Communication Program faculty member Asst. Prof. Maurice Jitty Villaester represented the Philippines at the Modeling for Infectious Disease in Southeast Asia (MIDSEA) FIESTA workshop held from May 4 to 8, 2026 in Krabi, Thailand.
The workshop gathered researchers, educators, and practitioners from across Southeast Asia to discuss infectious disease modeling, regional research collaboration, policy impact strategies, capability-building initiatives, teaching incubation, and grant development.
Villaester participated alongside teaching and research faculty from the University of the Philippines Diliman, University of the Philippines Los Baños, and University of the Philippines Manila.
Throughout the five-day workshop, participants engaged in subgroup discussions, roadmap planning, and lectures on heterogeneous populations, environmental datasets, contact patterns, and research collaboration strategies. The event also served as a platform for developing interdisciplinary and regional partnerships in Southeast Asia.