Wilfred Luke Komakech is a PhD student in Cultural Anthropology at The Ohio State University, specializing in Medical Anthropology, Migration, and Post-Conflict Recovery. His research integrates cultural and health studies to address the complexities faced by displaced populations.

Komakech's work is informed by his personal experiences and academic background, including a Master's degree in Cultural Anthropology and a Graduate Certificate in Disaster, Displacement, and Human Rights from the University of Tennessee. He has over a decade of experience in leading projects that integrate cultural understanding into humanitarian and development efforts.

Komakech has over a decade of experience in leading innovative peacebuilding and livelihood projects in Uganda. As Program Director at Grassroots Reconciliation Group, he provides strategic leadership for the organization’s initiatives in Uganda. Previously, he served as Program Manager at Diocesan Development Services – North Karamoja, where he was responsible for advocacy, resource mobilization, project coordination, and networking with partners and donors. His career also includes roles as Project Director for the Christ Church Child and Youth Development Center, Academy Improvement Manager at Bridge International Academies, Project Manager and Psychosocial Support Officer at the Diocese of Northern Uganda, and Legacy Scholarship Mentor with Invisible Children Uganda.

Research Interests:

• Cultural Anthropology: Investigating cultural practices and their impact on community dynamics, identity, and social structures.
• Medical Anthropology: Exploring how cultural beliefs and practices influence health behaviors, healthcare access, and outcomes, particularly in post-conflict settings.
• Migration and Displacement: Examining the experiences of displaced populations, including refugees and internally displaced persons, and the social and cultural implications of migration.
• Peacebuilding and Livelihoods: Leading initiatives aimed at rebuilding communities affected by conflict, focusing on sustainable livelihoods and reconciliation.
• Trauma and Mental Health: Addressing the psychosocial needs of individuals affected by conflict and displacement, with an emphasis on culturally appropriate interventions.

Publications:

• Komakech, W. L. (2016). "When I die, bury me at home in Africa! U.S African immigrants’ preference for burial in ancestral land." Thanatos Journal of Thanatology, 5(2).

Komakech's work is informed by his personal experiences and academic background, including a Master's degree in Cultural Anthropology and a Graduate Certificate in Disaster, Displacement, and Human Rights from the University of Tennessee. He has over a decade of experience in leading projects that integrate cultural understanding into humanitarian and development efforts.