Hello! My name is Olivier, and I am a mathematical modeling engineer and a master's graduate in the AI for Science program at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in South Africa. Growing up in a family with limited financial means and in a village where agriculture is the main activity, I witnessed firsthand the challenges associated with healthcare access, agricultural resilience, and educational equity. Seasonal floods in my village regularly disrupt daily life and reduce farmland availability, underscoring the urgent need for climate solutions. Moreover, the education system in isolated areas like mine often suffers from deep inequalities. These lived experiences have fueled my passion for developing impactful, data-driven solutions.

To address these issues, I have focused my academic and professional journey on leveraging Artificial Intelligence and mathematical modeling to tackle challenges in healthcare, climate, and education. My journey began with an Engineering degree in mathematical modeling in Benin, where I developed a solid foundation in applied mathematics, programming, and computational thinking. This led me to receive the prestigious Google DeepMind Scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in AI for Science at AIMS, where I gained advanced expertise in Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and AI, with applications across scientific disciplines.

I am currently pursuing a research master's degree at SACEMA (South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis), where my work focuses on polio immunity estimation and outbreak risk assessment across Africa. This project aims to develop robust and user-friendly tools—including an R package for data analysts and a Shiny application for frontline health workers—to estimate population immunity levels. These tools are designed to flexibly accommodate data from countries with varying vaccination schedules, making them adaptable to a wide range of epidemiological contexts. In addition to supporting surveillance efforts, my work contributes to better preparedness for potential (re)emergence of poliovirus on the continent.

My long-term vision is to continue building ethical, context-sensitive AI solutions that empower vulnerable communities, drive better policy, and create sustainable impact both locally and globally.