Seven Thai Scientists Making An Impact With Their Research – Asian Scientist Magazine

AsianScientist (Dec. 8, 2018) – A Southeast Asian nation well-known and loved for its breathtaking tropical beaches and ornate Buddhist temples, Thailand is also home to a vibrant scientific scene.

Behind Thailand’s tourism-driven economy is a government which understands the importance of investing in research and development (R&D) to push the country forward. In fact, its National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI) has projected that by the end of 2018, Thailand’s R&D investment will amount to one percent of its GDP, with intentions to increase research expenditure to 1.5 percent of GDP by 2021.

Correspondingly, the number of researchers in Thailand is increasing gradually, and data from STI shows that there are about 1,700 scientists for every million people in Thailand. While this figure is among the lowest in the Southeast Asian region, it is important to note that Thailand fares well when it comes to gender equality in the science sector, with women comprising half of its scientific talent pool.

We feature here some of the top scientists helping science thrive in Thailand.

1. Pimchai Chaiyen
   
   Photo: Mahidol University
   
   Chaiyen, who won the 2003 L’Oréal Thailand For Women in Science Award, received the 2017 L’Oréal Woman Scientist Crystal Award for her research into a cleaner way to produce chemicals.
   
   
2. Pussana Hirunsit
   
   Photo: Pussana Hirunsit
   
   Hirunsit won the 2017 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science National Award for her research on environmentally friendly nanocatalysts.
   
   
3. Anchalee Manonukul
   
   Photo: National Metal and Materials Technology Center
   
   For her work on powder metallurgy, Manonukul received the 2017 L’Oréal Woman Scientist Crystal Award, a special award commemorating the 15th anniversary of the L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Awards in Thailand.
   
   
4. Varodom Charoensawan
   
   Photo: Medical Research Council
   
   Charoensawan received the 2017 Young Scientist Award from the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of His Majesty the King for his bioinformatics research.
   
   
5. Marisa Ponpuak
   
   Photo: Mahidol University
   
   Ponpuak received the 2017 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship for her research on autophagy aimed at finding new drugs for malaria and tuberculosis.
   
   
6. Napida Hinchiranan
   
   Photo: Chulalongkorn University
   
   Hinchiranan was awarded the 2017 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship for her studies on using natural rubber to create value-added products.
   
   
7. David Ruffolo
   
   Photo: Mahidol University
   
   Ruffolo received the 2017 Outstanding Scientist Award from the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under Royal Patronage for his research on global radiation and cosmic rays, including a computer program that can predict the effects of solar storms on Earth.
   
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   Copyright: Asian Scientist Magazine; Photo: Pexels.
   Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
   

Shai Panela


Shai Panela is an award-winning freelance science journalist based in the Philippines. She was part of the Asian Science Journalism fellowship program of the World Federation of Science Journalists in 2013 and covers stories in science, health, technology and the environment.



Shai Panela is an award-winning freelance science journalist based in the Philippines. She was part of the Asian Science Journalism fellowship program of the World Federation of Science Journalists in 2013 and covers stories in science, health, technology and the environment.


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https://www.asianscientist.com/2018/12/features/as-100-thailand-science-technology-researchers/