Fellow Highlights

NOT ON MY RESUME: Jamaji C. Nwanaji-Enwerem

March 11, 2026

Jamaji C. Nwanaji-Enwerem is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He also serves as the Executive Director of ELND, a community environmental education/improvement organization. He has served as a member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, the White House Office of Public Engagement Roundtables on Clinical Innovation and Health Equity, the World Health Organization technical advisory group for the occupational burden of disease estimation, and the International Society of Exposure Science Board of Directors. The PD Soros Fellowship supported Jamaji’s MD/PhD/MPP at Harvard in 2018. Born in Nigeria, Jamajiimmigrated to North Carolina with his parents when he was an infant..

Why did you (or your family) come to America? My parents and I came to the United States to pursue educational opportunities and to use that education to uplift others. Higher education for community service remains the central pillar of our immigration story.

Which living New American do you most admire? I most admire my parents, whose example inspired me as a child and continues to teach me today. Their lives reflect the strength and possibility of the New American journey.

What is your current state of mind? My current state of mind is resolute. I often think of my father’s reminder of the scripture in Matthew 9:37 that “the harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few.” This verse keeps me focused on the work still needed to improve the world and on my calling to help.

When was the last time you felt imposter syndrome? I try not to frame experiences through imposter syndrome, because I find it more useful to reflect honestly on both strengths and weaknesses. That balance helps me stay grounded and focused on continuous self‑improvement.

What is your greatest fear? I also do not like to focus on fear, but I am deeply motivated by the responsibility I feel to use my skills in meaningful ways. That responsibility pushes me to stay committed to learning and service.

If you could change careers and do anything, what would it be? I find myself constantly integrating artistic approaches into my medical, research, and policy work because the arts offer a uniquely powerful way to reach and connect with people. So, if given another choice, I might explore something in the arts more fully.

What is your idea of a good life? I don’t have a single answer for this question as the context matters (i.e. professional versus personal). But in short, to me, a good life is grounded in connection and in leaving people and places better than I found them.

What is the one habit that you can’t live without? Regular exercise (running, lifting weights, or even a casual walk) is the habit I cannot live without. It takes me outdoors, clears my head, and contributes to my physical well-being.

What one piece of advice do you live by? The Igbo proverb “nwayo nwayo ka e ji eri ofe di oku” has guided me for as long as I can remember. I shared it when I first became a PD Soros Fellow because it captures something I try to practice daily: moving with intention, even when life feels overwhelming. Over the years, it has become a reminder to meet challenges slowly, steadily, and without losing myself in the process. It helps me approach hard moments with patience.

Who or what makes your heart beat faster when you think about them? The people of the future make my heart beat faster. Thinking about their needs and the world they will inherit inspires me to stay focused on the work I can do today.