Somto Okafor

Somtochukwu Stellamaris Okafor

McKelvey School of Engineering: Biomedical Engineering, (PhD)

Somtochukwu S. Okafor earned her BSc in Biomedical Engineering from University of Ghana in 2019, where she graduated as the best biomedical engineering student in her class. Following graduation, she took up a research assistant position with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Ghana.

Somtochukwu is currently a Biomedical Engineering PhD student at Washington University in St Louis. Her key research interests are in tissue engineering, biomaterials, and neuro-engineering. She hopes to develop cutting-edge technology/materials through her research that will improve the state of maternal and child healthcare, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Her hobbies are socializing, dancing, and cooking.

Scholar Voices Feature

Connecting Scholars to Transformative Opportunities: Insights from B4U Mentorship at Bayer Crop Sciences

The McDonnell International Scholars Academy is dedicated to facilitating opportunities for Scholars to engage with global industry leaders to enhance their professional development and growth. Among these opportunities is the Bayer University Mentoring Program (B4U), an innovative initiative launched by Bayer Crop Science in 2018. The program pairs graduate students and postdoc mentees with experienced Bayer scientists for a year-long, one-on-one mentoring experience that focuses on honing soft skills and professional development.

In February 2024, the McDonnell Academy, along with more than 20 McDonnell Scholars, had the opportunity to network with experts across multiple sectors during the Bayer Crop Science St. Louis corporate showcase. Bayer, a long-time supporter and sponsor of the McDonnell Academy, provided Scholars with firsthand knowledge of its unique B4U Program and its impact on healthcare and agriculture. Among these Scholars, Somtochukwu Okafor, a biomedical engineering Phd student, Ghiska Ramahdita, a mechanical engineering PhD student, and Judith Sokei, a cancer biology PhD student, were selected to participate in the program. Nearly a year later, each shared their experiences and insights from the program. Their reflections reveal how the B4U program fosters professional growth, career transition support, and meaningful connections.

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