40 Under 40 · AT THE BENCH
Jamaji Nwanaji-Enwerem, MD, PhD, MPP
Presidential Assistant Professor & Executive Director | University of Pennsylvania and ELND | Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Jamaji Nwanaji-Enwerem is a physician-scientist working at the intersection of environmental health, policy, and clinical medicine. His work focuses on understanding how environmental exposures shape aging and long-term health outcomes—and translating that knowledge into meaningful action.
At the University of Pennsylvania, he serves as a Presidential Assistant Professor and Executive Director of ELND. His career spans medicine, research, and public policy, including service as a World Health Organization advisor and appointment to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
The Journey
Growing up in an immigrant family in the American South, Dr. Nwanaji-Enwerem developed an early understanding that health is shaped by more than clinical care.
“I was drawn to healthcare through early experiences observing how forces beyond the clinic… shape who is able to live a healthy life.”
This perspective led him to pursue a multidisciplinary career that combines direct patient care with upstream systems change.
What This Recognition Means
For Dr. Nwanaji-Enwerem, this recognition represents both honor and responsibility.
It affirms his commitment to bridging research, clinical practice, and policy—and reinforces the importance of ensuring that scientific insight translates into real-world outcomes for communities.
What’s Next
His work continues to focus on advancing research and policy efforts that address environmental determinants of health, with a long-term vision of improving how people age and live across diverse populations.
“Leadership is less about titles and more about responsibility.”
Dr. Nwanaji-Enwerem represents a new generation of physician-leaders—those shaping not only care delivery, but the broader systems that determine health outcomes.
Connect
Instagram: @maj.in.practice
LinkedIn: Jamaji Nwanaji-Enwerem
X: @jnwanajienwerem