July 27, 2026 | Ethan Simmons
“Seeing my academic training translate into practical solutions has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my graduate experience”
While still working on her Ph.D., a University of Illinois community health student researcher landed an internship at the biggest national laboratory in the Midwest.
This summer, Bisola Adeleke has conducted user experience research at Argonne National Laboratory, a federally funded science and engineering lab in Argonne, Illinois.
Adeleke’s research specialty is in healthy aging, which she studies at the Adult Development Adaptation and Technology Laboratory, or ADAPT Lab, led by Health and Kinesiology Associate Professor Shannon Mejía.
“Although my research focuses on older adults, the principles of human-centered design are universal,” Adeleke said.
This summer, her UX research has taken place in the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility, which provides supercomputing and AI resources to academic researchers, government agencies and industry scientists.
“Even world-class computing systems need intuitive, user-centered design,” Adeleke said. “The researchers who use ALCF are experts in their scientific fields, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they should have to struggle with complex workflows or documentation.”
What she’s seen so far: good user experience can make these advanced computing resources operate more efficiently and accessibly, allowing the researchers to spend more time on discovery and less navigating technical barriers, Adeleke said.
An extended time working with professionals from computing and tech backgrounds has strengthened her ability to communicate across a diverse set of disciplines.
“One of the things I’ve valued most about my time at the University of Illinois is the emphasis on applying research to real-world challenges,” Adeleke said. “My coursework has provided a strong foundation in public health and research methods, while my internship at Argonne has shown me how those skills can be applied to improving technologies that support scientific research.
“Seeing my academic training translate into practical solutions has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my graduate experience.”
Before joining the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Adeleke’s academic journey spanned two continents: she obtained her bachelor’s in health education from Lagos State University in Nigeria, and her master’s degree in research and development in educational studies from Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic.
Editor’s note:
To reach Bisola Adeleke, email bisolaa2@illinois.edu
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