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.
Additional information about lab rotations within the CPHR program can be found athttp://www.umassmed.edu/cphr/program/rotations.aspx
University of Ibadan, Reproductive Biology
Population and Quantitative Health Sciences
Okafor IA, Okafor US, Nweke JO, Ibeabuchi KC
Okafor IA, Okafor US, Nweke JO, Ibeabuchi KC. Kiss1 gene expression, sperm indices and testicular histopathology following the administration of Hibiscus sabdariffa in rats. JBRA Assist Reprod. 2023 Jun 22; 27(2):226-233.
Kiss1 gene expression, sperm indices and testicular histopathology following the administration of Hibiscus sabdariffa in rats.
Okafor IA. Bringing OSCEs into the 21st century: The need to tread with caution. Med Teach. 2021 06; 43(6):725-726.
Bringing OSCEs into the 21st century: The need to tread with caution.
Okafor IA, Saanu OO, Olayemi O, Omigbodun AO
Okafor IA, Saanu OO, Olayemi O, Omigbodun AO. Characterization of primary female infertility in a Nigerian tertiary hospital: A case-control study. Afr J Reprod Health. 2022 Aug; 26(8):66-82.
Characterization of primary female infertility in a Nigerian tertiary hospital: A case-control study.
Okafor IA, Nnamah US, Ahiatrogah S, Serwaa D, Nnaka J
International journal of reproductive biomedicine
Okafor IA, Nnamah US, Ahiatrogah S, Serwaa D, Nnaka J. Reproductive toxicity potentials of methanolic extract of Portulaca oleracea in male rats: An experimental study. Int J Reprod Biomed. 2021 Mar; 19(3):245-254.
Reproductive toxicity potentials of methanolic extract of Portulaca oleracea in male rats: An experimental study.
Okafor IA, Nnaka JA, Chia T. Cadaver Dissection Experience for First-Time Dissectors: a Hypothetical Three-Pronged Approach for Student Preparation. Med Sci Educ. 2024 Feb; 34(1):257-269.
Cadaver Dissection Experience for First-Time Dissectors: a Hypothetical Three-Pronged Approach for Student Preparation.
Okafor IA, Chia T. The need to preserve the humanistic nature of medical education amidst COVID-19-induced learning strategies. Med Teach. 2022 12; 44(12):1423-1424.
The need to preserve the humanistic nature of medical education amidst COVID-19-induced learning strategies.
Okafor IA, Nnaka JA, Suleiman MO, Erekosima BU, Mbagwu SI, Ibeabuchi KC, Gbadegesin OS, Uzomba GC, Aliyu AI
Okafor IA, Nnaka JA, Suleiman MO, Erekosima BU, Mbagwu SI, Ibeabuchi KC, Gbadegesin OS, Uzomba GC, Aliyu AI. Beyond the blade: Unveiling the nexus of spirituality and human dissection among medical and allied health students in Nigeria. Anat Sci Educ. 2025 Feb; 18(2):149-159.
Beyond the blade: Unveiling the nexus of spirituality and human dissection among medical and allied health students in Nigeria.
Okafor IA, Mbagwu SI, Chidera IG, Augustine EC, Anagboso IM, Onyema CE
Okafor IA, Mbagwu SI, Chidera IG, Augustine EC, Anagboso IM, Onyema CE. The effect of coadministration of vitamin D and tramadol on serum kisspeptin, testosterone, oxidative stress levels and testicular histology in Wistar rats: a preliminary report. Rev Int Androl. 2024 Dec; 22(4):59-67.
The effect of coadministration of vitamin D and tramadol on serum kisspeptin, testosterone, oxidative stress levels and testicular histology in Wistar rats: a preliminary report.
Okafor IA, Mbagwu SI, Chia T, Hasim Z, Udokanma EE, Chandran K
Frontiers in research metrics and analytics
Okafor IA, Mbagwu SI, Chia T, Hasim Z, Udokanma EE, Chandran K. Institutionalizing Open Science in Africa: Limitations and Prospects. Front Res Metr Anal. 2022; 7:855198.
Institutionalizing Open Science in Africa: Limitations and Prospects.
Okafor IA, Okpara UD, Ibeabuchi KC. The Reproductive Functions of the Human Brain Regions: A Systematic Review. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2022 Apr-Jun; 15(2):102-111.
The Reproductive Functions of the Human Brain Regions: A Systematic Review.
Okafor IA, Chia T. Covid-19: Emerging Considerations for Body Sourcing and Handling. A Perspective View from Nigeria. Anat Sci Educ. 2021 Mar; 14(2):154-162.
Covid-19: Emerging Considerations for Body Sourcing and Handling. A Perspective View from Nigeria.
Okafor IA, Mbagwu SI, Okafor US, Nweke JO, Ibeabuchi KC, Ogbonna SN
Okafor IA, Mbagwu SI, Okafor US, Nweke JO, Ibeabuchi KC, Ogbonna SN. The methanolic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa downregulates the relative expression of Kiss1 gene in the hypothalamus of Wistar rats: A preliminary report. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2023 Nov-Dec; 13(6):575-584.
The methanolic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa downregulates the relative expression of Kiss1 gene in the hypothalamus of Wistar rats: A preliminary report.
Okafor IA, Okafor US, Ndukwe V. Portulaca oleracea shows no ameliorative potential on ovariectomy-induced hormonal and estrous cycle dysregulation in normal cyclic rats: An experimental study. Int J Reprod Biomed. 2021 Oct; 19(10):899-908.
Portulaca oleracea shows no ameliorative potential on ovariectomy-induced hormonal and estrous cycle dysregulation in normal cyclic rats: An experimental study.
Okafor IA, Nnaka JA, Ezeike VU. The Prevalence and Students' Perception of the Use of Background Music During Cadaver Dissection in Sub-Saharan Africa. Med Sci Educ. 2025 Apr; 35(2):711-720.
The Prevalence and Students' Perception of the Use of Background Music During Cadaver Dissection in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Debat H, Okafor IA, Shitindo M, Amaral OB, Izzati N, Basu Mallick C, Henry AO, Dine RD, Santacruz-Perez C
Debat H, Okafor IA, Shitindo M, Amaral OB, Izzati N, Basu Mallick C, Henry AO, Dine RD, Santacruz-Perez C. How the Global South is reshaping scholarly communication. Elife. 2025 Sep 01; 14.
How the Global South is reshaping scholarly communication.