Category: International Conference

The Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, extends its congratulations to Assist. Prof. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, PhD, from the Department of Systems Biosciences and Computational Medicine, who also serves as Chairman of the Committee to Drive Research and Academic Services at the Phynomics Phenome Center, on the occasion of being one of six researchers worldwide to receive the “2024 Metabolomics Society L.M.I.C. Travel Award” at the 20^th Annual International Conference of the Metabolomics Society: Metabolomics 2024 in Osaka, Japan. The research by Assist. Prof. Phetcharaburanin and his team was selected for an oral presentation on the topic “Metabolome-microbiome Dynamics Following Cholangiocarcinoma-derived Fecal Microbiota Transplantation and Oral Bile Reinfusion in Wistar Rat” by the Metabolomics Society.

This research utilizes the technique of human fecal microbiota transplantation into experimental animals combined with metabolomics and microbiomics approaches. The aim is to study the function and mechanisms of gut microbiota from Cholangiocarcinoma patients on the host’s gut health. This investigation seeks to provide functional insights at the molecular level into the gut microbiota of Cholangiocarcinoma patients and to examine the effects of oral bile reinfusion on gut microenvironment recovery. This foundational molecular evidence will be valuable for medical personnel caring for Cholangiocarcinoma patients and serve as a significant knowledge base for researchers and innovators in developing future medical advancements.

The international conference was attended by over 800 participants from universities and research institutions worldwide. It aims to provide a platform for metabolomics researchers to meet and present their work through oral and poster presentations. The conference also seeks to build a robust network of metabolomics research and engage in academic discussions on world-class research in a relaxed and collegial atmosphere. The research topics at the conference are divided into various themes, including Technology Advances; Computational Metabolomics, Statistics, and Bioinformatics; Metabolomics in Health and Disease; Metabolomics of Food, Plants, and Environment and Microbes.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

On April 23, 2024, MD-KKU representatives led by Assoc. Prof. Thuss Sanguansak, Vice Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication, Assoc. Prof. Warachaya Phanphruk, Assistant for International Relations and Corporate Communication, and Dr. Nantaporn Wongsurawat, Assistant for Academic Affairs, welcomed delegations from Institute of International Education (IIE) under the International Academic Partnership Thailand (IAPP Thailand). A total of 20 representatives from US embassies and universities met at the Sarasin Meeting Room, 2^nd floor, Sirikunakorn Building, Khon Kaen University.

Assoc. Prof. Nawarat Wara-Aswapati, PhD, Vice President for International Affairs, welcomed the delegations with a warm welcome speech on partnership and collaboration. “It’s a pleasure to welcome you all to our campus and we look forward to productive discussion, connection and friendship, as well as many more collaborations to come,” she said.

US delegations and KKU deans discussed and exchanged their vision for academic partnerships.

Courtney Temple, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, one of the representatives from USA institutions suggested international exchange and collaboration, stating: “If we have chances to collaborate, we will definitely have a beautiful world because we have learned from each other.”

As for MD KKU, we are looking forward to further collaboration with US institutions since we believe that fostering such partnerships will lead to mutual growth and innovation.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun & Waratchaya Rachpoochai

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

A MD-KKU delegation recently attended a workshop on Universal Newborn Hearing Screening in Sydney, Australia with delegations from the National Health Security Office (NHSO), Chulalongkorn University, and the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University. The workshop ran between July 18 and 21, 2023.

The MD-KKU delegation was led by Assoc. Prof. Wimorat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs together with Prof. Kwanchanok Yimtae, MD, Director of Academic Clinical Research Office (ACRO), Assoc. Prof. Pakaphan Kiatchoosakun, MD, Head of Pediatrics Department, and Dr. Nichtima Chayaopas, Department of Otorhinolaryngology. They also visited Macquarie University and the Shepherd Centre.

