Dr. Oladimeji Mudele is a leading infectious disease researcher whose work has been instrumental in tackling global health threats. He has used grant funding to pioneer innovative solutions in areas like Dengue fever prediction and climate-resilient public health infrastructure.

Mudele, in this conversation with The Guardian, discussed the crucial role of grant funding in tackling infectious diseases, the lessons learned from past outbreaks, and how researchers can access funding, and leverage new technologies like AI and big data to improve preparedness and response.

How has your experience with grant funding shaped your understanding of its pivotal role in advancing research, particularly in addressing global health crises such as the COVID-19 and Ebola outbreaks?
Funders play a critical role in the research ecosystem. The advancement of science and humanity requires the commitment of significant resources towards knowledge discovery and experiments. In many cases, some of these experiments fail. What this means is that funding for research is a very high-risk endeavour. For this reason, my experience has taught me that scientists owe a lot of gratitude to governments, foundations, and other private sector actors who continue to provide the required funding for us to run our scientific experiments, share our results, and improve the world.

Can you share a specific instance where grant funding enabled you or your colleagues to make significant strides in combating a disease outbreak, leading to tangible benefits for public health?
During my doctorate at the University of Pavia, I spearheaded groundbreaking research funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 project, ‘EOXPOSURE’. Our goal was to harness advanced Earth Observation satellites to measure the exposure of populations and economic assets to various risks. A significant achievement of mine was the creation of an AI-driven model for predicting Dengue vector populations at the neighbourhood level using satellite imagery. This innovative model was rigorously tested in Brazil, a critical Dengue hotspot, and has been integrated into the Brazilian National Dengue Control Program, utilizing actual data from the country to improve public health responses.

As an award-winning scholar from reputable institutions, what strategies do you believe are most effective in securing grants that can support research aimed at improving responses to infectious disease outbreaks?
First and foremost, you must know your science very well. The most fundamental thing is to focus on doing good and impactful science, and in communicating your work to key stakeholders. Everything else will follow from there. This is my personal belief.

In addition, it is important to ensure collaboration with other scientists in the field who have good reputation and can add value to your grant proposal through additional expertise or data. Funding organizations, from my experience, pay a lot of attention to the team of scientists assembled to execute on a proposed project. This is why it is critical to ensure you have the right team assembled to lead your grant proposal alongside yourself.

It’s crucial to carefully review the grant or fellowship application guidelines and follow every instruction regarding formatting and structure. Funders often have requirements for how applications should be presented, and adhering to these details can significantly impact the success of your submission.

In your view, how can researchers ensure that grants are utilized in ways that have a meaningful impact on public health outcomes during disease outbreaks, like the COVID-19 pandemic or the Ebola crisis?
In my experience, there are critical strategies to consider for effectively utilizing grants in public health. First and foremost, it’s essential to channel funds into the preparedness and capacity building of public health systems continuously, not just in response to an outbreak. This proactive approach ensures resilience and readiness even during calm periods.

Moreover, given the link between extreme weather events driven by climate change, and the rise of disease outbreaks, there should be a concerted effort to direct more funding and research efforts towards creating climate-resilient public health infrastructures, particularly in low- and middle-income countries that bear the brunt of these events.

Can you share an example of how your work, supported by grant funding, has contributed to achieving specific SDGs, such as those related to good health and well-being, sustainable cities and communities, or climate action?
Much of my research has been aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 11, 13, and 15. For instance, I have developed an AI-based method to map urban green spaces from spaceborne data, which supports the achievement of SDG 3, promoting good health and well-being, and SDG 11, aimed at building sustainable cities and communities. Furthermore, my study on developing neighbourhood-level forecasts of Dengue virus risks using a neural network which was funded by the European Commission’s H2020 project named ‘EOXPOSURE’ contributes to SDGs 3, 11, 13, which is about taking urgent action to combat climate change, and 15, protecting life on land. These mentioned works, while focused on certain goals, indirectly supports other SDGs as well.

How do you think the research community can learn from past experiences, such as the response to the Ebola outbreak, to better prepare for and respond to future disease outbreaks through grant-funded initiatives?
The research community can draw valuable lessons from past outbreaks like Ebola to enhance future preparedness and responses through grant-funded initiatives that focus on real-world applications in public health systems. Critical to this is investing in robust health infrastructure and early detection systems in vulnerable regions, fostering community engagement for trust-building and compliance with public health measures, and establishing rapid-response frameworks. More grants should focus on these areas, as well as on flexible funding mechanisms that allow for swift allocation of resources where they are needed most.
Additionally, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and open data sharing can spur innovation and ensure that the global research community is well-equipped to manage emergent health threats efficiently.

