Imagine a world where infectious diseases like COVID-19 are quickly detected and contained, thanks to the ingenuity of young scientists. This vision is becoming a reality, as demonstrated by the recent 13th Regional Congress Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists (SSYS). This event highlights how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education is being harnessed to advance the One Health initiative—a global movement dedicated to improving public health by recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

What is One Health and Why is it Important?

The One Health concept is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach—working at local, regional, national, and global levels—with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes by recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. In an increasingly globalized world, where zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted between animals and humans) like COVID-19, avian influenza, and Ebola are becoming more prevalent, the One Health approach is more critical than ever. By integrating disciplines and sectors, One Health aims to prevent and mitigate health issues at the source, ensuring a healthier world for all living beings.

STEM Innovations Driving One Health Forward

Organised by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics (SEAMEO RECSAM) in Penang, Malaysia, the 13th SSYS Congress showcased how STEM education is being put to work to support the One Health initiative. The event brought together 315 talented students, teacher advisors, and observers from across Southeast Asia to present STEM-based solutions aimed at promoting the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

Under the theme “Youth for One Health through STEM Innovations,” participants from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand presented 101 groundbreaking projects. These projects emphasised the critical role of young people in driving One Health forward by applying STEM knowledge to address complex global health challenges.

The panel of judges, led by Chief Judge Dr. Pamela Anne Knight from Newcastle University Medicine in Malaysia, was highly impressed by the exceptional standard of entries. The research projects were evaluated based on various criteria, including originality and ingenuity, scientific and mathematical thought, research method and process, societal impact, educational and commercial value, among others, as well as the insights provided by the student-researchers. Each finalist team delivered captivating presentations, showcasing their creativity through experiments and demonstrations that brought scientific theories to life.

Highlighting Excellence in One Health STEM Projects

The Most Promising Young Scientists Award was given to Justin A. Pacayra and Arnold Jr. Hipolito from Naga City Science High School in the Philippines for their project “Eye-Rin: Utilisation of Deep Learning Algorithms for Real-Time Camera Recognition of Persons with Zoonotic Disease through Eye Images.” This innovative project combines advanced mathematics, computer science, and health science to develop a machine learning model that detects patterns in eye images of individuals infected with zoonotic diseases.

By leveraging deep learning algorithms, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNN), the project aims to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of diagnosing zoonotic infections through computer vision. This could significantly improve early detection and containment of infectious diseases, preventing their spread within communities and enhancing public health preparedness for epidemic and pandemic outbreaks. The integration of advanced machine learning with eye-tracking technology showcases how STEM can directly contribute to the One Health movement, transforming public health by providing real-time surveillance and monitoring systems.

For their innovative approach, the team received certificates and trophies, along with a cash prize of RM1800 from the organiser and a USD$4000 seed grant from Chevron through the Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN).

Fostering Future One Health Leaders

In addition to the Most Promising Young Scientists Award, five other Special Awards were given, each with a cash prize of RM500 and a seed grant worth USD$1000. These categories included Benefit to the Community, Educational Contribution, Commercial Potential, Application of STEM Concepts, and Creativity/Innovation. The seed grants will help our young scientists expand and advance the scope of their research projects at their community level, further contributing to the One Health movement.

Moreover, to acknowledge exceptional project execution, Outstanding Awards were presented to teams with the best project report, best presentation, and best exhibit. These recipients were honoured with certificates of accomplishment and an RM800 cash prize each.

The Future of One Health through STEM Education

The 13th SSYS Congress successfully showcased the immense potential of young scientists to address global health challenges through the lens of One Health. By providing a platform for innovation and collaboration, SEAMEO empowers the next generation to build a healthier future for Southeast Asia and beyond. The support from the Ministry of Education, Malaysia, and collaboration with Chevron through the Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN) and Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network (SEAMEO TROPMED Network) highlights the importance of this initiative in shaping a healthier world.

To learn more about SEAMEO RECSAM’s Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists and how STEM education is driving the One Health movement, check out their website for more information: http://www.recsam.edu.my/sub_SSYS/