Where does your name come from?

• I am one of many Americans with a Nigerian heritage. My parents came from Nigeria in 1981.I was born here and lived here all of my life. I am of the Yoruba tribe, and the Ijebu ethnic group. My full name is Omotayo Oyindamola Onabanjo. As best as I can translate it, my first name means a child who is full of or brings joy. My middle name means "wealth is sweet".

What exactly do you do?

• I obtained my B.A. in Psychology with a minor in English from Penn State University. Currently, I am a fourth year doctoral student in the College of Communication at Penn State.  I am studying media effects with a focus on entertainment media and its effect on social perception. I have studied a myriad of research topics, ranging from romance media consumption to cell phone usage. As a McNair Scholar, I studied the effect of media consumption on unrealistic expectations in romantic relationships. I have also studied the influence of social identity on perceptions of racism in print news. My most recent project, involves examining the social function of mobile technologies.  developing a theoretical model for studying cell phone usage. Throughout my academic career I have managed to publish in a few journals and textbooks.  I have also had the experience of presenting my research throughout the country including Germany and England.

So what apart from research and teaching, what keeps you occupied?

• Outside of the academic arena, I enjoy watching movies, theatre and fellowship. My  hobbies include writing, dancing, and singing.  A writer at heart, I have written a solid collection of poetry, which I have been honored to perform around the world. I also enjoy writing fiction and inspirational commentaries.  A liturgical dancer, I have also performed African dances and interpretative dances throughout my stay at Penn State. While my favorite songs to sing are gospel songs, I  appreciate various types of songs from ragtime, jazz, soft rock to the R & B of the early 1990s. That's pretty much how I use my free time!

What's your 'Why'?

• Carrying a purpose driven attitude, I strongly believe in committing our gifts and talents to doing what we are most passionate about.   I sincerely believe that our living ought to be meaningful.  So it is my hope to do all I can to bless others with my living.

What keeps you inspired?

•  A simple question my Best Friend asked me:

"If you do not know who you are, how can you function?”