From Lab to Life: "Imbento Lang!" Podcast Series: From SHINE to FASSSTER with Dr. Reena Estuar
- Sophia Michaela Barbas
- Sep 25, 2024
- 3 min read
Welcome back to our blog series celebrating Filipino creativity and innovation through the Imbento Lang! Podcast- a joint effort between the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO), the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Multimedia Communication, and Areté. This series is a space where inventors share their own creative processes and explore what drives their passion for invention and innovation. In today’s episode, we introduce Dr Reena Estuar and her innovations in the fields of computer science and social psychology.
Our esteemed speaker, Dr. Reena Estuar, is currently a professor at the Ateneo de Manila University - Department of Information Systems and Computer Science. Her dedication to developing platforms for the social good has made significant impacts to the field through the work she has done in the Ateneo Center for Computing Competency and Research once as the Executive Director in 2007.
The research and Development center’s mission and vision remains to be the premier center for faculty to extend their knowledge and put it into practice within Ateneo as well as to aid these innovations for commercialization. Her most notable innovations here are BluPHR; tugon.ph; and the Feasibility Analysis on Syndromic Surveillance Using Spatio Temporal Epidemiological ModelleR or (FASSSTER).
BluePHR is a current platform for the digitalization of medical records where other innovations were born: BluePHR is a skin for the Ateneo community’s use and RHU is used by rural communities. The BluePHR is still used for commercial use until today. Other than this, Dr. Estuar and the Ateneo Center for Computing Competency and Research worked on the E-bayanihan platform centered on disaster mitigation alongside project Lagos as a crowdsourcing platform for digitizing reports on disaster-struck areas.
FASSSTER comes from the SHINE, a framework by Smart made in 2012; however, the lack of data ceased optimal distribution to the stakeholders. Dr. Estuar believed that this innovation needed a foundational purpose for further development. She believes that in terms of innovation- there must be a conscious effort and a significant intention to develop this platform for a particular good. In partnership with software technologies and epidemiologists, FASSTER became the main platform used by the government for disease surveillance and modeling as part of the nation's COVID-19 mitigation and response, which was also recently recognized by the Department of Health. It is governed by a ‘syndromic surveillance’ method that allows for early detection of an epidemic and adding various development modules to adapt to the needs of the community.
Dr. Reena Estuar narrates the journey of technologies developed to address health-related needs of communities. Apart from addressing real needs, technology should always be adapted to the dynamic environment where it is used or applied. These are just parts of what we can learn from the Imbento Lang! Podcast. Dr. Estuar is just one of the many brilliant minds of the country who continues to inspire a new generation of innovators with the heart of purpose for their community.
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We encourage you to explore Areté's Connect page, where you'll find a treasure trove of content celebrating Filipino ingenuity. By visiting Areté's Connect Page, you can stay up-to-date with weekly releases of the "Imbento Lang!" podcast series, featuring a variety of inventors and their inspiring stories.
Interested in the Ateneo Blue Nest Incubation Program? You can find more information on our website at aipo.ateneo.edu/bluenest.
Join the Innovation Movement
"Imbento Lang!" is more than just a podcast—it's a celebration of Filipino creativity and the relentless pursuit of innovation. Through the stories of inventors like Dr. Reena Estuar, AIPO and Areté aim to inspire a new generation of innovators who will continue to push the boundaries of what's possible.
For more information, visit the AIPO Website and follow us on social media. Let's celebrate and support Filipino innovation together!
We hope you enjoyed this blog post. Stay tuned for more updates and inspiring stories from the world of innovation and intellectual property!
Really enjoyed reading about Dr. Reena Estuar’s journey from SHINE to FASSSTER and the way her work has focused on using technology to address real health and community needs. The development of BluePHR, e-Bayanihan, and Project Lagos also shows how research can evolve into practical tools when innovation is guided by a clear purpose. I found the transition from SHINE to FASSSTER particularly interesting because the platform was strengthened through collaboration with software specialists and epidemiologists and ultimately became an important tool for disease surveillance and COVID-19 response. The idea that technology must continue adapting to the needs of the community is an important lesson for anyone working in science and research. As a student interested in science and healthcare…
This is a fascinating example of how research and innovation can move from the lab into solutions that directly benefit communities. Dr. Reena Estuar’s work on BluePHR, e-Bayanihan, Project Lagos, and especially the evolution of SHINE into FASSSTER shows the importance of developing technology with a clear social purpose. I found the discussion of FASSSTER particularly interesting because its syndromic surveillance approach helped support disease monitoring and the country’s COVID-19 response. The article also makes an important point that successful technology must adapt to the changing needs of the people it serves. For students balancing demanding academic requirements with an interest in technology and innovation, finding the right academic support can also make a difference when they need to take…
Dr. Reena Estuar's work with FASSSTER highlights the importance of a purposeful innovation approach. It's fascinating how the transition from SHINE to FASSSTER represents a commitment to data-driven solutions for public health. As someone who appreciates innovative tools, I understand the value of platforms that not only serve a community but also enhance disaster response efforts. This aligns with my interest in creating engaging visual content, like transforming pet photos into art at PetPortraitHub. It's all about leveraging technology for the greater good!
What an inspiring story of innovation and purpose! Dr. Reena Estuar’s work on FASSSTER and other health technologies shows how research can create real-world impact and improve communities. As these innovations continue to gain international attention, a professional Translation Service can help make this valuable knowledge accessible to researchers, policymakers, and communities around the world.
Great read! Dr. Reena Estuar's work shows how innovation can create lasting impact in healthcare and communities. The discussion on FASSSTER was especially insightful. The phrase "Take my online class" also reminds us how technology is changing the way people learn and work today.