Category: Internaitonal Visitor

On November 7, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean of KKU Faculty of Medicine welcomed Professor Sophia Mavroudas, Associate Director of the Forensic Anthropology Center (FACTS) at Texas State University, USA to our faculty.

Professor Mavroudas is currently focused on the incorporation of non-traditional histomorphometric variables to improve age-at-death estimation methodologies in forensic contexts across global populations. As a forensic anthropologist, she is also involved in disaster victim identification efforts for presumed migrants who die crossing global borders.

She participated in the MD-KKU overseas visiting professor program in our Department of Anatomy and gave a guest lecturer on “The Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State (FACTS): The utility of outdoor decomposition facilities and donated skeletal collections in forensic science research.” This talk covered how FACTS uses a willed body donation program with its indoor and outdoor laboratories to conduct research related to forensic contexts. It also discussed the Texas State Donated Skeletal Collection and research done with this vital resource at both micro- and macroscopic levels.

On this occasion, the Department’s staff also attending the meeting included Assoc. Prof. Jariya Umka Welbat, Head of the Department, and Asst. Prof. Tawut Rudtanatip. They discussed the development of collaborative-research and clinical skills development projects between the two institutions.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On October 26, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean of KKU Faculty of Medicine welcomed Professor Nolwenn Dheilly, Head of the Pathogen Discovery Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, France to our faculty.

Professor Dheilly’s research includes epidemiological investigations following outbreaks of known and unknown origins, characterization of virus enzootic cycles, development of diagnostic tools, and fundamental research aimed at the development of novel therapeutic and preventive strategies.

She participated in the MD-KKU overseas visiting professor program in our Tropical Medicine Department between October 23 and 27, 2023 and gave a guest lecturer on “Metagenomics to identify novel and unexpected pathogens for improved diagnoses and prevention: From coronaviruses to arboviruses and viruses of parasitic worms.”

The Department’s staff led by Assoc. Prof. Sutas Suttiprapa also attended the meeting to discuss guidelines for NIH Research Project Grant Program (RO1), academic support provision in developing collaborative studies in Tropical Medicine and supervision of staff and students in relevant subjects.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

MD-KKU recently welcomed two nursing students from Kumamoto Health Science University (KHSU), Japan. They participated in an exchange program at the Faculty of Nursing, KKU between September 7 and 20, 2023.

On September 11, 2023, Asst. Prof. Samoraphop Banharak, Associate Dean for Research, Innovation and International Affairs, Faculty of Nursing, KKU, led them on a visit to Samliam Primary Care Unit of Srinagarind Hospital. This unit integrates medical, nursing, psychological, and social sciences knowledge for treatment, rehabilitation, health promotion and disease prevention in this urban setting.

On September 18, 2023, they met the Director of the Nursing Division of Srinagarind Hospital and were introduced to the hospital nursing service system and also visited Ward 4B. They learned about our Hospital’s strategies for providing high quality nursing services to meet our customers’ needs. They were also shown our nursing service program for professional excellence development in nurses.

On September 19, 2023, they visited the Tawanchai Center for Cleft Lip-Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Deformities, a Royal Grant Project. They learned many things concerning caring patients with cleft lip and cleft palate including rehabilitation by interdisciplinary health professionals, research and innovation promotion, and collaboration with related organizations.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On September 11, 2023, MD-KKU welcomed two physical therapy students from Kumamoto Health Science University (KHSU), Japan. They participated in an exchange program at the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, KKU between August 20 and 31, 2023 to gain clinical experience as well as learning about Isan culture.

They visited our physical therapy service at the Queen Sirikit Heart Center of the Northeast to observe medical services such as physical check-up and examination as well as development of effective cardiac rehabilitation plans to improve patients’ daily activities.

They also visited Srinagarind Hospital Rehabilitation Clinic to observe management of patients’ physical problems at Rehabilitation Ward 2F, Physical Therapy Unit, and Occupational Therapy Unit. This out-patient clinic provides patient-centered rehabilitation medicine and prevention and health promotion strategies to support patients’ quality of life and well-being.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On August 31, 2023, a MD-KKU delegation led by Assoc. Prof. Charoonsak Somboonporn, MD, Head of Radiology Department together with Asst. Prof. Woranan Kirisattayakul, Radiology Department welcomed Professor Hidetsugu Fujigaki from the Department of Advanced Diagnostic System Development, Fujita Health University (FHU), Japan to our faculty.

Professor Fujigaki is an expert in cell biology and has research interests in tumors, psychiatric disorders, therapeutic and diagnostic drug development, kynurenine pathway, tryptophan metabolism, antibody testing, and development of novel therapeutic agents that inhibit enzymes involved in tryptophan metabolism.

Asst. Prof. Attawut Chaibunruang, Assistant Dean for Special Affairs, Corporate Communication and International Relations, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences (AMS), Dr. Naraporn Maikong, MD-KKU Radiology Department, Mrs. Duangkamol Srisawasdi, MD-KKU International Relations Officer, and Ms. Supaporn Panya, International Relations Officer, AMS Faculty also attended the meeting. They discussed the feasibility of student exchange programs in radiological technology between FHU and MD-KKU and also expanding exchange opportunities for graduate students and researchers.

