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Professor Isah Abubakar Aliyu is the Nigerian Principal Investigator (PI) of the HEAPO Study and Professor of Molecular and Medical Virology at Bayero University Kano, Nigeria. He is a molecular and medical virologist with extensive expertise in molecular and cell biology, molecular virology, pathogen genomics, molecular diagnostics, and genomic epidemiology.

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With more than ten years of postdoctoral research experience, Professor Aliyu has investigated complex molecular and cellular processes, including protein–protein interactions, cellular perturbations, host–pathogen interactions, gene-expression dynamics, and the molecular mechanisms underlying infectious diseases. His research integrates laboratory-based molecular approaches with genomic, bioinformatic, and translational methodologies to address major public health challenges.

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Professor Aliyu has substantial experience in research leadership and project management, having coordinated multidisciplinary and multi-country research programmes, strengthened research capacity, and supported the translation of scientific findings into practical public health outputs. He leads research and training in molecular diagnostics, pathogen genomics, bioinformatics, and sequencing at the Molecular Biology and Genome Sequencing Laboratory of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP), Bayero University Kano.

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As Nigeria’s Principal Investigator for the HEAPO Study, Professor Aliyu leads the Nigerian research team and oversees the study’s molecular and genomic research activities in collaboration with the UK Principal Investigator and the wider international HEAPO consortium. His responsibilities encompass study implementation, laboratory research, data generation and interpretation, research-capacity strengthening, and multidisciplinary and international collaboration.

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A key focus of Professor Aliyu’s work is translating scientific evidence into policy and public-health practice. Through engagement with policymakers, health institutions, researchers, and other stakeholders, he works to ensure that evidence generated through HEAPO and related research contributes to practical recommendations, stronger health policy and planning, improved prevention and response strategies, and evidence-based interventions. His work ultimately aims to contribute to improved maternal and child health outcomes in Nigeria and other resource-limited settings