Nigerian lady makes history in Catastrophe Modeling: A brilliant Nigerian lady, Urinrin Otite, has made history as the first-ever graduate of the Master of Science in Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience program at Lehigh University, Pennsylvania.
This prestigious program, approved in 2023, is part of Lehigh’s Center for Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience—a cutting-edge research hub established in 2021.
The center is dedicated to advancing education and research in predicting and mitigating the impact of natural disasters, epidemics, and social crises across the United States.
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Urinrin Otite successfully earned her master’s degree after completing the rigorous 30-credit program with an impressive Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.83 out of 4.0.
Urinrin’s journey to academic excellence started at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where she graduated with a first-class degree in Civil Engineering.
Urinrin Otite graduated with an impressive CGPA of 4.73 on a 5.0 scale, earning the prestigious title of Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Engineering (Class of 2012).
In 2018, her academic excellence earned her a spot in the Education USA Opportunity Funds Program (OFP)—a U.S. Consulate initiative in Lagos that supports exceptional Nigerian students in securing fully funded graduate education in the United States.
Through this program, she has received multiple admissions to prestigious universities, including Stanford University, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Alabama, Johns Hopkins University, and Lehigh University.
Urinrin chose Lehigh University, where she is currently a fourth-year PhD student in Civil Engineering. Reflecting on her groundbreaking achievement, she described it as a milestone she will cherish throughout her career.
“I feel incredibly proud and inspired. Being the first person at my university—and possibly in the entire United States—to receive this degree is an achievement I’ll treasure forever,” Urinrin Otite shared.
She highlighted the importance of her field, stating, “Learning how to model and manage risks related to natural disasters is a skill that few civil engineers possess, and it’s exciting to be one of them.”
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Urinrin Otite credits her academic success to her PhD advisor, Professor Paolo Bocchini, who also serves as the Director of the Center for Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience.
“Despite wearing multiple leadership hats – director, professor, and key researcher – he consistently finds time to mentor each of his students, ensuring we reach our full potential,” Urinrin expresses.
As she advances in her PhD research on resilient energy infrastructure, Otite is eager to apply her expertise in Catastrophe Modeling to help strengthen communities and reduce the impact of natural disasters.
Urinrin Otite expressed deep gratitude to her advisor, the Catastrophe Modeling Center, her professors, and her friends and supporters. Looking ahead, she is excited to see how the field continues to evolve and contribute to global resilience efforts.
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