As climate change heightens the risk of infectious diseases worldwide, Nigerian-born researcher Oladimeji Mudele is gaining recognition for pioneering efforts in developing early warning systems that use satellite imagery, geospatial data, and artificial intelligence (AI) to predict and prevent outbreaks.
Mudele's groundbreaking work, which has already shaped public health responses in Africa, Latin America, and beyond, grew out of his experiences growing up in Nigeria. He recalls witnessing the devastating effects of malaria and other diseases on communities with limited access to healthcare. "That experience made it clear to me that we need smarter, proactive systems to help governments prepare for and mitigate outbreaks before they happen," he said in an interview.
During his doctoral research at the University of Pavia in Italy, Mudele led a European Commission-funded Horizon 2020 project, EOXPOSURE, which produced an AI-driven model capable of predicting dengue virus outbreaks at neighborhood level using satellite data. The model was successfully tested in Brazil, one of the world's dengue hotspots, and has since been integrated into the country's National Dengue Control Program, providing authorities with a critical tool to anticipate and respond to outbreaks.
By combining big data analytics, geospatial mapping, and climate variables such as temperature, vegetation, and water bodies, Mudele's system identifies patterns that influence the spread of diseases. Statistical modeling then refines these predictions, offering health authorities actionable insights that improve resource allocation and save lives.
The researcher believes Africa stands at the cusp of a major transformation in disease surveillance. With more Earth observation satellite missions on the horizon and governments investing in data infrastructure, he foresees a surge in high-quality environmental and health data that could power robust early warning systems. "These systems will be central to climate change response strategies and health resource planning," Mudele noted.
Beyond his academic work, Mudele is applying his expertise to real-world challenges. He is currently part of a Harvard-led consortium working with the government of Madagascar to design a climate-smart public health system. The initiative is building a clinic-level database that links climate conditions to diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, and malnutrition, with plans to expand the model to other African countries facing similar challenges.
Mudele also actively engages policymakers, urging them to integrate climate change mitigation into health planning. Through case studies and evidence-based research, he demonstrates how early warning systems can be cost-effective and life-saving, offering governments a roadmap to resilience in the face of climate-linked health crises.
Experts say his approach exemplifies the growing role of technology in public health. "What Oladimeji is doing is bridging the gap between data science and policy in a way that directly impacts communities," said a senior epidemiologist familiar with his work.
As global health systems continue to grapple with the twin challenges of climate change and infectious disease, Mudele's innovations stand as a beacon of what is possible when technology, science, and policy converge.