Obianuju Okonkwo, MPH

Obianuju earned her M.P.H. from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience from Sewanee: The University of the South. With over ten years of experience in clinical research, she has held roles at esteemed institutions including Children’s National Medical Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) School of Medicine. 

Most recently, Obianuju served as a Program Evaluation Coordinator within UMB’s Division of Psychiatric Research Services, Systems Evaluation Center (SEC). In this capacity, she supported evaluation activities, project coordination, and analytic preparation for statewide behavioral health initiatives under the SOR III grant, focusing on the treatment of opioid and stimulant use disorders in collaboration with the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). Her diverse research background also spans palliative care, GYN subspecialties, and cardiac surgery, where she led numerous clinical trials and managed high-performing teams of research coordinators. 

Obianuju is thrilled to be working with the MOCHA Lab as the new Research Project Manager. Working under the leadership of Dr. Willie, she is eager to apply her expertise in research operations, project management, and behavioral health to advance the lab’s vital research initiatives and support the team's mission. 

Outside of her professional work, Obianuju is a dedicated advocate for women in STEM. She recently completed a two-year tenure as the Director of Public Relations for AWIS Baltimore, where she curated the chapter’s voice and developed strategies to foster a supportive community. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Baltimore’s vibrant restaurant scene, dancing, and traveling to immerse herself in new cultures. She is also proudly reconnecting with her Nigerian heritage by learning Igbo, with plans to master Yoruba next.