Onyii Okenwa - PhD profile

Can you tell us a little about yourself and where you’re from, both academically and geographically?

Hei hei! I’m Onyii 😊. I am British-Nigerian, born in Nigeria and raised in Scotland. I studied Medicine at the University of Aberdeen, graduating 10 years ago. Since then, I have worked clinically across both hospital and community medicine and completed General Practice training in 2024. Alongside clinical work, I have been involved in medical student supervision, teaching, and clinical projects aimed at improving the quality of patient care. I am now furthering my deep-seated interest in academia through this exciting and cutting-edge PhD within the ENDOTRAIN network.

What motivated you to pursue a PhD, and what drew you specifically to ENDOTRAIN as a doctoral network?

While I thoroughly enjoy making a meaningful impact on individual patients through clinical practice, research has the potential to create a wider ripple effect by influencing how healthcare is delivered on a bigger scale, and this motivates me. I have had a long-standing interest in endocrinology and a growing fascination with technology. This PhD brings these interests together perfectly in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment.

ENDOTRAIN specifically provides the opportunity to work with academic researchers across multiple disciplines, alongside industry partners, and to be involved in cutting-edge research that can be translated into improved clinical care in endocrinology. I am thrilled by the opportunity to become part of the next generation of researchers in digital endocrinology, working at the interface between healthcare, academia and innovation.

Where will you be based during your PhD, and what are you most looking forward to about living and working there?

I will be based at the University of Bergen and Haukeland University Hospital in Norway. I am looking forward to learning from internationally recognised researchers and working within an interdisciplinary environment. Personally, I am excited to experience Norwegian culture, improve my Norwegian language skills, and enjoy Bergen’s incredible access to mountains and nature. I am particularly excited to attempt skiing and to go on cabin trips 😊

At this very early stage, how would you describe your PhB project in broad, non-technical terms?

Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is a condition where the adrenal glands are unable to produce enough of a hormone called cortisol, which is essential for healthy body function. My PhD is essentially about trying to understand what “the right amount” of cortisol looks like for someone living with PAI, and how close we get to that with currently available treatments. Cortisol levels naturally change throughout the day, so we will use innovative technology to get a more complete picture of how cortisol relates to how the body functions and how patients feel. We will combine 24-hour hormone measurements with continuous data from wearable technology and compare this with data from healthy controls. In the longer term, I hope this work can contribute to more personalised and precise treatment for patients.

During your PhD, what specific skills, methods, or areas of expertise are you most looking forward to learning?

Coming from a clinical background, I am looking forward to gaining expertise in statistical modelling to integrate and analyse data, particularly using programming languages. Beyond technical skills, I am looking forward to developing further as an academic through scientific writing, presenting research internationally, and gaining first-hand experience of conducting quantitative research that can be translated into improvements in patient care.

What are you most looking forward to about learning and working within an international doctoral network like ENDOTRAIN?

One of the most exciting aspects of ENDOTRAIN is the opportunity to work alongside people with completely different areas of expertise, who will approach the same problem from different perspectives. I look forward to contributing clinical insights while learning from other members of the team, as I think combining these perspectives can lead to innovative and practical solutions. I am enthusiastic about the secondments at partner institutions and collaborating with researchers across Europe. These experiences will help shape me into a clinician-scientist who can bridge multiple disciplines and translate emerging technologies into meaningful improvements in patient care.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work that helps you relax and recharge after a long day of research?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and exploring new places. I also enjoy playing competitive netball, but I look forward to trying out a new sport as I hear netball isn’t so popular in Bergen! 😊

As you begin your ENDOTRAIN journey, what are you most curious or enthusiastic about right now?

I am excited to be joining a community of researchers who share an ambition of shaping the future of digital endocrinology. I am excited to see what impact we can ultimately make on patient care and where the research will take us.