Grinnell College Athletics

Christine Ajinjeru ’14 was a consistent standout performer for the Grinnell women’s track and field team. Specializing in the 400-meter run, she dominated Midwest Conference competition almost every year and qualified for NCAA National Championships in both indoor and outdoor competitions during her senior season. In 2012 and 2014, Ajinjeru ran to MWC titles in the outdoor 400-meter run and the indoor sprint medley relay on her way to being named MWC Championships outstanding performer twice. She was a three-time team MVP and MWC Performer of the Week, a testament to the incredible respect that she earned from her teammates, coaches and opponents in her time at Grinnell. Ajinjeru is the best to ever run the 400 in conference history, as her time of 55.49 seconds in the 2014 outdoor Championships remains a MWC record today. She also holds school records in six different events including two outdoor events (400 and 4x400 relay) and four indoor events (400, 4x200, 4x400 and sprint medley). The 4x400 team also holds the MWC record as of 2020. For her incredible accomplishments, she was awarded the Grace McIlrath Parker ’11 Award for outstanding athlete in a single sport. She went on to earn Academic All-Conference honors in indoor and outdoor track from 2011-2014 and USTFCCCA All-Academic honors in 2014. After graduating from Grinnell with a degree in chemistry, Ajinjeru went on to earn her Ph.D. in Energy Science and Engineering from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.  Ajinjeru is passionate about increasing energy access in developing regions, advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0, as well as efforts to increase the visibility and retention of women of color in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Born and raised in Uganda, Ajinjeru is currently based in Washington D.C. where she works as a Consultant for Deloitte in the Energy practice.