Bright Ojo, a graduate student in the Master of Science in Operations Management program at the U of A, has been recognized for outstanding academic and research contributions to the fields of supply chain resilience and national infrastructure security.

Ojo's academic journey was shaped by his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he witnessed firsthand how fragile logistics systems disrupted critical infrastructure projects in Nigeria. Determined to build more resilient systems, he enrolled at the U of A, where he also completed a graduate certificate in Homeland Security.

His work stood out in OMGT 5623: Strategic Management (Service Learning) under the instruction of Phil Jones, assistant director of the M.S.O.M./M.S.E.M. programs. In a high-impact assignment analyzing the Walmart-Amazon rivalry, Ojo's analysis earned special commendation. Jones described the submission as "very good" and requested permission to share it with Lindsay Raboicoff, director of strategy for Walmart U.S., citing her interest in student insights. On the course's final exam, Jones praised Ojo's performance as "excellent," noting, "You are an excellent learner, and I am sure good things are ahead for you."

Ojo has also authored several research publications focusing on disaster-proof supply chains, AI-driven logistics systems and blockchain-based infrastructure security. He has served as a judge for national STEM competitions, including eCYBERMISSION and the GLOBE International Virtual Science Symposium, helping young researchers shape solutions to real-world challenges.

"I'm grateful to the faculty and leadership here who've challenged and supported me," Ojo said. "My experience at the University of Arkansas has prepared me to lead change in operations, logistics and emergency infrastructure."

Ojo plans to further his work in systems design that aligns with national priorities in public health preparedness, disaster mitigation and digital infrastructure protection.

"In a world defined by uncertainty," he said, "resilient systems are our best defense."