Nigerian scientist Hilary Akpu has made a groundbreaking contribution to global research by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the study of worm behavior, reshaping how scientists analyze animal interactions.
For decades, the tiny nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has been central to research in genetics, neurobiology, and environmental science. However, tracking these microscopic creatures has always been a time-consuming and tedious task. Akpu and his team have changed the game by developing an AI-powered system that automates worm tracking, dramatically improving efficiency and accuracy while saving researchers countless hours.
AI Meets Biology: A Game-Changer in Scientific Discovery
At the heart of Akpu’s innovation is YOLOv8, a cutting-edge object detection model that enables real-time identification and tracking of individual worms, eliminating the need for manual observation.
But he didn’t stop there. His team enhanced DeepSORT, a leading object-tracking algorithm, boosting tracking accuracy by an impressive 77%—an extraordinary achievement in AI-assisted research.
The system also features an intelligent contact detection tool that precisely identifies physical interactions between male and female worms, a crucial aspect of mating studies. With advanced mathematical modeling, Akpu’s research calculates exact distances between worms, ensuring unparalleled accuracy in behavioral analysis. The inclusion of the Segment Anything Model (SAM) further refines object localization and segmentation, making the study even more precise.
From Nigeria to the World: Akpu’s AI Innovations
A graduate of Mountain Top University (MTU) in Ogun State, with an MSc from the University of Reading, UK, Akpu has also made significant strides in AI beyond biological research. His contributions include:
- Developing novel AI models for character-consistent image generation
- Implementing LLM algorithms to enhance medical diagnosis classification
- Creating a Python emailing package with 15,000+ downloads in three years
- Launching a vaccination notification app, which increased vaccination rates among infants
A Milestone for AI Research in Nigeria
Hilary Akpu’s work is more than just a scientific breakthrough—it’s a testament to Nigeria’s rising influence in AI-driven research. His innovation could transform biological studies worldwide, accelerating research into mating behaviors, genetics, and environmental impact assessments.