The meeting was very productive. “Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to discuss exchange program for radiological technology field,” said Professor Fujigaki. “It’s our great opportunity to have you here particularly for the possibilities of exchange program with Fujita Health University, Japan,” said Professor Somboonporn.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On August 23, 2023, MD-KKU welcomed Professor Mayumi Negishi and a group of nursing students from the University of Shizuoka, Japan. They participated in an exchange program at the Faculty of Nursing, KKU between August 20 and 31, 2023.

They visited Srinagarind Hospital Center of Excellence for Kidney Disease at the Galyani Vadhana Memorial Building to observe the outpatient clinic and Hemodialysis Unit services, including Hemodialysis, On-line Hemodiafiltration, Plasmapheresis, and Hemoperfusion.

The Center of Excellence was founded to care for kidney disease patients by experienced medical professionals with advanced medical tools and technology. It also supports professional service and is a research development center providing Fellowship Training Program in Nephrology and a Nursing Specialty Nurse Practitioner program in Renal Replacement Therapy.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On September 4, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Wimorat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs together with Assist. Prof. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Assistant Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs welcomed Professor Elizabeth Jane Phillips from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA to our faculty.

Professor Phillips is a Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology. She focusses on the immunopathogenesis of severe adverse drug reactions and using innovative technologies to define genetic, molecular and cellular signatures.

She participated in the MD-KKU overseas visiting professor program in our Pharmacology Department between August 31 and September 10, 2023. Her visit’s objectives were to supervise and discuss pharmacogenetic testing in clinical practice at Pharmacogenetic Analysis Unit, attend the pre-congress on “Pharmacogenetics and Its Applications in Clinical Practice,” deliver a lecture “Updates on Immunopathology and Genomics of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions,” discuss research collaboration development with pharmacology staff, attend a special seminar related to research specialization, and supervise manuscript writing for our pharmacogenetic researchers.

The Department’s staff led by Assoc. Prof. Laddawan Sengkanprai also attended the meeting to discuss pharmacogenetic research collaboration, clinical skills development projects, and future collaborative activities between our two institutions. This visit can help MD-KKU implement pharmacogenetics for optimal drug therapy particularly in disease-risk prediction, decisions on drug dosages, drug-disease interaction management, and minimizing adverse drug reactions in patients.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On August 21, 2023, Asst. Prof. Acharawan Topark–Ngarm, Assistant to the President for International Affairs together with Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Assoc. Prof. Ampornpan Theeranut, Dean of Faculty of Nursing, Dr. Chutikan Sakphisutthikul, Associate Dean for Administration and Quality Development, Faculty of Public Health, and Asst. Prof. Kavin Thinkhamrop, Assistant Dean for Research, Academic Service, Innovation and International Affairs, Faculty of Public Health welcomed Prof. Wei Xianggang, PhD, from Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities (YMUN), and Mr. Nuttapong Phanachet, Director of the Thai-Chinese Education Center to our university.

The visit’s objectives were to meet with KKU administrative team to explore academic and research collaboration especially in health science research, and to create an accessible data platform for Chinese students to increase opportunities for study in KKU.  They also discussed future plans for a visit of the President of YMUN to KKU in early 2024 and KKU-YMUN Alumni Center foundation.

KKU and YMUN initiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2021 to strengthen relationships and promote collaborative human resource development. This visit was a great opportunity for medical science faculties including Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing, and Faculty of Public Health to develop collaborative research possibilities and other related affairs with YMUN.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On August 25, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean of KKU Faculty of Medicine together with Assoc. Prof. Wimorat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs welcomed Professor Ching–Feng Chiu from Taipei Medical University, Taiwan to our faculty.

Professor Chiu has a strong background in biology, with a particular interest in cancer research. He has dedicated himself to exploring the molecular and metabolic mechanisms involved in the progression of pancreatic cancer through the study of metabolomics and proteomics.

He participated in the MD-KKU overseas visiting professor program in our Biochemistry Department between August 19 and September 1, 2023. His visit’s objectives were to provide a special seminar and lecture for our faculty and students, and to extend collaboration and conduct preliminary research on “Targeting Glutamine Metabolism Pathway for Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment.”

Assoc. Prof. Kulthida Vaeteewoottacharn, MD, Assoc. Prof. Kanlayanee Sawanyawisuth, and Asst. Prof. Charupong Saengboonmee, MD, Department of Biochemistry also attended the meeting to discuss biochemistry research collaboration, clinical skills development projects, and future collaborative activities between the two institutions.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On August 17, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean of KKU Faculty of Medicine together with Assoc. Prof. Wimorat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs welcomed Professor Ali Abou–Hassan from Sorbonne University, France to our faculty.

Professor Abou-Hassan has extensive multidisciplinary research experience across microfluidics, colloidal chemistry, and nanoparticle synthesis.

He participated in the MD-KKU overseas visiting professor program in our Biochemistry Department between August 1 and 18, 2023. His visit’s objective was to carry out a collaborative research project on “The Development of Various Magnetic Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: In Vitro Study” with Asst. Prof. Charupong Saengboonmee, MD, Department of Biochemistry, KKU, and Dr. Phoomipat Jungcharoen, Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, KKU. This research project was funded by the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B), Thailand.

Assoc. Prof. Kulthida Vaeteewoottacharn, MD, and Assoc. Prof. Kanlayanee Sawanyawisuth, Department of Biochemistry also attended the meeting and reported on their research and discussed a possible collaborative projects between KKU and Sorbonne University.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith