Dr. Ronald Law
“I came back to the Philippines the last week of January 2020, a day before the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the U.S. I was hosted by the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, during my research where I had the opportunity to teach, network and do lots of traveling!
I gained new insights about research and innovation, practices, challenges, opportunities regarding my topic through my research. It expanded my worldview – there are more similarities than differences between U.S. and the Philippines. It enriched my network in my professional, academics, as well as my community and friends. I enjoyed what my temporary environment living in the U.S. through Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN had to offer through the outdoors, arts, music, culture, history, food, coffee and most importantly a quiet time for reflection, deep work and strategic thinking.
As soon as I returned to the Philippines, I knew what I had to do. Do my job in the Department of Health to address COVID-19 and to impart my expertise and new-found perspective of health security.”
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Dr. Ron Law is a 2019 Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Scholar and a public health practitioner and health emergency specialist working for the Philippine Department of Health as Chief of the Preparedness Division. He’s also a professor of public health in leading universities in the Philippines. Through the Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN award, he conducted his research on health security in relation to management of health emergencies and disasters. His research looked into U.S. health security practices, challenges, opportunities in relation to ASEAN and the Philippines.