What role do you see AI and big data playing in enhancing the effectiveness of research projects funded by grants, particularly in the context of disease outbreak response?
AI, big data, and satellite imagery are changing how public health surveillance and outbreak response can be done. AI algorithms can process vast datasets rapidly to identify patterns and predict outbreak trends, facilitating quicker and more accurate decision-making. Big data enables the real-time surveillance of disease spread, allowing researchers to dynamically allocate resources and tailor interventions to affected populations. Furthermore, on the healthcare service and therapy side of things, AI can streamline the development of new diagnostics and treatments by accelerating the analysis of clinical data. Ultimately, the synergy of AI, big data, and satellite imagery fosters a proactive rather than reactive approach to public health emergencies, leading to more resilient global health systems.

What challenges did you encounter while seeking or applying for grants and how did you overcome them?
I faced multiple challenges while searching for grants and fellowships. Initially, identifying grants and fellowships that are aligned with my research interests required meticulous search strategies. Writing proposals that stood out amidst intense competition was another hurdle. I overcame this hurdle through many years of practice. I continue to practice so that I can get better.

In general, to get into competitive fellowships or grants, I always ensure I read the application guidelines deeply and try to tailor my portfolio to these guidelines. I also constantly seek feedback from successful grantees and I have participated in grant writing workshops to refine my skills. Establishing a network of collaborators also enhanced the breadth and depth of grants I can contribute to as a co-investigator.

How can researchers ensure that grant funds are allocated efficiently and equitably to projects that have the potential to significantly impact public health outcomes during disease outbreaks?
I am committed to tackling problems I am passionate about and seek support from funders and advisors who share this vision. While funding agencies primarily handle the efficient and equitable allocation of funds, I believe that as researchers, our role includes actively engaging with these funders and public health practitioners. It’s crucial to effectively communicate the significance and potential impact of our work, establishing trust and justifying the need for funding. This dialogue helps ensure that our research can secure the necessary support, enabling us to contribute meaningfully to public health, particularly during disease outbreaks.

What advice would you give to researchers seeking to utilize grants to develop innovative solutions for preventing or mitigating the impact of future disease outbreaks, based on your own experiences in this area?
Based on my experiences, I’d advise researchers to focus first on understanding the specific needs and gaps in the current response to disease outbreaks. When seeking grants, tailor your proposals to address these needs with clear, innovative solutions and measurable outcomes. Collaboration is key, so build a strong, multidisciplinary team that can bring diverse expertise to the project.

Lastly, establish solid partnerships with public health officials and communities to ensure your innovations are grounded and can be effectively implemented where they are most needed.

Given the lessons learned from past outbreaks and the ongoing challenges posed by emerging pathogens, how do you envision the future of grant funding for research into infectious diseases?
Drawing from past outbreaks and current threats, I see the future of grant funding for infectious disease research evolving towards rapid-response models and flexibility in funding structures to allow for swift shifts in focus as new threats emerge. There will likely be increased investment in predictive analytics, vaccine research, and novel therapeutics. Furthermore, grants will probably emphasize strengthening health systems, especially in regions that are traditionally underserved and are more exposed to the ills of climate change. Collaboration across borders and disciplines will increasingly become a funding requirement, as it will be key in addressing global challenges. The importance of integrating environmental and social determinants of health into infectious disease research, especially using satellite image data, is going to grow even faster, ensuring a more robust approach to preparedness, adaptation, and mitigation.

Finally, what do you believe are the key factors that contribute to the success of grant-funded research projects aimed at addressing environmental and public health challenges, and how can researchers leverage these factors successfully?
From my personal experience, key factors for the success of grant-funded projects tackling environmental and public health challenges include well-defined goals, innovative problem-solving, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strong stakeholder communication. Effective data utilization and a focus on sustainable, long-term impacts are also crucial. Researchers can leverage these factors by creating clear, actionable plans, engaging with diverse partners, and ensuring findings are transparently shared and applied to real-world scenarios, all while keeping sustainability at the core of their activities.