Izuchukwu Azuka Okafor is an Assistant Professor at UMass Chan Medical School. He joined UMass in 2025 as a core faculty member in the Translational Anatomy Division to support the successful implementation of the innovative Vista Curriculum. He delivers anatomy instruction to medical students in the Development, Structure, and Function (DSF) course—the largest foundational course for first-year medical students at UMass Chan—which integrates anatomy, physiology, and radiology.
Dr. Okafor previously worked as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Anatomy at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, where he taught anatomy to medical and allied health undergraduate students across seven departments. He also served as the Postgraduate Coordinator for the department and contributed to several university and national committees, including the National Universities Commission for the B.Sc. Anatomy program. Notably, he was the first Anatomy graduate of the university to be appointed as a lecturer.
Izuchukwu holds a PhD in Reproductive Biology from the University of Ibadan and the Pan African University. His PhD research on Kiss1 gene expression in primary female infertility was supported by the competitive African Union Scholarship of the Pan African University, where he later served on the university’s governing council and became the founding president of the Pan African University Life and Earth Science Institute Alumni Association (PAULESIAA) Executive Committee. He is also a trained clinical embryologist and certified project manager. Dr. Okafor has published over 40 scientific articles and books in reputable international journals and has attended numerous conferences, workshops, and symposiums both locally and internationally. His research interests span reproductive health, anatomical sciences, endocrinology, neurosciences, and medical education.
Izuchukwu is the co-founder and project manager of the Lifeporté Educational Project, which focuses on science engagement, communication, and advocacy across primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Since 2018, the initiative has trained over 300 students and teachers in the sciences and was a finalist in the 2020 Science Engagement Breakthrough of the Year Award by Falling Walls Germany. He has received grants and awards for educational outreach, including support from the American Association for Anatomy (AAA). He currently serves on the jury of the Sibersalz Awards (Science and Media Festival), Germany, and on the Educational Affairs Committee of the AAA.
A passionate advocate for open science, Izuchukwu served as a member of the eLife Global South Committee on Open Science and is part of Public Health Africa, a global initiative working to develop infrastructure and capacity for open access in public health across the continent. As a recognized youth engagement strategist and community development advocate, he has implemented numerous development projects throughout Nigeria, earning him several accolades, including a book award in 2016, a nomination for the ONE Campaign in 2019, and the NYSC Merit Award from the Kogi State Government in 2015. He consults on project development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation and mentors young people interested in teaching, research, leadership, and community impact.
In his leisure time, Izuchukwu enjoys reading, learning new things, traveling, playing volleyball and tennis, sightseeing, and engaging in idea-driven discussions. He remains open to collaborations on projects that foster innovation, education, health, and scientific advancement.