Maynard Okereke

Maynard Okereke - Scientist & Engineer

Maynard Okereke, aka the Hip Hop M.D., is an award-winning science communicator, civil engineer, performer, and lifelong athlete who brings science to life through the lens of pop culture, entertainment, and exploration. A former NCAA Division I track athlete and long-distance runner, Maynard knows firsthand what it means to train like a warrior, mentally and physically, and how science underpins everything from performance to endurance to grit.

With a degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from the University of Washington and a lifelong obsession with nature, physiology, and psychology, Maynard uses his platform Hip Hop Science to break down complex STEM topics in a way that’s smart, accessible, and wildly entertaining. Whether he’s analyzing what makes WWE wrestlers world-class athletes or comparing ancient warriors like Genghis Khan and Napoleon through biomechanics and battlefield strategy, Maynard brings precision, charisma, and creative flair to every conversation.

He’s driven by a deep curiosity and a “positive skeptic” mindset,  constantly asking “what if?” and challenging assumptions. He’s created viral science content used in classrooms across the country, has driven lunar rovers at AstroLabs, explored the Amazon rainforest in search of new species, and built a career connecting physiology, psychology, and survival.