Bridging Science, Climate, and Public Health: My Experience at the First Annual General Meeting of the Climate Sensitive Infectious Diseases Network
By Dieudonné Roland ELOUNDOU OMBEDE
Retrouvez cet article en français ici.
The second half of this year saw me participating in the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Climate Sensitive Infectious Diseases Network (CSIDNet), which was held in Bangkok and Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Co-organized by the Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), and the Faculty of Tropical Medicine at Mahidol University, the gathering which took place from 21-25 July, 2025, brought together researchers, public health practitioners, policymakers, and tool and model developers from across the globe. Graced by professionals across all career stages, the AGM quickly became a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and discussions in tackling one of the most pressing global health challenges of our time: the intersection of climate change and infectious diseases.
Committee all hands meeting
My journey began a day earlier, on 20 July 2025, when I attended the all hands committee meeting, a valuable prelude to the main conference. Committees in the CSIDNet context are groups of volunteers from various geographic zones, and with different backgrounds, who dedicate their time and expertise to collaboratively influence the priorities and the impact of the network. This Meeting brought together the network’s core members to reflect on progress and refine a collective vision. This session allowed me to connect in person with the staff, my peers in the Communications Committee, and members of other Committees. The discussions focused on the network’s strategies, including the alignment of strategies, sharing of lessons learned from the first 6 months of the network’s existence, the refinement of agendas, and planning of activities for the next 5 months.
All Hands Committee Meeting at Eastern Grand Hotel Phayatai, Bangkok, Thailand
(Photo by Angela Okune)
In the process, I learned about what other committees are doing to overcome challenges they face in their efforts to contribute to the network’s strategic goals. For me, the most valuable takeaway was the importance of inclusivity: ensuring that contributions from low- and middle-income countries, and from young researchers and young professionals are not only welcomed but actively integrated into decision-making processes.
Bangkok sessions and activities
The first two days (21st and 22nd July) of the AGM in Bangkok were filled with moments of knowledge-sharing and scientific discovery. On the first day, keynote presentations highlighted emerging research and practical approaches on how climate variability is influencing the geographic spread, seasonality, and intensity of vector-borne diseases. Sessions demonstrated how emerging models can forecast disease outbreaks with increasing accuracy by integrating climate variables like temperature, rainfall, and humidity. These tools are transforming the way we anticipate and prepare for threats such as malaria, dengue, and other vector-borne diseases. Many speakers and participants emphasized the importance of localized data collection to improve the precision of predictive models. The discussions underscored the need for collaboration between climate scientists, epidemiologists, data modelers, and health system managers. This AGM provided concrete examples of how such integration can turn theoretical insights into practical, life-saving interventions. For a young researcher like me, these insights were invaluable. They not only deepened my understanding of the field but also revealed emerging research gaps where I could contribute.
Some presentations among others: (A) CSID Models and Early Warning Systems (EWS) by Leonardo and Sisay, (B) CSID research by Mamadou, (C) Dengue EWS in Vietnam by Phong, and (D) a simulation game for CSID by Sebastian (Photos (A), (B), (D) by Natthaphon Sakulvanaporn; Photo (C) by Dieudonné Eloundou).
Day 2 of Bangkok took participants to Mahidol University for an enriching institutional tour. The visit began at the Center of Excellence for Biomedical and Public Health Informatics, where we were introduced to cutting-edge digital health solutions and data-driven innovations supporting research and public health decision-making. We then explored the Museum of Tropical Diseases, an impressive hub of knowledge showcasing the historical and contemporary challenges of tropical medicine. Through its collections, the museum illustrated the evolution of research for major tropical diseases in the region. We concluded the tour with a visit to the Department of Medical Entomology laboratories. Here, researchers presented their work on vector biology and control strategies for malaria. The hands-on demonstrations and discussions highlighted the critical role entomology plays in advancing global health preparedness and response.
Mahidol University tour: (A) visit of the Center of Excellence for Biomedical and Public Health Informatics (Photo by Angela Okune); (B) visit of the Museum of Tropical Diseases (Photo by Natthaphon Sakulvanaporn);
(C) visit of the Department of Medical Entomology, the Vector Control Unit (Photo by Dieudonné Eloundou).
This visit provided me not only with valuable scientific insights but also a deeper appreciation of Mahidol University’s leading role in tropical medicine and CSID research.
The Kanchanaburi experience: Committee updates and working group discussions.
The shift to Kanchanaburi brought a refreshing change of pace and perspective. The following three days were filled with sharing activities, working group discussions, and networking. All committees including fellows, shared the work they are doing to advance the network’s mission with all the participants. My committee, the Communication Committee, shared progress of its communication strategy development process while welcoming new members, suggestions, and ideas from participants.
The interactive working group discussions were meant for us to brainstorm and lay the groundwork for future collaborative projects. Working groups are autonomous small groups of network members that convene and advance relevant CSID related topics. These discussions were especially empowering because they demonstrated that even early-career researchers and young professionals can contribute meaningfully to shaping the network’s priorities.
Communications Committee Representatives at the 2025 CSIDNet AGM: from the right to the left: Mamadou Coulibaly, Sharon Tshipa, Dieudonné Eloundou, and Muhammad Asaduzzaman (photo by Natthaphon Sakulvanaporn).
CSID Models, Data, and Methods Repository’s working group discussions. From the right to the left: William Hart, Sophearen Ith, Felipe Colon-Gonzalez, Leonardo Rafael Lopez, Henock Tadesse Bireda, and Dieudonné Roland Eloundou Ombede (photo by Natthaphon Sakulvanaporn).
The Connections: Building a global support network
Networking was one of the most powerful aspects of the AGM. Meeting people who share similar passions, yet approach the challenges from different disciplinary or regional perspectives, broadened my outlook. I was able to connect with: researchers, public health practitioners, and tool and model developers across all career stages. The conversations often extended beyond the conference rooms—over meals, during field visits, and even on bus rides between venues. The informal setting fostered trust and openness, allowing collaborations to take root naturally.
Key takeaways and the road ahead
Attending the first AGM of the CSIDNet was an investment in my professional growth, my research capacity, and my ability to contribute to global health resilience. The knowledge I gained sharpened my understanding of predictive modeling and the integration of climate data in disease control. The benefits extended to case study insights, and exposure to innovative tools. The connections I made will serve as a foundation for future collaborations, and the inspiration I drew from this global community will fuel my commitment to the field. For young researchers, public health practitioners, and tool developers, gatherings like this AGM are essential. As I return to my work, I do so with a renewed sense of purpose and a broader vision. The challenges of CSID are immense, but they do not outweigh the collective capacity of this committed community to solve them.
Group photos of participants: (A) at Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai in Bangkok; (B) at Dheva Mantra Hotel in Kanchanaburi (Photos by Natthaphon Sakulvanaporn).
If the first AGM is any indication, the CSIDNet is poised to make a long-lasting impact, and I’m grateful to be part of the journey.
About the Author
Dieudonné Roland ELOUNDOU OMBEDE is a young Parasitologist, Field Epidemiologist, Researcher, and Public Health Innovator from Cameroon with expertise in Infectious Disease Ecology, specially Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). He also has experience in NTDs management and diagnostics, and he is passionate about developing and implementing operational methods, predictive models, and digital health tools tailored for the surveillance of NTDs in resource-limited settings, in the context of climate change.
Contacts: Email: [email protected] ; OR [email protected]. Find him on X (formerly Twitter), and Linkedln.
Reviewed and Edited by: Sharon Tshipa, Chloé Morin, Mamadou Coulibaly (members of the CSIDNet Communications Committee), and Ragıp Zık (Head of Operations)