EMD Student Spotlight series: Afeez Sodeinde

This series spotlights the amazing students in the YSPH Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (EMD) program. This month, we focus on students conducting research on infectious diseases in different labs in the department. Here, PhD student Afeez Sodeinde tells us about the program and some of his exciting research in the Vogels Lab and Grubaugh Lab.

Afeez: I’m a PhD student in Microbiology at the Yale School of Medicine, co-mentored by Nathan Grubaugh and Chantal Vogels at the Yale School of Public Health. My long-term goal is to apply evolutionary biology to the study of infectious disease epidemiology. When I first met with my current advisors to learn about their research, I found that their work aligned perfectly with my interests and aspirations—this motivated me to join the EMD Department at Yale.

My research focuses on the evolution of dengue, exploring how epidemiology has shaped virus diversity. Furthermore, I study how this diversity affects Wolbachia-based control methods. I also experimentally study how Wolbachia influences the virus intrahost variation of dengue.

One of the key findings from my research is that the success of using Wolbachia can depend on which strain of the dengue virus is circulating. Some virus strains seem to resist Wolbachia better than others and could, therefore, make it harder to use this strategy in different geographic regions or over a long period of time. Additionally, when we tested two commonly used Wolbachia strains side by side, one showed stronger inhibition than the other. These results are important for public health because they highlight the need to carefully match control strategies to the types of virus and conditions in each region, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

I'm most excited by advances in structural biology prediction tools, especially their increasing accessibility for high-throughput analysis of viral dynamics. Applying these tools to uncover molecular mechanisms that influence virus spread could transform our understanding and control of infectious diseases.

I anticipate expanded Wolbachia field trials, with greater emphasis on the genetic diversity of circulating viruses and their response to different Wolbachia strains. Integrating an experimental approach early on could help identify which dengue strains are most susceptible and which Wolbachia strain is most appropriate for release. I hope my work will guide more tailored, effective deployment strategies in vector control programs.

The EMD Department’s legacy in arbovirology has laid the solid foundation for my research topic. Additionally, getting essential departmental fundings has enabled cross-institutional collaborations that expanded my technical tools, scientific acumen, and the real-world applicability of my research.

I encourage prospective students to reach out to current students to hear about their experiences. I’ve found the EMD faculty to be highly engaged and generous with their time, fostering meaningful exchanges of ideas with students. It’s a supportive, collaborative environment—ideal for trainees’ professional growth.