Nigerian scientist Hilary Akpu has put the country on the global research map with his groundbreaking study on worm mating behaviour, using artificial intelligence (AI) to transform biological research.
His pioneering work introduces a revolutionary approach that enhances the understanding of animal behaviour, with far-reaching implications across genetics, neurobiology, and environmental science.
AI-Powered Breakthrough in Worm Tracking
For years, scientists have relied on the microscopic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model organism in biological research. However, manually tracking these tiny worms has been a time-consuming challenge. Akpu and his team tackled this problem by developing an advanced AI-powered system that automates worm tracking, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy while saving researchers countless hours.
At the core of his breakthrough is YOLOv8, an advanced object detection model that enables real-time identification and tracking of individual worms in recorded footage, eliminating the need for manual observation.
But Akpu didn’t stop there. His team also enhanced DeepSORT, a leading object-tracking algorithm, boosting tracking accuracy by an unprecedented 77%. This improvement marks a major step forward in the automated study of animal behaviour.
Additionally, the system includes an intelligent contact detection feature that precisely identifies physical interactions between male and female worms—an essential aspect of mating studies. By applying sophisticated mathematical models, Akpu’s research calculates exact distances between worms to analyse interactions with exceptional accuracy. The Segment Anything Model (SAM) further refines object localisation and segmentation, enhancing analysis precision.
A Multifaceted Innovator
Beyond his AI-driven biological research, Akpu has made significant contributions to technology and healthcare. A graduate of Mountain Top University (MTU), Ogun State, with an MSc from the University of Reading, UK, he has:
• Developed AI image generation models that maintain character consistency.
• Implemented LLM algorithms to classify diagnoses and reduce data loss for a company.
• Created a Python emailing package, which has seen over 15,000 downloads in three years.
• Designed a vaccination notification app, which increased vaccination rates among infants.
Advancing AI Research in Nigeria
Akpu’s innovation is not just a scientific milestone—it’s a testament to Nigeria’s growing influence in AI research. His work has the potential to transform biological studies, accelerating research into mating behaviours, genetic patterns, and environmental impact assessments.
With such advancements, Nigeria continues to solidify its position as a hub for AI-driven scientific discoveries, proving that local researchers can lead on the global stage.
