Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
Clinical Director, Brain Trauma Research Center
Acute Care Director, Center for Injury Research and Control (CIRCL)
Director, CNS Injury Program
Phone: (412) 647-1025
e-mail: okonkwodo@upmc.edu

Specialized Areas of Interest

Brain and spine trauma; scoliosis; spinal deformity; minimally invasive spine surgery; experimental therapies for brain and spinal cord injuries.

Biography

David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neurological surgery, joined the department iin July of 2006 following completion of neurosurgical residency at the University of Virginia and a fellowship at Auckland Public Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. He has additional specialized training in scoliosis and other spinal deformities.

Dr. Okonkwo’s clinical interests are traumatic injuries to the brain and spine as well as scoliosis and spinal deformity. His research endeavors involve developing novel therapeutic interventions for brain and spinal cord injury. Dr. Okonkwo is the principal investigator of a nationally funded clinical core to study the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury.

Dr. Okonkwo has published more than twenty-five papers in refereed journals, authored numerous book chapters, and garnered several awards for his scientific research. He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and the National and International Neurotrauma Societies.

Dr. Okonkwo's publications can be reviewed through the National Library of Medicine's publication database

Hospital Privileges

Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC
UPMC Presbyterian
UPMC South Side
Veteran’s Administration Hospital

Professional Organizational Membership

Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
American College of Surgeons (Associate Member)
International Neurotrauma Society
Joint Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care
National Neurotrauma Society

Editorial Service

• Ad Hoc Reviewer:

Journal of Neurotrauma
Journal of Neurosurgery
Developmental Neuroscience