Chioma M. Okeoma, Ph.D., Named Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology

Dr. Okeoma was most recently an associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, where her research focused on understanding how host factors expressed in host cells or present in extracellular structures, such as extracellular vesicles and extracellular condensates, protect the host against infective agents or facilitate disease manifestation. 

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Okeoma to NYMC,” said Jerry L. Nadler, M.D., MACP, FAHA, FACE, dean of the School of Medicine and professor of medicine and of pharmacology. “In this new role, Dr. Okeoma will work collaboratively with Dr. Humayun Islam, [M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology and clinical professor of pathology and clinical associate professor of medicine,] to provide leadership in basic and translational research to NYMC’s distinguished faculty of academic scientists, educators and clinicians. Given her extensive research background, we are confident that Dr. Okeoma will be a great asset in enabling us to continue to advance our research program.”

Dr. Okeoma has experience leading prominent research projects, as she has played a lead role in defining the role of BST-2 in breast cancer and has been published extensively in national and international journals, including the Journal of Virology, Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, Scientific Reports and Cell Death and Diseases.

“Dr. Okeoma is an interdisciplinary scientist leading a versatile research program that could be a core of many collaborative projects with NYMC’s basic science and clinical faculty. I anticipate Dr. Okeoma will lead mentored research projects for our master’s and doctoral students, who will benefit from her scientific expertise and life experience,” said Marina K. Holz, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences and professor of cell biology and anatomy.

Dr. Okeoma received her Ph.D. at Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand, and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania before joining the University of Iowa as an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology in 2010. She has been at the forefront of cutting-edge research for which she has received many awards and recognitions, including a medallion from the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists, as well as the Andy Kaplan Prize from Cold Spring Harbor Retrovirus Meeting. She is also a recipient of the Iowa Women of Innovation Awards by the Technology Association of Iowa.

She is a member of several professional associations, including the American Society for Virology, American Society for Microbiology, American Society for Reproductive Immunology, American Society for Biochemistry and Microbiology, American Society for Exosomes and Microvesicles, American Association of Immunologists, and American Society for Virology Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Okeoma as vice chair of research in our department,” said Dr. Islam. “With her expertise and experience, we are very confident that there will be many new opportunities for collaborative projects under her guidance and leadership to advance the research programs at NYMC.”