Dr Muhammed Afolabi MBBS, MPH, PhD, FWACP, FHEA, FFPH
Clinical Associate Professor
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Keppel Street
London
WC1E 7HT
United Kingdom
Muhammed joined LSHTM in 2016 to work on the School's Ebola vaccine project based in Kambia, northern Sierra Leone, where he led the preparations and conduct of the paediatric components of the trials; the findings of which contributed to the approval of the novel two-dose Ebola vaccine regimen (ZABDENO/MVABEA) by the European Medicines Agency and pre-qualification by the World Health Organization.
Muhammed’s research antecedents at the MRC Unit, The Gambia (MRCG) from 2009-2016 were in the evaluation of HIV and malaria vaccines in adult and paediatric populations. He led the collaborative trial involving MRCG and Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Senegal to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of malaria vaccines when co-administered with routine childhood immunisations in infants and neonates.
Muhammed has a track record of developing innovative solutions to address the unmet needs of the populations he works with. For example, to address the perennial challenges faced when communicating essential research information to low-literacy research participants, Muhammed developed and evaluated in a randomised controlled trial a simplified alternative method of delivering consent information using a locally designed multimedia tool which integrated video, animations and audio narrations in local languages. This study formed the basis of his highly regarded PhD, which he passed without requiring any corrections from the Examiners. The multimedia consent tool has changed the way informed consent procedure is conducted at MRCG and deservedly led to the award of prizes including MRCG Director's Award in 2013 and MRC Chief Executive Officer Award in 2014.
Muhammed is an experienced provider of technical support for clinical research, public health and epidemiological strategies to health organisations focused on operational and clinical research activities. He is experienced in managing multiple research projects including clinical operations, study timelines, resources, budget, risk mitigation and quality assurance plans. Muhammed serves on several committees including the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) Working Group on COVID-19 vaccines and the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. He is also an Academic Editor of the PLOS Global Public Health.
Muhammed is currently working on a prestigious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, designed to tackle the difficult and novel challenges posed by co-endemicity of malaria and helminths in a high-risk paediatric population in West Africa by investigating the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating helminth control with seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC). This adventurous programme will hopefully lead to the implementation of an increasingly recognised WHO strategy of an integrated, non-disease-specific approach to the elimination of malaria and helminths, which could help to achieve SDG3 by 2030.
Affiliations
Centres
Teaching
Muhammed has successfully completed the prescribed modules of Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching at the LSHTM and has become a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). He has a wide range of teaching activities, which include:
Applying Public Health Principles in Developing Countries (MSc Public Health for Development)
Neglected Tropical Diseases Module 3465 (MSc Control of Infectious Diseases)
Control of Infectious Diseases - IDM 104 (MSc Control of Infectious Diseases)
Examiner for MSc, PG Diploma and PG Certificate in Infectious Diseases
Supervision of Masters and PhD students
Master’s degree supervision
SN
Name
Title of project
Year & Institution
Status
1.
Jeanne Sophie Ndiaye
Integrated Geospatial Analysis of Schistosomiasis Burden and Risk Factors to Optimize Targeted Implementation of Paediatric Praziquantel Treatment Programs in Senegal
MSc Control of Infectious Diseases, LSHTM, 2023/24
Ongoing
2.
Nembulefack Derick Kemndah
Impact of Climate Change on health in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: A systematic review with Meta-Analysis
MSc Public Health for Development, LSHTM, 2023/24
Ongoing
3.
Osei Owusu
Comparative Safety and Effectiveness of Anti-Malarial Preventive Treatment in Infants: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
MSc Control of Infectious Diseases, LSHTM, 2022/23
Completed
4.
Harriet Ume
Effects of malaria-helminths co-infections on anaemia in children and pregnant women living in East Africa.
MSc Control of Infectious Diseases, LSHTM, 2021/22
Completed
5.
Kelly Parliament
MSc Control Infectious Diseases, LSHTM, 2022/23
Completed
6.
Catey Laube MacDonald
Understanding vaccine hesitancy in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review to identify policy and planning priorities for improved immunization coverage
MSc Control of Infectious Diseases, LSHTM, 2021/22
Completed
7.
Fabiana Monti
Safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of meningococcal C vaccine in children with vertical HIV infection: a systematic review
MSc Control of Infectious Diseases, LSHTM, 2017/18
Completed
8.
Gibbi Sey
Informed consent process in non-literate participants in Clinical Trials in the context of The Gambia
MSc Clinical Trials, University of Edinburgh, UK, 2015/16
Completed
9.
Tijan Baldeh
Knowledge, attitude and practices of Edward Francis Small Teaching hospital staff on occupational exposure and risk of HIV infection
MPH, School of Medicines & Allied Health Sciences, University of The Gambia, 2015/16
Completed
Doctoral degree supervision
1.
Lubna Al-Ariqi
Thesis: Exploring the roles inter-governmental public health institutions can play in improving data sharing during public health emergencies between national authorities and the international community.
OPA: Strengthening inter-governmental collaborations in the Arabian Gulf for public health emergency preparedness: Roles of the newly established Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and Control
DrPH, LSHTM, 2023/24
Ongoing
2
Samuel Adusi
Determinants of malaria-helminth co-infections and effect of SMC drugs and anthelmintics co-administration among school-age children in Pru East district, Ghana
University of Ghana 2024/25
Ongoing
3.
Mohd Syafiq bin Yahya
Thesis: Understanding the impact of diabetes mellitus control on Tuberculosis treatment outcomes: a mixed methods comparative analysis.
OPA: Identifying barriers towards the implementation of ‘Generational End Game Policy’ (GEG) for tobacco control policy in Malaysia
DrPH, LSHTM, 2024/25
4.
Elvis Dansi
Thesis: Feasibility and effectiveness of using point-of-care testing for creatinine on renal disease outcomes of PLWHIV in Cameroon
OPA: The Role of International Non-Profit Organization in Shaping Government Public Health Policies in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: The case of The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) country office in Cameroon
DrPH, LSHTM, 2024/25
Ongoing
5.
Bolarinde J. Lawal
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on laboratory analysis system in sub-Saharan African Countries: in search of lessons for potential future pandemic
PhD, College of Medicine & Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, 2023/24
Ongoing
7.
El hadji Babacar Fall
Transmission dynamics of malaria in Senegalese children co-infected with Schistosomiasis
University of Thies, Senegal 2021/22
Ongoing