Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi has three college degrees, including a Ph.D. in physics from Stanford University.
He is an astrophysicist, author, STEM educator, multi-patented inventor, science journalist, TV personality, science communicator and inspirational speaker.
More impressive is his life story: Oluseyi grew up in some of the roughest neighborhoods of America, learned to survive on the street and still taught himself Einstein’s theory of relativity from an old set of encyclopedias.
Presented with compelling options to quit at every turn, he persevered and is now a NASA astrophysicist and a global educator. He discusses this transformative period in his book, “Quantum Life: My Unlikely Journey from the Street to the Stars,” which has been optioned to be made into a movie.
On television, Oluseyi has been a featured astrophysics commentator on the Science Channel’s “How the Universe Works” and as a judge on the Netflix series, “Baking Impossible.” In 2017, while working at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., he led the public coverage of the solar eclipse. On Monday, April 8, he will report on the total solar eclipse on ABC’s Good Morning America.
Oluseyi to speak at TJC
On Thursday, April 4, Oluseyi will share his experiences and insight as the featured presenter for Tyler Junior College’s Powerful Voices speaker series on the TJC central campus.
During a midday session, he will speak to TJC students about overcoming adversity and pursuing dreams that might seem out of reach. Students in attendance will include participants in the TJC Promise and TRiO programs. Due to the generosity of underwriters, each student will receive a copy of Oluseyi’s book.
At 7 p.m. that evening, he will share his story and address a new focus on space travel, during a discussion in Hudnall Planetarium, located in the TJC Earth and Space Science Center,
Admission for the evening event is $20. Ticket proceeds will support future speakers that mutually benefit TJC students and the community. Tickets are available online at TJC.edu/PowerfulVoices or in the science center lobby before the event.
About the TJC Powerful Voices series
The TJC Powerful Voices speaker series welcomes a diverse range of world-renowned innovators, leaders and scholars.
As experts in their various fields, speakers will deliver lively, challenging and informative presentations on timely topics, bringing new perspectives and ideas to TJC and the community.
For more information, go to TJC.edu/PowerfulVoices.