Eniola Shokunbi: Young Scientist and Innovator

Eniola ShokunbiEniola Shokunbi, with permission

Eniola Shokunbi had never really had much interest in science or technology. However, this changed drastically when a classmate brought in an article about a new type of air purifier being installed in the White House. From a young age, Shokunbi had one very clear goal: to become the first African American Woman President of the United States.[1] Anything about the White House, President, or US politics always caught her attention.

The global COVID-19 pandemic broke out in December 2019 when Shokunbi was just seven years old. As the disease is airborne, researchers began exploring ways to reduce the number of pathogens in the air in indoor spaces and the demand for air purifiers in the US soon increased.[2] As many commercial air purifiers are often expensive, engineers Richard Corsi and Jim Rosenthal set to work creating a cheaper alternative: the Corsi-Rosenthal box, made from cardboard, four HVAC filters, and duct tape.[3]

Festucarubra, via Wikimedia CommonsA Corsi-Rosenthal Box air filter, an inexpensive unit designed during the COVID-19 pandemic, to improve ventilation in indoor spaces.

When Eniola Shokunbi (then just nine years old) heard about the Corsi-Rosenthal boxes being used to purify the air in the White House,[4] she decided to try and create her own version to help clean the air in her classroom. She explained to MY HERO that she had noticed many of her classmates having to take time off because of allergies or the flu, and that her research led her to discover that poor air quality can contribute to the spreading of these illnesses or make the symptoms worse. However, Shokunbi wasn’t going to let this be: she was going to do something about it.

Shokunbi then wrote a letter to Marina Creed, Director of the Indoor Air Quality Initiative at the University of Connecticut, asking for help. Creed not only sent Shokunbi instructions, but offered to send a group of scientists from the university to help the class construct their own filter.[5] The first iteration of the air purifier made by Shokunbi and her classmates was fashioned after their school mascot – an owl – and was decorated with brightly colored wings, big round eyes, and a beak. They named it “Owl Force One.”[6] Before long, Shokunbi and her class had created enough filters to place one in each classroom in their school.

Eniola Shokunbi, with permissionEniola decorates one of the C-R air filters.

After garnering attention in the press, Owl Force One was taken for testing by the Environmental Protection Agency in North Carolina.[7] It was found to successfully remove more than ninety-nine percent of viruses in the air.[8] In October 2024, Shokunbi was present as the Connecticut State Bond Commission voted unanimously to grant $11.5 million to have the filters installed in classrooms in schools across the state.[9] She told MY HERO

My proudest achievement so far has been securing that grant of 11.5 million dollars to get the CR DIY airfilters into classrooms across Connecticut. Now, we have the resources to get these airfilters into more classrooms and schools. It’s so important because in just 60 minutes, the filter can take out 99.4% of the viruses that are in the air, and, you know, students are in school for around 7 to 8 hours! Imagine how much cleaner the air would be having the filter there! Not only will students be able to focus better, but the risk for respiratory issues and health problems will be very reduced.

Now, Shokunbi is working to keep the air in classrooms clean across the entire US. Not only does she want the filters installed, but she wants the children in the classrooms to do the installing. On her site, she explains

My goal is to take this initiative nationwide. A key component of my mission is to involve students directly in the process by having them build the air filter boxes themselves. This hands-on involvement will provide educational benefits in STEAM fields while also fostering leadership skills and raising awareness about environmental health. Ultimately, my goal is to create healthier learning environments for all students while empowering them with practical skills and knowledge to make a lasting difference in sustainability.[10]

Shokunbi is a passionate advocate for STEAM education, for women and girls in particular. “We [girls] have so much potential,” she explained, “and believing in ourselves and taking thefirst step is the way that we can start our journey. I want to be the light that guides them there.” Even though she didn’t show much interest in science, Shokunbi explained that learning about the Corsi-Rosenthal boxes completely changed her perspective. Said Shokunbi

When I saw a way to make a connection with science and help people, it made me see science in a whole new light. It was like putting on a different prescription of glasses. I saw it clearer. I learned that there are so many types of sciences, and you don’t have to be interested in just one. 

When MY HERO asked Eniola Shokunbi who her hero is, she explained that there are lots of people that have inspired her journey so far such as Misty Copeland, Amanda Gorman, Leah Sava Jeffries, Michelle Obama, and Oprah Winfrey. Her teacher, Mrs. Mikulak-Yardito, has also encouraged her in her mission. The hero that really stands out, though? Her mother. “She has always been a powerful source of inspiration in my life,” said Shokunbi, “she is a strong, independent woman, and she taught me the importance of advocating for myself and standing firm in my beliefs.”

To be the first African-American female President of the United States is still Shokunbi’s long term plan. In the short term, however, she is determined to ensure that every single classroom across the US has access affordable to clean air. Eniola Shokunbi is an inspiration. Not only is she a young scientist and innovator, but she is using science and innovation to better the lives of others across the entire nation.

Explore Eniola Shokunbi’s website here.

[1] NewsNation. Hometown hero: Student designs air filters for classrooms | Morning in America [Online] Available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeZ6HP78uTs. 2024.

[2] McLaughlin, Liz. EPA testing DIY air purifier built by fifth graders. [Online] Available https://www.wral.com/story/epa-testing-diy-air-purifier-built-by-fifth-graders/20975023/. 2023.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Colwell, Sarah. Engineering Dean Corsi Clears the Air at White House [Online] Available https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/engineering-dean-corsi-clears-air-white-house. 2022.

[5] NewsNation, 2024.

[6] McLaughlin, 2023.

[7] Boyo, Sydney. Middle schooler leads $11.5 million project to build air filters for schools [Online] Available https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/middle-schooler-leads-11-5-million-project-build-air-filters-schools/3415312/. 2024.

[8] BOTWC Staff. 12-Year-Old Eniola Shokunbi Receives $11.5M in Funding for Air Filter Invention [Online] Available https://www.becauseofthemwecan.com/blogs/news/12-year-old-eniola-shokunbi-receives-11-5m-in-funding-for-air-filter-invention. 2024.

[9] Boyo, 2024.

[10] https://eniolashokunbi.com/