2025 Black in STEM

Faculty

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Denise Okafor.

Denise Okafor

Huck Early Career Chair in Biophysics, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and of Chemistry

 

Graduate major and degree: biochemistry, doctor of philosophy (Georgia Tech, 2015)

Undergraduate major and degree: biomedical chemistry, bachelor of science (Oral Roberts University, 2007)

Connect: X/Twitter

 

What motivates you to do science?

Research allows me to contribute to our fundamental understanding of how cells work. Our experiments don't always work, but every time we learn something new, I realize what privilege it is to participate in this way.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month reminds me that some of the most important contributions of our time have been made by people that look like me, even if they have not received the recognition they deserve.