A workshop on Universal Newborn Hearing Screening hosted by Australian Hearing Hub (AHH)

The workshop on Universal Newborn Hearing Screening was hosted by the Australian Hearing Hub (AHH) with many speakers sharing their experiences. Lecture sessions covered AHH background and its collaboration with private and public sectors to develop newborn hearing screening systems for better access to effective treatment and family support systems to optimize the daily lives of children with hearing loss.  In group discussions, delegates discussed progress, obstacles, and possible solutions for newborn hearing problems in Thailand, and brainstormed approaches to solve problems, provide medical services, and increase human capital especially audiologists.

Lecture Session

Group Discussion Session

The MD-KKU delegation also visited Macquarie University in Sydney, a leader in developing private-public collaborations in education, research, and medical service. The delegation also met the chief executive of the Macquarie University to discuss strategies and collaborations at national and international levels to support children with hearing loss.

MD-KKU delegation visits Macquarie University and meets the chief executive.

The delegation also visited the Shepherd Centre in Sydney. For more than 50 years, the Centre has cared for children with hearing loss and their families. It is supported by private and public sectors as well as donors for facilities and activities like developmental surveillance, hearing aids, auditory skill and language practices, preparation for the real world, counseling, and health care delivery.

A visit to the Shepherd Centre

The workshop on Universal Newborn Hearing Screening was beneficial for KKU to improve its capacity for treatment of children with hearing loss. Improvements in rapid screening, language and communication development, and social skills enhancement should empower children to have productive and fulfilled lives.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Assistant Professor Rit Apinyankul, MD, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University was recently an invited speaker at the 2023 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting held in Las Vegas, USA between March 7-11, 2023.

He spoke on  “Complications, Implant Survivorships and Functional Outcomes of Conversion Total Knee Arthroplasty With Prior Hardware”

His co-authors were Alexander Y. Hui, MD, PhD; Katherine Hwang, MPH; Nicole Alexandriadria Segovia, MS; Derek F. Amanatullah, MD, PhD; James I. Huddleston, MD; William J. Maloney, MD; and, Stuart B. Goodman, MD, PhD, from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center Outpatient Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.

Dr. Rit is a key innovator for quality of life research for knee and hip arthroplasty patients at Srinagarind Hospital.

During his research fellowship at Stanford University two years ago (2021), he was involved in arthroplasty technology development with the innovative research team there.

Besides academic, clinical services, research and innovation work at MD-KKU, Dr.  Rit also on the executive administrative team as Assistant to the Dean for Administration.

Detailed disclosure information is available via:

AAOS Orthopaedic Disclosure Program: www.aaos.org/disclosure

Published on The Journal of Arthroplasty 2023 Elsevier

News Reported by Professor John F. Smith and Duangsamorn Chankwang, International Relations Office, MD-KKU

Assistant Professor Artit Boonrod, MD, Department of Orthopedics, and Dr. Sarat Tiangwan, MD, recently presented their research at the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) Congress 2023, held in Boston, USA between June 18 and 21.  The ISAKOS Congress is the premier international meeting for sharing the latest advancements in arthroscopy, knee surgery and sports medicine. It also covered a variety of new and cutting edge surgical techniques and approaches to clinical management, and current controversies in orthopaedic practice.

Our KKU-MD delegates also visited the medical center for knee surgery due to sports injury and shoulder arthroplasty at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston. This visit was supervised and facilitated by Dr. Michael Ackland, Dr. Glen Ross, and Dr. Paul Weitzel.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Professor Pisake Lumbiganon, MD, President of Asia & Oceania Federation of Obstetrics & Gynecology (AOFOG) and KKU-MD ex-dean, recently attended the Federation’s Executive Board and Council meetings at the Vietnam National Conference on Obstetrics and Gynecology. The conference ran between June 13 and 16, 2023 in Hanoi.

Professor Lumbiganon delivered a speech at the opening ceremony to specialists, scientists, and medical professionals gathered from 25 countries in region and around the world.

AOFOG is an organization of the national societies of Obstetrics & Gynecology of countries in the Asia region to promote the science and art of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology, to support the study and implementation of population control, and to promote international cooperation and goodwill particularly in Asia & Oceania.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

The Tropical Disease Research Center (TDRC), KKU recently hosted a three-day Workshop on Lawa Model: One Health in Action from May 31 to June 2, 2023 with the support of Chevron Corporation and the Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN). The course covered the principles of One Health, extensive examples of diseases and disaster, and explored the Lawa Model, with an optional short field visit to witness the Lawa Model in action.

