The Office of the Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C. (OHESDC), hosted the Friend of Thai Science 2024 Award Presentation Ceremony to honor Distinguished Professor Dr. Mark Gregory Robson and Dr. Natcha Thawesaengskulthai. The event took place at the Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C., recognizing their outstanding contributions to the advancement of science, technology, and innovation in Thailand. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Ms. Chuliepote Isarankura Na Ayudhaya, Charge d'affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy, who presented the awards. Joining the celebration were Minister-Counselors from various offices of the Royal Thai Embassy, as well as distinguished guests from the academic and diplomatic communities.
In their acceptance speeches, Prof. Robson and Dr. Natcha expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) for this prestigious recognition. Both recipients described the award as a profound honor for their families and an enduring source of inspiration to continue fostering collaboration and supporting Thailand’s scientific development.
Distinguished Professor Mark Gregory Robson, PhD, MPH
Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Rutgers School of Graduate Studies – Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
For thirty years Mark Robson has collaborated with Thai scientists in academia and government on research and teaching. Mark’s affiliation with The Kingdom of Thailand actually started in the early 1980s when he was a graduate school classmate of Dr. Prasert Chitapong former President of Prince of Songkla University (PSU) and Senator from Songkla Province. Dr. Chitapong took his PhD at Rutgers.
In the 1990s, Mark was invited to develop an NIH proposal with the PSU faculty on health and environmental exposures. This initial collaboration served as the basis of Mark being invited, in 2001, to teach in the Asian Development Bank Program (ADB) in Environmental Management at Environmental Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University (ERIC) https://eric.chula.ac.th The initial collaboration included instructors from five major Thai universities. Mark continues to teach this class every year and is one of the few original instructors still teaching the program. To date hundreds of Thai students, as well as many other students from SE Asia have taken this class and are academic and governmental leaders in the Kingdom and throughout Asia.
The ERIC course is still ongoing and has had a major impact on Thai citizens by providing a cohort of trained young scientists to improve the quality of life in the Kingdom and building Thailand’s scientific capacity in health science and engineering. In January 2005, just after the Tsunami that devastated parts of Southern Thailand Mark served as a Fulbright Senior Scientist at PSU working with the PSU medical school to do environmental impact assessments after this event and then successfully competed with Prof. Dr. Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong at PSU, for a four year Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant to build environmental health capacity in Southern Thailand and Indonesia.
Dr. Robson was the principal investigator on a seven year NIH Fogarty International Training in Research in Environmental and Occupational Health Project (ITREOH) which was located at Chulalongkorn College of Public Health Science. Collaborating with Prof. Dr. Surasak Taneepanichskul. In this project a number of MPH and PhD students were supported and trained. Dr Robson served as co-advisor to 28 Thai graduate students. https://eohsi.rutgers.edu/thai-fogarty-itreoh-center
Following the ITREOH project, Dr. Robson was a co-principal investigator with Dr. Susan Woskie from the University of Massachusetts in the US and Professor Dr. Pornpimol Kongtip at Mahidol University for another successful. This was the NIH Fogarty GEOHealth Hub project. Like the ITREOH the GEOHealth program supported MPH, PhD, and Postdoctoral scientists.
Dr. Robson’s commitment to his students continues. He maintains strong relationships with the majority of his advisees and works with them to develop their programs and advance their careers. For example just this year he was a keynote for the first International Conference of PHAS. “Global Health: Multi Approach for Primary Healthcare System” in July 2024 for Faculty of Public Health and Allied Health Sciences, Praboromarajchanok Institute for Assistant Professor Buppha Raksanam. In June he was a featured speaker at the Department of Research and Medical Innovation, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital for former student Assistant Professor Dr. Jadsada Kunno.
In 2010 Dr. Robson was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Chulalongkorn University for his scientific work in the Kingdom of Thailand. This was conferred upon him by HRH Crown Princess Sirindhorn. Mark refers to this as the proudest accomplishment in his academic career. Dr. Robson’s ongoing commitment to Thai science is evident in his research and training of hundreds of the brightest and most talented young scientists in the Kingdom.
