Pursuing a doctoral degree is one of the most challenging endeavors for any student. Beyond the academic rigor it demands, it’s often also a journey that tests one’s dedication and resolve. Ayo Adeniran persevered through many challenges — moving to a new country, work responsibilities that demanded frequent international travel and separations from his family — to earn his doctorate in modeling and simulation under the guidance of Professor David Mohaisen this year.
“My long-term goals of advancing my career, setting a positive example for my children and fulfilling my aspirations of making a significant impact in my field kept me focused and determined,” he says. “The unwavering support from my family, friends and church provided much-needed emotional strength and encouragement.”
Adeniran began his road to a Ph.D. with one of the biggest sacrifices a father can make – moving away from his wife and child. In 2010, a week after his first daughter was born, Adeniran left his home in Lagos, Nigeria, to pursue a master’s degree in engineering and systems management. the U.S. He saw his family just once a year over the next three years before they were able to move to the states.
“The opportunity to study in the U.S. provided access to advanced academic resources, cutting-edge research facilities, and a diverse learning environment,” Adeniran says. “Additionally, pursuing this degree abroad allowed me to gain a global perspective on engineering systems management, which I believed
would enhance my professional growth and open doors to new opportunities in the field.”
After earning his master’s degree in engineering systems management in 2011, Adeniran began working toward a Ph.D. As an engineer for Ericsson, his job often took him abroad to Europe and the Caribbean for weeks and months at time. He was able to work through portions of his degree online, but began missing assignments and exams. The demands of his traveling schedule soon took its toll, and he made the decision to put his academic aspirations on hold.
It would be years until Adeniran would be able to continue what he’d started.
When his career led to a systems engineer role at Walt Disney World in the Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products division, a position that required no travel, Adeniran entertained the possibility of pursuing his Ph.D. again. He and his wife now had three children, and he had taken on additional responsibilities at his church serving as a pastor. On top of that, it had been so long since he’d been a student that he needed to re-take the GRE to be eligible for graduate programs.
As a father working full time while serving as a pastor at his church, he had to make time to hit the books. Getting through the first hurdle to return to grad school was no easy feat.
“Balancing work, family and church responsibilities, I dedicated my late nights to studying for the exam,” he says. “My determination to pursue a Ph.D. program and secure admission motivated me to make the necessary effort to prepare for the GRE.”
After Adeniran passed the GRE for the second time in 2018, he was eager to begin his doctoral studies anew. He had been working in industry for a few years by this point, so he had a specific area in study in mind when he was ready to pursue his Ph.D. again.
“At my job, we have to work in a development environment to run tests before we move into production,” he says. “So I started thinking, is there a program that can simulate how it’s going to be in a real life environment?”
He found the perfect area of study in UCF’s modeling and simulation program, which also offered a specialization in cyber security.
“I chose the University of Central Florida to complete my Ph.D. due to its strong reputation in modeling and simulation, a field that deeply interests me,” Adeniran says. “UCF’s robust research facilities, distinguished faculty and extensive industry connections provided an ideal advanced study and research environment. The university’s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and practical applications aligned perfectly with my career goals and aspirations.”
Adeniran says Mohaisen’s mentorship and support was instrumental as he worked toward his doctoral degree.
“He was always available to discuss and provide directions on the research and pushed me to completing the program this summer despite all odds,” Adeniran says. “He always pushes for excellent work and would continue to provide necessary feedback until he was satisfied with the standard of the work.”
After years of sacrifice, Adeniran is poised to graduate with his Ph.D. in modeling and simulation. He successfully defended his dissertation, “Comprehensive Analysis of the Intersection Between Cryptocurrency and Infrastructure Security,” last month and will be hooded by Mohaisen at summer commencement.
“Despite the intense demands, the experience strengthened my resilience, honed my organizational skills, and reinforced my commitment to my goals,” he says. “It was a period of significant personal growth and achievement, demonstrating the power of dedication and support in achieving one’s aspirations.”
Adeniran’s long-term goal is to establish a cybersecurity consulting firm to tackle emerging security threats and provide expert guidance to organizations. He also plans to teach part-time to help mentor the next generation while also addressing critical cybersecurity needs in the industry.
Reflecting on his years-long academic journey, Adeniran says he was encouraged and supported by a strong foundation: his friends, his family and his church.
“My family’s unwavering belief in my abilities and their understanding of the demands of my Ph.D. program was crucial in maintaining my focus and determination,” he says. “My friends offered emotional support, often lightening my load when possible. My church community was a pillar of strength, offering prayers, encouragement and understanding of my time constraints.”
Story by Bel Huston, UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science