Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery
Clinical Director, Brain Trauma Research Center
Director, Neurotrauma Program
Director, Spinal Deformity Program
Phone: (412) 647-1025
e-mail: okonkwodo@upmc.edu

Also see Media Appearances below

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, is assistant professor and director of neurotrauma, director of spinal deformity at UPMC Presbyterian, and clinical director of the Brain Trauma Research Center of the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Okonkwo completed his undergraduate work at the University of Virginia, where he received the University Academic Achievement Award and was named a Howard Hughes Undergraduate Biomedical Research Scholar. He completed his medical and doctoral education through the MD/PhD program of the Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University.

He joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery in 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. He is also principal investigator of several ongoing clinical studies in neurotrauma in Pittsburgh.

Dr. Okonkwo has published more than 60 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

Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC
UPMC Presbyterian
UPMC Mercy
Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System

Professional Organizational Membership

Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
American College of Surgeons (Associate Member)
Congress of Neurological Surgeons
International Neurotrauma Society
National Neurotrauma Society

Editorial Service

• Editorial Board:

Neurosurgical Focus

• Ad Hoc Reviewer:

Journal of Neurotrauma
Journal of Neurosurgery
Developmental Neuroscience
Experimental Neurology

Media Appearances

A pitt professor has developed a new way of understanding the workings of the human brain
August 23, 2011
Pittsburgh Quarterly

Giffords' Brain Fluid Buildup a 'Minor Setback,' but Other Risks Remain
January 25, 2011
AOL News