Natcha Thawesaengskulthai, PhD., PMP, AFHEA
Program Manager, Business, Innovation and Economic Development,
Montgomery County Executive Office, Maryland
Executive Committee, the World bank Family Network (WBFN)
Former Vice President and Associate Professor in Industrial Engineering,
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Dr. Natcha Thawesaengskulthai has been instrumental in fostering STEAM collaboration between Thailand and the USA. Her leadership in establishing the Global Innovation Club has created a dynamic environment for innovation, connecting global agencies, governments, academic networks, private partners, and investors. Chaired by the Ambassador of Thailand to the United States of America and supported by partners from public and private organizations (i.e., BOI, NXPO, NIA, DEPA, DITP, DIP, Innospace, Thai startup association, Techsauce, CU Enterprises), the club aims to accelerate Thailand's scaleup. A key achievement is the strategic partnership between Chulalongkorn University and Cornell University, known as the Cornell Global Hub Network. This collaboration focuses on addressing global research challenges, enhancing the educational and research capabilities of both institutions through joint projects, student and faculty exchanges, and collaborative events. Dr. Natcha established a significant collaboration between Chulalongkorn University's School of Integrated Innovation and the University of California, Berkeley, facilitating student and faculty exchanges. This partnership has provided valuable opportunities for Thai students to gain global exposure and experience.
In 2022, Chawin, a student from Chulalongkorn, won the Berkeley Startup Acceleration Competition with his startup SOPet, which also received the People’s Choice Award. Additionally, Chawin's team was the first runner-up in the Berkeley Challenge Lab Competition, highlighting the success and impact of this international collaboration. Dr. Natcha helped establish a startup collaboration bridge between Montgomery County, Maryland, and Thailand (i.e. National Innovation Agency, The Federation of Thai Industries). Formalized through an MOU in July 2024, this initiative provides international soft-landing support for Thai companies expanding to the USA and US companies to Thailand. The collaboration includes office and laboratory facilities, fundraising support, regulatory and legal assistance, market access, HR support, and branding. Under Dr. Natcha's guidance, the Chula Deeptech Demo Day 2023 was a significant event that showcased over 100 deeptech enterprises, attracting over 500 global representatives, including investors and experts from the USA. The event highlighted the collaborative efforts in STEAM fields, demonstrating the potential for Thai and US partnerships to drive technological advancements and economic growth. Top Thai deep technology startups include Baiya Phytopharm Co., Ltd., which uses plant-based technology to develop next-generation immunotherapies, novel treatments, and vaccines; HG Robotics Co., Ltd., specializing in drone and robotic systems for agriculture; Nabsolute Co., Ltd., which develops delivery systems for healthcare products using nano-modified biopolymers; Mineed Technology Co., Ltd., utilizing patentprotected microneedle technology for drug delivery; and CrystalLyte Co., Ltd., which creates highperformance carbon nanomaterials to improve EV battery performance and collaborates with industrial partners to develop battery parts for EVs. Dr. Natcha's contributions have been recognized with the Prime Minister Award: National Startup 2023 in the Evangelist of the Year category. Her efforts have significantly raised awareness of STEAM education and innovation, fostering a robust ecosystem that addresses global challenges.
Since 2018, the Office has been presenting the "Friend of Thai Science" honorary award to individuals who have made significant contributions to Thailand's scientific community, produced outstanding research and demonstrated expertise, or created benefits for Thailand and humanity. Between 2018 and 2023, a total of 12 individuals have received this honor — 11 from the United States and 1 from Canada.
In 2024, the Office issued an open invitation through its website and communication channels, encouraging agencies, associations, and individuals to nominate qualified candidates. As a result, two individuals have successfully passed the selection process. The Office of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, the Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C., extends its heartfelt congratulations to the two recipients of the Friend of Thai Science Award 2024.
For more information on the Friend of Thai Science Award, please visit https://www.ohesdc.org/friend-of-thai-science-award.
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