Employing institution: Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
Host institution: Middlesex University in London
Project title:
Applying Machine Learning to Investigate Malaria Risk Factors in Southwest Nigeria
Dr. Afolayan, an early career researcher, attained her PhD in Computer Science in 2019. Subsequently, she has been actively engaged in both teaching and research roles within the Department of Information Systems at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in Nigeria. Her academic pursuits are characterized by a keen interest in the application of artificial intelligence to address biomedical challenges. Her endeavors aim to bridge the realms of computer science and healthcare, thereby fostering synergistic advancements in both fields.
AREF Fellowship research project
Given the persistent prevalence of malaria as a significant global health concern, particularly notable in Nigeria where it accounts for 30% of global malaria-related mortality. The inquiry arises: What are the key risk factors associated with the transmission of malaria disease, and how can risk maps be utilized to identify high-risk areas in Nigeria? Dr. Afolayan aims to answer these questions by investigating malaria risk factors using epidemiological and climatic datasets to develop risk maps highlighting areas with the highest malaria risk. Following the fellowship, she plans to utilize deep learning methods to forecast malaria incidence, assessing the model’s effectiveness and integrating it into web-based solutions for early hotspot identification and targeted interventions to mitigate malaria effectively. Dr Afolayan aims to gain a profound scientific understanding of employing artificial intelligence to predict malaria incidence in her country. After completing her placement, her home institution will provide support through mentorship, resources, and collaboration. Beyond her fellowship, she aims to bolster grant acquisition skills to advance malaria research globally, while fostering knowledge exchange among emerging African scientists.
Quote
“Artificial Intelligence, a transformative force in confronting urgent global health challenges like malaria, propelling impactful strides toward a healthier future.”
Dr Abimbola expects to start her fellowship in November 2024