Obi Onyegesi is a licensed master social worker, chemical dependency counselor, and NHLBI
T32 Research Training Program Fellowship recipient. Born and raised in Campagnola Emilia,
Italy, and of Nigerian descent, Obi is multiculturally identifying, bringing a unique and
international perspective to his work. He completed his BSc in Cognitive Neuroscience at the
University of Westminster in London, UK, and later earned his MSW at the University of Texas
at Arlington, Texas. Dedicated to the eradication of disparities in cardiovascular and lung
disease-related risk, morbidity, and mortality among racialized communities, he is equally
committed to enhancing the cultural responsiveness and adaptability of Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (CBT) as an intervention for addressing mental health and smoking-related substance
misuse in these communities.
Obi’s extensive experience spans inpatient and outpatient settings, providing both direct and
macro clinical services targeting underserved communities such as BIPOC clients, LGBTQIA+-
identifying groups, neurodivergent people, as well as refugees and asylum-seekers. His
innovative approach to clinical interventions, particularly for sub-Saharan, South American, and
Middle Eastern refugees, led Obi to present and formulate specialized training to enhance the
effectiveness of such treatment modalities in conjunction with the International Rescue
Committee, showcasing his deep understanding of the unique challenges minoritized
communities face. Through his work synergized by the close guidance and mentorship of Fiona
Conway, Associate Director of Research at the Addiction Research Institute, Obi’s chief
commitment is to lifelong learning to ultimately provoke two parallel streams of change in
creating more equitable and effective mental health care systems that address the specific health
and clinical needs of marginalized black individuals living in the U.S.A. and around the world.