Dr. Ekokobe Fonkem, DO

Clinical Trials

• Nativis Voyager for Newly Diagnosed GBM
• Effect of TTFields (150 kHz) in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients With 1-10 Brain Metastases Following Radiosurgery (METIS)
• A Feasibility Study of the Nativis Voyager® System in Patients With Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

Media Releases

Get to know Neurologist Dr. Ekokobe Fonkem, who serves patients in Phoenix, Arizona.

Seasoned neurologist, Dr. Fonkem, is the Director of Neuro-Oncology & an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at Barrow Neurological Institute. His specialties include: astrocytoma, brain tumors, colloid cyst, glioblastoma multiforme, and meningioma.

Located in Phoenix, Arizona, Barrow Neurological Institute is the world’s largest neurological disease treatment and research institution. Consistently ranked as one of the best neurosurgical training centers in the United States, it offers care for people from throughout the world with brain and spine diseases, disorders, and injuries. 

The mission of Barrow Neurological Institute is “To advance the knowledge and practice of medicine in neuroscience through basic and clinical research, education of medical professionals, and innovation in clinical techniques and technology.”

Involved in basic, translational and clinical research on both primary and metastatic brain cancers as well as their neurological complications, Dr. Fonkem is the Director of the Brain Tumor Center at Baylor Scott & White Health Care.

In addition, he is the CEO and Founder of an NGO called “Healing Beyond The Horizon” which is dedicated to providing medical care, and clean drinking water in underprivileged communities in Cameroon, West Africa.

Academically, Dr. Fonkem graduated with his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2007. He completed his internship and residency in neurology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, and his fellowship in neuro-oncology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Subsequent to his education, he attained board certification in neurology through the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry (AOBPN). The AOBNP is an organization that provides board certification to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine who specialize in disorders of the nervous system (neurologists) and to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders (psychiatrists).

Advancing his professional efforts, Dr. Fonkem is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Society for Neuro-Oncology, the Society of Neuro-Oncology Sub Saharan Africa (Co-Founder and Executive Member of the Steering Committee), the NIH Brain Tumor Trials Collaborative, the Neuro Rehab Group, the National Meningioma Network (Board Member), and the COVID-19 and Cancer Research Consortium.

The doctor’s research interests include brain tumor biomarkers in blood and saliva, new drug treatments for brain cancer, vulnerable populations with brain cancer, global oncology, and quality-of-life challenges in people with brain tumors. He established and leads the neuro-oncological observational fellowship program for Africa, with the goal of teaching Sub Saharan African physicians to deliver evidence-based, high-quality neuro-oncologic care.

Having published extensively in the area of general neurology and neuro-oncology, Dr. Fonkem has also lectured extensively in various universities in the United States, Asia, and Africa. He is currently pursuing a year-long fellowship with the American Society of Clinical Oncology where his focus is on cancer leadership, cancer advocacy, and global oncology outreach.

Neurology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Neurologists are licensed medical specialists who diagnose and treat disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles of patients. They examine a patient’s mental and physical status, conduct medical tests and scans, and evaluate the results to diagnose and treat the patient.

Among Dr. Fonkem’s most notable achievements include: appointed to Grant Selection Committee, Conquer Cancer Foundation, 2018; Leadership Development Fellowship, American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2017-2018; Marnie Rose Foundation Award for Brain Tumor Research and Community Engagement, 2016; Marnie Rose Foundation Award for Brain Tumor Research, 2014; Outstanding Alumni Award, University of Wisconsin – Fox Valley, 2012; Scholar Award, National Institutes of Health and National Medical Association, 2011; Resident Research of the Year Award, The Ohio State University, Department of Neurology, 2010; Best Biochemistry Student, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2003; Minority International Research Fellow Award, National Institutes of Health and University of Dar Es Salaam, 2002; Summer Research Fellowship Award, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2001; Minority Medical Education Fellowship Award, Case Western Reserve University, 2000; Scholar Award, American Chemical Society, 1999-2002; and Douglas Salmon Scholarship Award, University of Wisconsin – Fox Valley, 1999-2000.

Recommended Articles

• Absence Epilepsy

  Epilepsy is a disorder of the nervous system that causes seizures. Absence seizures, also called petit mal seizures, are brief seizures which usually last for 15 seconds or less. These seizures are so short that symptoms may not even be noticed. However, if an absence seizure is accompanied by loss...

• In Plain Sight: Vision Changes Linked to Parkinson’s Disease

  Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive movement disorder that affects the nervous system. It is characterized by gradual death and breakdown of nerve cells in the brain resulting in the decreased production of a chemical messenger called dopamine. Reduced dopamine levels cause abnormal...

• Common Multiple Sclerosis Treatments: An Overview

  A debilitating disease that was once the face of a crushing and “hopeless” diagnosis has evolved from having one effective treatment to multiple effective treatments. Longtime sufferers who didn’t respond to one medication now have options to try others, to participate in a clinical trial or...

• How Is Stroke Diagnosed?

  A stroke is often diagnosed by conducting physical examination tests and studying brain images produced during scans. Your doctor will try to find all the information regarding the symptoms of stroke. In addition, the doctor will carry out a number of tests to ascertain if you have a stroke. The...

• Discover the Fundraiser Dedicated to Finding a Cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

  Duchenne is one of the lesser-known degenerative diseases which revolves mainly around rapidly-progressing muscular dystrophy and belongs to the same category as similar conditions — such as Becker Muscular Dystrophy — though it is usually one of the most aggressive variations. The disease...

• Experiencing Multiple Sclerosis During Pregnancy

  Many people living with MS face everyday challenges such as muscle spasms, numbness, extreme fatigue, mood changes, and more. Women who live with MS and who want to start a family might be wondering if pregnancy would be healthy for them.Of course, while this is a natural response, the chances of...