Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi's story is one of the most extraordinary in American science. Born James Edward Plummer Jr. in New Orleans to a deeply unstable household, he moved more than 20 times during childhood, spent periods living on the street, and was involved in gang activity as a teenager. Yet his passion for physics — ignited by a library copy of George Gamow's One Two Three... Infinity — drove him to Tougaloo College, then Stanford University for his PhD, and eventually to a groundbreaking career in solar astrophysics and television science communication.
Early Life
Hakeem Oluseyi was born James Edward Plummer Jr. on March 13, 1967, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His childhood was marked by extraordinary instability — frequent moves across Mississippi, Texas, and California, poverty, domestic violence, homelessness, and gang involvement as a teenager. His transformation came when he discovered physics through library books. He later adopted the name Hakeem Muata Oluseyi to honor his African heritage.
Education
Oluseyi earned a full scholarship to Tougaloo College in Mississippi, where he also met his wife Jessica. He graduated with a degree in Physics and Mathematics, then attended Stanford University, earning his PhD in Physics. He completed postdoctoral research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and UC Berkeley.
Career: Research, Patents, and Television
His research spans solar astrophysics, dark energy, and detector physics. He holds 8 US patents and 4 EU patents, many related to semiconductor technology for space telescopes. He served as professor at Florida Institute of Technology and later held a position at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. He hosted the Science Channel's Space's Deepest Secrets and appeared extensively on Discovery Channel documentaries. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society.
A Quantum Life (2021)
Co-written with Joshua Horwitz, A Quantum Life: My Unlikely Journey from the Street to the Stars (2021) received extraordinary critical acclaim and has been used as assigned reading in physics departments across the country.
Net Worth
Hakeem Oluseyi's estimated net worth in 2026 is approximately $2 million, from his academic salary, television hosting fees, speaking engagements, book royalties, and patent licensing.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Hakeem Muata Oluseyi (born James Edward Plummer Jr.)
- Date of Birth: March 13, 1967
- Age (2026): 59 years old
- Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Spouse: Jessica Oluseyi
- Education: Tougaloo College (BS); Stanford University (PhD Physics)
- Profession: Astrophysicist, TV Host, Author, Inventor
- Net Worth (2026): ~$2 Million
