The People Behind
Our Leadership Team
Dr. Tito G. Yao, MD
Global Medical Director / Clinical Advisor
Dr. Tito G. Yao is a highly experienced pediatric cardiologist with over 20 years of clinical practice. Based in Chicago, he is affiliated with leading institutions including Humboldt Park Health and Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital. As Global Medical Director and Clinical Advisor, Dr. Yao provides high-level medical oversight, strategic guidance, and specialized expertise in cardiovascular and pediatric research, strengthening the site’s capabilities in complex clinical trials.
Clinical Research & Therapeutic Areas
- Women’s Health / OB-GYN
- Cardiovascular Disease (including Pediatric Cardiology)
- Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders
- Psychiatry / Depression / CNS Disorders
- Rheumatology & Autoimmune Diseases
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Primary Care & Family Medicine
- Preventive Medicine & Community Health Studies
Dr. Raphael Ijeokwu, MD, EMBA
Physician Lead / Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Raphael Ijeokwu is a physician executive and healthcare strategist with extensive experience
in clinical medicine, healthcare leadership, and research program development. As Physician
Lead and CEO, he oversees the strategic direction, operational expansion, and sponsor
partnerships for the clinical research program. His leadership focuses on expanding patient
access to innovative therapies while building strong community-based clinical trial.
Clinical Research & Therapeutic Areas
- Women’s Health / OB-GYN
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders
- Psychiatry / Depression / CNS Disorders
- Rheumatology & Autoimmune Diseases
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Primary Care & Family Medicine
- Preventive Medicine & Community Health Studies
Dr. Ferdinand Ugwuja, MD, MS, ASCP
Global Medical Director
Dr. Ferdinand Ugwuja is an experienced physician leader with expertise in clinical medicine, laboratory diagnostics, and translational research. As Medical Director, he provides oversight of clinical research activities, ensuring compliance with FDA regulations, ICH-GCP standards, and international clinical trial guidelines. His background strengthens the site’s ability to deliver high-quality, data-driven research and support biomarker-based studies.
Chnical Research & Therapeutic Areas
- Women’s Health / OB-GYN
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders
- Psychiatry / Depression / CNS Disorders
- Rheumatology & Autoimmune Diseases
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Primary Care & Family Medicine
- Preventive Medicine & Community Health Studies
Dr. Chukwuemeka J. Enwezor. MD. MSc
Principal Investigator | Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chukwuemeka Enwezor is a highly trained Family Medicine Physician with strong clinical
and academic research experience. He completed his Family Medicine Residency and served as Chief Resident at Swedish Hospital in Chicago, demonstrating leadership in clinical education and patient care. His research work includes collaboration with the University of Chicago Division of Biological Sciences on nephrology research and biomarker validation studies. As Principal Investigator, Dr. Enwezor ensures strict protocol adherence, patient safety, and high quality clinical trial execution.
Clinical Research & Therapeutic Areas
- Women’s Health / OB-GYN
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders
- Psychiatry / Depression / CNS Disorders
- Rheumatology & Autoimmune Diseases
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Primary Care & Family Medicine
- Preventive Medicine & Community Health Studies
Dr. Ugochukwu C. Nweke, MD, MSc
Director of Operations / Clinical Research Coordinator
Dr. Ugochukwu Nweke is a physician and clinical researcher with a Master of Science in
Clinical Research from Rush University and extensive experience in clinical trial coordination, patient recruitment, regulatory compliance, and data analysis. His research work includes peer-
reviewed publications in rheumatology and autoimmune diseases and presentations at
international conferences including ACR Convergence and EULAR. He oversees operational
management of all research studies, ensuring compliance with IRb regulations, (rood Chinical Practice (GCP), and sponsor requirements.
Clinical Research & Therapeutic Areas
- Women’s Health / OB-GYN
- Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders
- Psychiatry / Depression / CNS Disorders
- Rheumatology & Autoimmune Diseases
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Primary Care & Family Medicine
- Preventive Medicine & Community Health Studies
Dr. Charles Odoka, MD, MSN
Clinical Research Study Coordinator
Dr. Charles Odoka is a physician and master’s-prepared nurse with significant experience in
pharmacovigilance, drug safety evaluation, and regulatory reporting. He has worked with
global pharmaceutical organizations including Abb Vie, Labcorp, and Amneal Pharmaceuticals, supporting safety monitoring for both marketed and investigational therapies. His expertise includes adverse event review, signal detection, and safety database management using platforms such as Oracle Argus, Medidata Rave, and Veeva Vault.
Clinical Research & Therapeutic Areas
- Women’s Health / OB-GYN
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders
- Psychiatry / Depression / CNS Disorders
- Rheumatology & Autoimmune Diseases
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Primary Care & Family Medicine
- Preventive Medicine & Community Health Studies
Okechi Odoka, MSN, FNP-BC
Sub-Investigator | Nurse Practitioner
Okechi Odoka is a hoard…certified Family Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in primary care, inpatient medicine, and clinical safety monitoring. She supports the clinical research program through patient assessments, study visits, safety monitoring, and protocol implementation. Her clinical expertise enhances patient recruitment, retention, and overall study quality while ensuring excellent patient care and compliance with research protocols.
Clinical Research & Therapeutic Areas
- Women’s Health / OB-GYN
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders
- Psychiatry / Depression / CNS Disorders
- Rheumatology & Autoimmune Diseases
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Primary Care & Family Medicine
- Preventive Medicine & Community Health Studies