Dr. Okafor’s research spans anatomy education and reproductive sciences. His educational scholarship examines students’ experiences of donor dissection, anatomical variation, factors influencing success in preclinical anatomy, faculty development, and the integration of educational technologies. His current projects explore pre-dissection resources to support anatomical variation education and the opportunities and barriers associated with technology use in anatomy teaching. His reproductive sciences research includes infertility and reproductive endocrinology. He has authored or coauthored more than 50 scientific publications, including journal articles and book chapters.
Before joining UMass Chan, Dr. Okafor was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Anatomy at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Nigeria, where he taught undergraduate medical and allied health students across nine departments and contributed to postgraduate anatomy education. He served as Postgraduate Coordinator, chaired the B.Sc. Anatomy program accreditation committee, and contributed to curriculum revision and the development of four undergraduate courses. His mentoring experience includes undergraduate and postgraduate research supervision, faculty mentoring, and career guidance. He was the first graduate of NAU’s anatomy program to be appointed as a lecturer at the university.
Dr. Okafor earned his PhD in Reproductive Biology with distinction through the University of Ibadan and the Pan African University, supported by an African Union scholarship. He completed a medical education fellowship through the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists and Flinders University and holds a Certificate in Clinical Embryology and Assisted Reproductive Technology. He previously served on the Pan African University’s Governing Council and as founding president of its Life and Earth Science Institute alumni association.
His professional contributions include service as an Editorial Board Member of BMC Medical Education, a Reviewing Editor for eLife, and an Associate Editor of the Journal of Anatomical Sciences. He serves on the Educational Affairs Committee of the American Association for Anatomy (AAA) and participates in its Anatomy Scholars Program. At UMass Chan, he contributes to medical school admissions as a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) rater and serves as a voting member of the Library and Learning Resources Committee.
An advocate for open science and equitable access to knowledge, Dr. Okafor serves on the Advisory Board of the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). His contributions include previous service with the eLife Global South Committee on Open Science and Public Health Africa, alongside participation in initiatives advancing inclusive scholarly communication and research capacity in Africa.
Dr. Okafor is the co-founder of the Lifeporté Educational Project, which advances science engagement, communication, and advocacy across primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The initiative has received educational outreach support from the AAA and was a finalist in the science engagement category of the 2020 Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year award. He also serves as a jury member for the SILBERSALZ Science & Media Awards in Germany.
Outside his academic work, Dr. Okafor enjoys reading, traveling, playing volleyball and tennis, and exchanging ideas. He welcomes collaborations in anatomy education, reproductive sciences, open science, and public engagement with science.