Abiola Senok is Professor of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine & Health Sciences (MBRU), Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She obtained her PhD from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, United Kingdom. Her research work in infectious diseases with particular focus on antimicrobial resistance has yielded novel findings on the molecular epidemiology and determinants of dissemination of multidrug resistant organisms in the Arabian Gulf region. Her research incorporates extensive use of genotyping techniques including DNA microarray-based assays, whole genome sequencing, next generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. In recent years, her work on methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus has enhanced the understanding of the unique evolution of this important drug resistant pathogen in the Arabian Gulf region. In the wider context of infectious diseases her work extends to domains of microbial pathogenicity, sexually transmitted infections, enteric pathogens, probiotics and human microbiome. As an advocate for research and education in infection control strategies, she pioneered and was inaugural program director for the first graduate program in infection prevention and control in the region. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, she has collaborated in conducting research in viral diagnostics, viral genomics, host response mechanisms, and mathematical modelling. She was lead researcher in the landmark studies on the use of saliva for COVID-19 testing. Abiola is a member of the UAE National Sub-Committee for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance, UAE COVID-19 Research Committee, and the COVID-19 Research Committee of Abu Dhabi. She is on the Expert Panel of Infectious Disease Hub (part of the Future Science Group, UK). She also serves as Senior Editor, Journal of Infection in Developing Countries and Associate Editor PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Having lived and worked across four continents, Abiola is a global citizen who enjoys developing international collaborations. As an academic, she is very passionate about mentoring the next generation of doctors and scientists.

Most research interests for a scientist

• Molecular epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance
• Microbial pathogenicity
• Human microbiome and probiotics