Professor Olaoluwa Pheabian Akinwale

Olaoluwa Pheabian Akinwale is a Professor of Parasitology and the former Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, where she leads research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). She is a founding member of the World Health Organization’s African Region Skin NTD Laboratory Network and has held visiting professor positions internationally. Currently, she also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Lead City University in Nigeria. Professor Akinwale is actively involved in several prestigious organizations related to NTDs, providing policy recommendations and serving on various committees. These include the Africa Buruli ulcer Laboratory Network (BU-LABNET), the World Health Organization's Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Neglected Tropical Diseases (STAG-NTD), the African Research Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ARNTD), and the TDR Global Research Mentorship Working Group, which has developed Institutional Research Mentorship Guidelines for low- and middle-income countries. As a dedicated mentor, she has supported many early-career researchers in securing funding for their studies. Additionally, she serves as an expert reviewer for international research funding agencies and is a member of the editorial boards of scientific journals. Throughout her career, Professor Akinwale has received numerous research grants and fellowships, including funding to establish the Buruli ulcer Reference Laboratory to support the National Control Programme in Nigeria, with the aim of improving diagnosis and treatment for affected patients. Moreover, she is a trustee of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and recently hosted its first West African Regional Meeting at her institution.