Researchers at Chulabhorn Research Institute Bestowed with the National Research Awards 2024
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On February 2, 2024, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the opening ceremony of “Thailand Inventors’ Day 2024” organized by the National Research Council of Thailand, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation at Bangkok International Trade & Centre, Bangna, Bangkok. On this occasion, Her Royal Highness bestowed awards to the recipients of the National Research Awards 2024, comprising the National Outstanding Researcher Awards, Research Work Awards, Dissertation Awards, and Invention Awards, totaling 178 awards. The awards promote and support research and innovation, as well as honor researchers and inventors for their outstanding national accomplishments. Researchers at Chulabhorn Research Institute received three National Research Awards 2024 as follows:
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1. Research Work Award (Very Good Level) in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences titled “Andrographis paniculata: From Basic to Translational Research” by Laboratory of Pharmacology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jutamaad Satayavivad, Vice President for Scientific Affairs and Director, Laboratory of Pharmacology, as the project leader in collaboration with the research team at the Chulabhorn Research Institute. They jointly conducted a study and developed research findings by applying basic knowledge derived from the study and research of Andrographis paniculata from upstream to downstream as a medicinal herb to treat diseases, especially COVID-19. Many patients used Andrographis paniculata as an alternative herb during the height of the outbreak of the pandemic. The research findings can lead to technology transfer for the production of an extract or a prototype of a standard product made from Andrographis paniculata for commercialization in the industrial sector, as well as upgrade research for the development of domestic herbal medicine on par with modern medicine standards and international recognition.
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2.Research Work Award (Good Level) in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences titled “Early Warning and Predicting System for COVID-19 Outbreaks Using Wastewater-based Epidemiology” by the Laboratory of Biotechnology, with Dr. Kwanrawee Sirikanchana as the project leaderin collaboration with the research team at the Chulabhorn Research Institute. They conducted R&D on the system to efficiently promote the country’s public health system and environmental health through research that covered major topics including the development of procedures, new knowledge on wastewater inspection, as well as analysis and interpretation for early warning and monitoring the COVID-19 outbreaks, risk assessment of people’s health regarding contact with SARS-CoV-2, enhanced surveillance of the outbreak through virus detection in wastewater in pilot areas, as well as application to other infectious diseases such as respiratory diseases, zoonoses, etc.
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3. Dissertation Award (Good Level) in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences titled “Development of Selective Methods for Remote C(sp3)-H Desaturation and Alkenylation Reactions” by Dr. Padon Chuentragool, Researcher, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute. At present, over 50 studies have been enhanced worldwide based on this research. Moreover, the chemical process discovered in this dissertation has been used for the synthesis of various chemicals, as well as the synthesis of drugs by major pharmaceutical companies.
These awards contribute to the pride in the success of the researchers at the Chulabhorn Research Institute who are strongly committed to producing valuable research works that are greatly beneficial to the academic and social domains, as well as the country’s sustainable development.
Public Relations, Office of the President
Chulabhorn Research Institute
February 5, 2024