The optional field visit and workshop were primarily arranged for professionals from health and related fields from ASEAN countries. The field visit’s objectives were to provide participants with on-site exposure to the Lawa Model as a One Health showcase, enabling them to receive practical experience and knowledge to apply to emerging health issues in their respective countries.

The Lawa Model has been recognized nationally and internationally as one of two showcase models for helminth control by WHO/NZD4. The Lawa Model, applying One Health approach, has been recommended for the control of foodborne trematode infections by WHO Western Pacific Region. For over a decade the Lawa community has been a training site for health professionals and researchers from Thailand and around the world to learn about One Health approach.

Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine

Professor Dr. Banchob Sripa, Director of KKU-TDRC

Dr. Vipat Kuruchittham, Executive Director of SEAOHUN

Ms. Dee Bourbon, Senior Social Investment Advisor of Chevron Corporation

The first day commenced with welcome and opening session by Professor Dr. Banchob Sripa, Director of Tropical Disease Research Center, who delivered the project report.

“The Tropical Disease Research Center or TDRC introduced a new control strategy for liver fluke infection using the One Health approach in the endemic Lawa Lake area of Khon Kaen Province,” said Professor Sripa.

“The program, now known as the Lawa Model, has gained national and international recognition and today we are pleased to have more than 35 participants taking part in the field trip workshop from SEAOHUN member countries including Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, and two participants from India and Bangladesh.”

It was then a great honor for TDRC to invite Dr. Vipat Kuruchittham, Executive Director of SEAOHUN, and Ms. Dee Bourbon, Senior Social Investment Advisor of Chevron Corporation, important sponsors to deliver a speech to all participants.

Associate Professor Apichat Jiravuttipong, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, presided over the opening ceremony and delivered the welcome and opening speech.

“Today we gather for the Lawa Model field trip, where qualified participants will witness the Model in action,” said the KKU-MD president.

“Through this immersive experience, you will gain practical knowledge to address emerging health challenges in your own countries, I believe.”

On the opening day, all participants were introduced to the project background information and orientation for the field trip by Professor Sripa. They were also provided with ice-breaking activities and allowed to join group discussion sharing experiences and discuss community health problems in their countries to create lessons learned from each group.

Day 1: Sharing One Health experiences and discussing current community health problems

On the second day, participants observed the Lawa Model in practice at the Lawa Lake community. They firstly had a meeting at Lawa Health Promoting Hospital on an overview of liver flukes and Lawa Model, waste management, and demonstration of Lawa Model. The next visit was at Banlawa School to observe a demonstration of liver fluke-free school and then to Lawa households to observe local fermented fish production.

Meeting at Lawa Health Promoting Hospital

A demonstration of liver fluke-free school

Observing local fermented fish production

Next Dr. Sirikachorn Tangkawattana led all participants to visit animal and environmental health sites. The TDRC team demonstrated proper pet healthcare and animal restraint. Then they moved to an environmental modification area at Don Pordaeng Village, the final station of the field trip. They visited a lake site where a road was constructed to reduce the population of Bithynia snails, and they also observed Lawa fishermen catching fish from the lake.

A demonstration of pet healthcare

Visiting an environmental modification area at Don Pordaeng Village

The third day involved debrief and course wrap-up and reflection. The participants reported back on their experiences and learnings they were able to apply to health problem solving through final group presentations.

Day 3: Debrief and wrap-up and course reflection

We hope all participants increased their One Health concept knowledge and will successfully integrate it into community health solutions in their own countries.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Prof. Bowornsilp Chowchuen and delegates from KKU-MD’s Tawanchai Foundation for Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Deformities (TFC) joined Nakhon Phanom Provincial Health Officers and medical scholars at a conference at Khammouane Provincial Hospital, Lao PDR between April 24 and 25, 2023. The conference was hosted by Dr. Somsaat Ounsida, Khammouane Vice Governor and Ms. Thitiya Panmanee, Consul of the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Savannakhet.

