Princess Osonwa is a fourth-year UC Irvine psychology student with a minor in biological sciences, on a path to a career in healthcare. Bringing empathy and a passion for helping others to everything she does, she is active in research, outreach and volunteer programs in the School of Social Sciences and across campus – while maintaining a connection to her cultural roots through dance and music.

After leaving Nigeria at the age of six, Osonwa was raised by her mother in San Bernardino, while her father and brothers stayed in their hometown. When it came time to go to college, she was torn between staying at home with her mom or spreading her own wings. She ultimately chose UC Irvine, saying, “I wanted to build something for myself.”

Osonwa enrolled as a psychology major in UC Irvine’s School of Social Sciences, planning to become a psychologist or pursue medical school and perhaps become a psychiatrist. She dived into psychology research working in the Leading Exploration and Analysis in the Psychosis Spectrum (LEAPS) lab, directed by Jason Schiffman, professor of psychological science. In addition to her work in the lab, she also participates in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, conducting projects related to psychosis, stigma and mental health care.

Her involvement with the Black Psychology Student Association, which she’s president of this year, also enhanced her interest in the field. At UCI, Osonwa walks in the footsteps of the “godfather of Black psychology,” the late social sciences professor Joseph L. White. Through BPSA, she has connected with other students interested in pursuing psychology with the understanding that culture and background can impact the way psychological issues manifest and can be treated.

“Black psychology is really important, especially for my community,” Osonwa says. “There's a lot of stigma, and I think that's what really drives me to want to become a psychiatrist – if that is where I end up.”

Osonwa leaves the door open to pursuing other medical fields because her experiences at UCI have broadened her interests. A biology course, Mind, Memory and the Brain left her fascinated by how neurotransmitters form traumatic memories. Then, a demonstration by a resident physician sparked her interest in interventional radiological science.

Serving marginalized communities

To further explore opportunities in healthcare, Osonwa joined the UC PRIME Pre-Health Pathways (UC3P) program, which offers workshops and resources to help first generation students and those from marginalized communities succeed in health fields. Through UC3P, Osonwa has volunteered with community-based health initiatives that gave her first-hand insight into inequities among Latino communities in Orange County. The experiences resonated with her own as an immigrant – she and her mom often struggled with health care and maintaining their health insurance. It also helped her crystalize her desire to work with marginalized communities.

“I was conflicted about becoming a medical doctor, but every single day I'm in the UC3P program, it really solidifies my decision and it makes me feel more confident and stronger,” says Osonwa. “I know now that there is a community that I really want to help.”

The program offers mentorship from staff and current UCI medical students who can offer advice from their own experiences. Those mentors have been helping Osonwa navigate the process of applying for post-baccalaureate programs on her way to medical school, and reminding her that everyone’s pathway to medicine is unique. By connecting and sharing experiences with her mentors and the other students in the UC3P, Osonwa says she feels less alone in her journey.

Lena M. Njoku, director of UC3P, says Osonwa embodies the essence of the UC3P program. “Her commitment to equity, service and empowering others exemplifies what we strive to nurture in our scholars,” she says.

Osonwa also participates with International Medicine, Education and Development (IMED), a student-led group that provides health education locally and internationally. Through that organization, she has volunteered at a domestic violence shelter, provided science kits for children, and helped provide free health screenings. She also works with Southern California Healthcare Outreach at UCI to educate older adults, young adults and teens about how to acquire health insurance in California.

“I want to work with more immigrant communities because, just from personal experience and observing my mom, there’s not just stigma in the community, there’s also not enough resources,” says Osonwa. “Health is generally just being ignored for some people.”

Legacy of leadership

Juggling academics with multiple volunteer programs hasn’t been easy. For stress relief, Osonwa relies on something she’s loved her whole life: dance. She joined the West African Dance Group at UCI, and is the team’s co-captain this year.

“With everything I'm doing, dance is a stress reliever,” she says. “I love to express myself with dance and music, and being able to do dance styles that are from where I come from is really impactful to me, as well.”

In Nigeria, her first name, Princess – or Adaeze – is also her title. She is the daughter of a traditional ruler, or king, who inherited his own title from his father and grandfather. But amid Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, the family does not plan to continue passing along the title to future generations. While it may be the end of that tradition, Osonwa aims to continue the legacy of leadership and community service by charting her own path in medicine.

“Adaeze is an extraordinary individual whose impact extends far beyond her academic achievements. What sets her apart is her unwavering dedication to uplifting and advocating for others, particularly in underserved communities,” says Njoku. “She approaches every challenge with a thoughtful, solution-oriented mindset, and I have no doubt that she will make meaningful, lasting contributions to the healthcare field.”

-Christine Byrd for UCI Social Sciences
-Pictured: Headshot courtesy of koivisualss. Princess Osonwa performing with the West African Dance Group at UCI.