NEBRASKA
Matthias Okoye ’80
Director, Nebraska Institute of Forensic Sciences Inc.

As the director of the Nebraska Institute of Forensic Sciences Inc., Matthias Okoye (M.S. ’80) draws on his experience as a physician, lawyer and forensic expert.

Okoye obtained dual medical degrees from the University of Lagos College of Medicine in Lagos, Nigeria, and the British Conjoint Board of the U.K. in 1974. He then served as senior house officer in surgery and pathology for the Nigerian Ministry of Health.

He immigrated to the United States in 1976 and began a residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He earned a master’s degree in pharmaceutical science, with an emphasis in toxicology, from UMKC. He also obtained a juris doctorate degree from the Detroit College of Law.

How does he combine all of his scholarship and expertise? Forensic science. Okoye, who lives in Lincoln, Neb., has discussed forensic cases on national news programs like CNN, ABC News and CBS. He has also been invited by other nations to conduct investigations
of controversial and high-profile deaths.

Okoye received the Emerald Award for Minorities in Science in 2005, one of many recognitions for his contributions to medicine and forensic science.