Clinical Fellow at London Health Sciences Centre University Hospital, Canada
Dr. Martin Chukwudum Igbokwe is a highly accomplished kidney and pancreatic transplant surgeon with extensive clinical, academic, and leadership experience. He is completing a Clinical Fellowship in Kidney and Pancreatic Transplant Surgery at London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, Canada—one of the country’s top five solid organ transplant institutions. His hands-on expertise spans over 200 deceased donor procurements, 300 kidney transplants, and multiple pancreatic transplants, in addition to living donor laparoscopic nephrectomies and over 500 open donor nephrectomies via a mini-flank approach. Trained initially in urology in Nigeria, Dr. Igbokwe’s proficiency covers endo-urology, reconstructive surgery, paediatric urology, and uro-oncology. He combines exceptional surgical skills with strong academic engagement, evidenced by over 60 peer-reviewed publications and presentations at more than 40 conferences. He is also active in mentoring medical students, training residents, and contributing to policy changes in transplant medicine, reflecting his dedication to advancing surgical care and organ transplantation globally.
Professional Profile
Scopus Profile | ORCID Profile
Education
Dr. Igbokwe’s education reflects rigorous, multidisciplinary training in medicine, surgery, and transplantation. He earned his MB.ChB with Honours from Obafemi Awolowo University, followed by Urology Residency Training at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, achieving fellowships from both the West African College of Surgeons and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. Furthering his specialization, he pursued a Clinical Fellowship in Kidney and Pancreatic Transplantation at Western University, Canada, complemented by the Diploma in Transplantation from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. His training also includes focused clinical attachments in Senegal and South Africa, strengthening his transplant and endo-urology expertise. Dr. Igbokwe holds international surgical credentials, including the Fellowship of the American College of Surgeons, and maintains ongoing development in minimally invasive surgery. His education integrates clinical excellence with academic rigor, underpinned by international exposure, enabling him to deliver high-quality care across diverse healthcare systems and resource settings.
Experience
Dr. Igbokwe’s professional experience combines advanced transplant surgery with urological expertise in both high-resource and resource-limited settings. At London Health Sciences Centre, Canada, he has actively performed complex kidney and pancreas transplants, deceased donor procurements, and living donor nephrectomies, while participating in multidisciplinary transplant care and research. Previously, as Consultant Urologist and Kidney Transplant Surgeon at Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, Nigeria, he led numerous successful transplants and pioneered the mini-flank donor nephrectomy approach. His earlier academic appointment as Lecturer and Consultant Urologist at Obafemi Awolowo University facilitated the training of future surgeons. With a foundation in general practice and extensive residency experience, Dr. Igbokwe has managed a wide range of urological conditions, from cancer to pediatric anomalies. His career reflects versatility—spanning patient care, surgical innovation, and academic contribution—while maintaining an enduring commitment to mentorship, capacity building, and the advancement of organ transplantation services in Africa and abroad.
Research Interest
Dr. Igbokwe’s research interests focus on improving outcomes in kidney and pancreas transplantation, donor surgery innovations, and addressing barriers to transplant access in low- and middle-income countries. He is particularly engaged in studies on immunological compatibility, such as the use of virtual crossmatching in highly sensitized patients, and surgical optimization techniques that reduce morbidity in donor nephrectomy. His interests extend to transplant infectious diseases, ischemia-reperfusion injury prevention, and surgical management of complex urological conditions in transplant recipients. Additionally, he is invested in global health aspects of transplantation, aiming to develop sustainable transplant programs in resource-limited settings. He has contributed to multi-centre collaborations, scoping reviews, and case series that shape policy and clinical practice. With over 60 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Igbokwe’s research approach blends clinical relevance with practical innovation, seeking solutions that improve patient survival, organ longevity, and equitable access to transplantation worldwide.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Igbokwe’s outstanding contributions to surgery and transplantation have earned him numerous awards and honours. In Canada, he has been recognized for academic excellence with distinctions such as the Canadian Urology Association–SIU International Urologist Grant, the Eric Shepherd Travel Award, the RED HOT Grant from the Canadian Society for Transplantation, and the Multiple Organ Transplant Unit Scholarship. He also won the best academic presentation at Western University’s JK Wyatt Urology Residents’ Research Day. Internationally, he has been honoured with the African Cancer Fellowship Award from the American Cancer Society and UICC, a World Congress of Endourology Scholarship, and multiple academic prizes for excellence during his medical training. His early career was marked by competitive scholarships, including national merit awards, reflecting a longstanding commitment to academic and clinical distinction. These recognitions underscore his global impact, scholarly contributions, and leadership in advancing transplant surgery and urology.
Research Skills
Dr. Igbokwe possesses a comprehensive set of research skills developed through extensive clinical studies, multi-institution collaborations, and translational research projects. He is proficient in designing and executing clinical trials, conducting scoping and systematic reviews, and managing both retrospective and prospective data analyses. His expertise includes statistical interpretation, manuscript preparation, and conference presentation. He has successfully led practice-changing studies, such as policy shifts toward virtual crossmatching in transplant recipients, and contributed to high-impact publications on transplant outcomes, surgical innovations, and global health challenges in transplantation. His collaborative approach has enabled participation in interdisciplinary projects involving nephrologists, pathologists, infectious disease experts, and basic scientists. Skilled in grant writing and securing research funding, he effectively bridges academic theory with real-world application. Dr. Igbokwe’s research competency is strengthened by his ability to integrate clinical insight with evidence-based medicine, ensuring his work contributes to both scientific knowledge and improved patient care.
Publication Top Notes
Title: Supplementation of DCD Renal Graft Preservation Solutions with H₂S Donor Molecule STS Against Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury in an Ex Vivo Porcine Model
Authors: Tamara Sidar Ortas; George J. Dugbartey; Mahmoud Richard‑Mohamed; Larry Jiang; Martin Igbokwe; John Wang; Alp Sener
Year: 2025
Title: Supplementation of Organ Preservation Solution with Sodium Thiosulfate Against Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury in a Non-Survival Ex Vivo Porcine Model
Authors: Tamara Sidar Ortas; George J. Dugbartey; Mahmoud Richard‑Mohamed; Martin Igbokwe; Talal Shamma; Larry Jiang; Alp Sener
Year: 2025
Title: Comparison of Controlled Versus Standard Rewarming Protocol on Renal Allograft Temperature Dynamics During Anastomosis and Reperfusion
Authors: Martin Igbokwe; Archit Jain; Jirong Lu; Abdullah Alfaifi; Alp Sener; Patrick P. Luke
Year: 2025
Conclusion
Dr. Martin Chukwudum Igbokwe stands out as a dynamic surgeon-scholar whose work bridges continents, disciplines, and healthcare realities. His journey reflects a rare combination of technical mastery, academic productivity, and global health advocacy. From performing complex kidney and pancreas transplants in Canada to pioneering donor nephrectomy techniques in Nigeria, he has demonstrated adaptability and innovation in diverse clinical contexts. His dedication to research ensures that his surgical practice is continually refined by evidence-based insights, while his teaching roles highlight his commitment to capacity building. Recognized internationally through awards, publications, and conference engagements, he is a respected voice in transplant and urology discourse. Looking forward, he aims to leverage his cross-continental expertise to advance transplant surgery, improve equitable access to care, and mentor the next generation of surgical leaders. Dr. Igbokwe’s career is a testament to the impact that skill, vision, and dedication can achieve in global surgical practice.
