunities,
particularly as an international student. So,
just navigating how to transition into a full-
time career after my studies—that’s been
something that we have been thinking more
about.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE?
I have one that has stuck with me, from way
back in my undergrad days: “Whether you
think you can or you cannot, either way,
you’re right.”
SCOPE
|
ATWORK
98
M AT E R I A L S E V A L U AT I O N • A U G U S T 2 0 2 5
