Chiamaka (Amaka) Okorie is a first-generation third-year medical student at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She immigrated from Nigeria to the United States for college and graduated with a B.Sc. in Biology from SUNY Geneseo. There she was chosen to represent Geneseo's graduating class of 2016 as the commencement speaker. Amaka has remained curious through medical school, participating in clinical and translational research with peer-reviewed publications. Through this curiosity, she found a strong interest in dermatology. She is currently undergoing a dedicated research year under Dr. Matt Hayden, working on the cell modeling of Darier's disease (Keratosis Follicularis).

She also has broad projects on inclusivity in medical training and patient education. During this academic year, she is proud to be a medical accompaniment and advocate for newly arrived Afghan refugees in the upper valley as they interact with the Healthcare system. Amaka loves to teach and has mentored numerous students through different programs during her time at Geisel. Specifically in her role in the McGill Scholars program, working with the students of color collective at the Lebanon High School and the Black Girl White Coat organization. She is a long-standing member of the admissions committee at Geisel, President of the Dermatology Interest Group (DIG), and the public relations officer for the Student National Medical Association chapter. Her mission as DIG chapter leader is to extend further the collaborative network between our members and the department.

Lastly, she enjoys photography, making flower arrangements, and she picked up snowboarding during her time in New England. Feel free to reach out to Chiamaka with any questions about her extracurriulars or applying to medical school.