This is the third collaboration conference under the MOU between Khammouane Provincial Hospital, Lao PDR and Nakhon Phanom Provincial Health Office, Thailand. The collaboration aims to enhance medical health services for patients with cleft lip, cleft palate and craniofacial deformities in Khammouane and nearby provinces.

On this occasion Dr. Ounsida expressed his appreciation to medical professionals for their dedication and strong collaboration, and also his gratitude to Prof. Chowchuen for financial aid for medical treatment.

This important collaboration enables Lao patients to increase their confidence in their daily lives, and improve their communication and overall quality of life.

Sources: https://pr.moph.go.th/index.php?url=pr/detail/2/03/190265/

https://fb.watch/k8CAV2DSaO/

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

The Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University hosted the 8^th Khon Kaen University International Challenge on Emergency Medicine and related basic science 2023 (KKU ICEM 2023) between March 15 and 20, 2023. KKU ICEM is a competition focused on emergency conditions and their management.  International medical students compete against each other in clinical workshops and academic competitions as well as share cultural experiences.

At the opening ceremony Assoc. Prof. Praew Kotruchin, MD, Project Advisor to the 8^th KKU ICEM; welcomed the delegates “We have put every effort in to making this year the best that we can. I hope you enjoy the competition. Of course, the competition isn’t all about winning but also about making friends, connections, and having fun,” she said. “Apart from academic activities, I’m sure our medical students will share  their Thai culture with and develop friendships for the future,” she added.

Prof. Songsak Kiatchoosakun, MD, Director of Srinagarind Hospital, then delivered an opening speech. “This event will be a great opportunity for you to gain meaningful experiences and to utilize in your future medical careers,” he stated.

KKU ICEM included cardiovascular and general emergency workshops for the students to learn from professional cardiologists and emergency physicians.

The cardiovascular emergency workshop had opportunities for the participants to gain experience in echocardiogram, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), ECG interpretation, and murmur auscultation.

They also had opportunities in the general emergency workshop for experience with endotracheal tube intubation, intercostal drainage (ICD), first aid in vascular injury, and advanced trauma life support (ATLS).

KKU ICEM academic team and individual competitions had 4 rounds: multiple choice question, modified essay question, semi-finals, and finals. The competition winners are shown below:

In addition to the academic experiences, KKU ICEM participants also joined in cultural exchange activities, such as Khon Kaen trips and night events where they spent their time together enjoying traditional shows and making new friends.

They visited important attractions in Khon Kaen: Wat Nong Waeng, a 9-storey pagoda temple with a 360-degree panoramic view of Khon Kaen city from the top, Mekin Farm, Nong Rua to see organic plantations and cook healthy homemade dish and desserts, and Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum, a geological museum exhibiting dinosaur fossils.

KKU ICEM organized an “Esan Fun Fair” where participants joined various activities costumes, such as Thai folk plays, Isan folk music and performance, and local food. The successful “Temple Fair” party, with participants in colorful national costumes, was a fitting farewell celebration of the week of academic, clinical, and multicultural exchange experiences.

Participants were clear they had a great time at KKU ICEM, and it was a great honor for KKU-MD to have had them here.

“I would like to express my gratitude to everyone for gracing this competition with your presence. Thank you for being a part of this competition and hope you had a great time with us,” said Miss Passamon Engchanil, KKU medical student and President of the 8^th KKU ICEM in her farewell comments.

Assoc. Prof. Apichat Jiravuttipong, MD, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine also warmly farewelled the delegates: “On behalf of Khon Kaen University, Faculty of Medicine, we are very grateful to have each and all of you as a part of this year KKU ICEM. I hope you all have great memories and are full of knowledge and fun to take home with you.”

