Chizora Okolo

Chizora Okolo is from Omaha, Nebraska, majoring in Biological Sciences and Psychology with a concentration in Human Health and Disease. As a freshman, Chizzy was selected for Northwestern’s highly selective Bioscientist Program, which gave her the opportunity to conduct research at Lurie Children’s Hospital in the pediatric surgery department. Her research project was designed to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment of children with colorectal cancers across multiple treatment centers; her findings were presented at a symposium with Deans, faculty and students. 

Currently she’s involved in research within the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, where the focus is on the FMR1 gene and its role in autism. This experience has shown “how molecular research can inform our understanding of complex conditions” and shaped her goal of becoming a “physician who integrates research and scientific insight with clinical practice and compassionate care.”