Onyinye Mbanefo

Current Position & Affiliation: Researcher Fellow at Virginia Tech Center for Gerontology

Fellowship: Fellow of the Global Association for Research and Innovation – FeGARI (Interdisciplinary Impact)

Bio: Onyinye Mbanefo is an emerging global leader in gerontology and elder care advocacy. As Founder and Executive Director of The Onyinye Mbanefo Foundation, she advances aging equity through community-based programs empowering older adults in underserved regions. Her pioneering research on guardianship, mental health, and vulnerable adult protection has informed policy and ethical frameworks in aging care. Recognized through multiple national and international awards, Onyinye’s work has been featured in leading scientific forums, including the Gerontological Society of America and the Virginia Governor’s Conference on Aging, underscoring her distinguished contributions to improving life quality for older populations.