Source: https://www.facebook.com/kkuicem

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

Khon Kaen University Phenome Centre hosted the 1^st International Reinventing University Roadmap for Phenomics Symposium (IRURP Symposium) and Short Course in Clinical and Natural Product Metabolomics in Phenomics for Precision Medicine (CliNaP–M) #5 between February 6^th and 10^th, 2023 at KKU Northeastern Science Park. The events were co-arranged with the KKU Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute (CARI), the office of KKU Research and Graduate Studies (RGS), the Division of Research and International Relations Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, and the following national and international academic networks; the Center of Multidisciplinary Technology for Advanced Medicine (CMUTEAM), Chiang Mai University, the Siriraj Long-Read Lab (Si-LoL), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B), Australian National Phenome Centre, Murdoch University, Australia, and Imperial College London, UK.

On February 6, 2023, Assoc.Prof.Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, MD, President of Khon Kaen University,  presided over the opening ceremony and  delivered a welcome speech. “Phenomics-research integration is a way to cover every dimension of study including problem analysis to receive high medical precision. It particularly provides high effectiveness to overcome Cholangiocarcinoma, and it will be improved to solve other public health problems of Thailand in the future,” he said. “Phenomics can be beneficial to expression analysis of genes from responses to stimuli, such as food, drug and drink consumption, stress, and disease through chemical reaction analysis such as RNA using advanced analytical technology in order to gain an insight into the relationships between phenomena happening in our body and health conditions. This basic data can be not only used for medical decision-making by medical practitioners but also applied to quality assurance, agricultural material selection, food processing, and pharmaceutical industry because it enables us to analyze many types of substances at once with high precision, low error rate, and low cost,” he added.

The IRURP Symposium took place under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Khon Kaen University and Murdoch University, Australia.  KKU was honored to welcome two Global Top 1% researchers in health sciences as keynote speakers: 1) Prof. Dr. Jeremy Nicholson, Director of Australian National Phenome Centre, Murdoch University and Imperial College London, and 2) Prof. Dr. Elaine Holmes, Deputy Director of the Australian National Phenome Centre, Murdoch University.

Further invited  speakers came from both Thailand and abroad including Dr. Sze How Bong, Manager, Australian National Phenome Centre, Murdoch University, Dr. Jia Li, Reader in Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dumnoensun Pruksakorn, Director of Center of Multidisciplinary Technology for Advanced Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Dr. Thidathip Wongsurawat, Head, Division of Medical Bioinformatics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Prof. Dr. Chatchai Muanprasat, Coordinator of BCG Frontier Research Cluster, PMU-B, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Chairperson of KKU Phenome Centre. All of them spoke on the importance of phenomics research in diverse areas: medical sciences, food, agriculture and technology to raise awareness on phenomics research and future implementation in Thailand. Over 200 national and international researchers heard the presentations at the first seminar.

In the opening day KKU administrators and speakers visited the KKU Phenome Centre. The centre provides researchers with services for testing metabolites, Flash Column Chromatography, and Metabolomics short course training.

There were additional opportunities for poster presentations and 3-minute thesis pitching competitions.

In addition to the symposium, KKU also provided a Short Course in Clinical and Natural Product Metabolomics in Phenomics for Precision Medicine (CliNaP-M) #5. The course’ objectives were: 1) to expand researchers’ knowledge of systems biology and investigation of metabolic profiles, 2) to provide an opportunity for researchers to share knowledge and build research collaboration, and 3) to train researchers to gain more knowledge and skills in conducting and publishing their research.

Prof. Nicholson, Prof. Holmes, and Dr. Bong also participated in the Reinventing University Roadmap. They met KKU president and visited researchers in KKU’s Faculties of Medicine, Agriculture, Technology, Dentistry, Associated Medical Sciences, Science, and Pharmaceutical Sciences to discuss the development of phenomics-interdisciplinary research integration and collaboration between our faculties and the Australian National Phenome Centre, Murdoch University.

The Phenomics Symposium was a highly successful event for fostering phenomics at KKU and developing international research partnerships for translational research in health and applied science technology. In particular KKU students and researchers have opportunities to work closely with Murdoch University and research advancement and collaborative proposals to international funding agencies.  KKU has made an important start to improving its world ranking through ideas and material exchange and strengthened collaboration with Murdoch University, and most importantly creating a management plan for gaining international funding for phenomics research.

Click the links below to watch honorary talks.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith