The Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, extends our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Maritess Oliveros Villarico, alumna of the Ph.D. Program in Oral Sciences, on receiving the prestigious IADR Pediatric Oral Health Research Award (South East Asia Division). The award was presented at the 103rd General Session of the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR), held in Barcelona, Spain, from June 25–28, 2025. Dr. Villarico’s award-winning presentation, entitled “Risk Factors of Early Childhood Caries in a High-Incidence Toddler Population,” was based on her doctoral research completed at Khon Kaen University.

Her participation in the event was supported by the Clinical and Public Health Research Training in Oral Health for Southeast Asia Program, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the College of Dentistry, University of the Philippines – Manila, Dr. Villarico exemplifies academic excellence and international impact. We are deeply proud of her accomplishments and her continued contributions to pediatric oral health research.