Official Visit and Discussion with Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

From March 5–8, 2025, the Office of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, the Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C., participated in a delegation from Thailand led by Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), Ubon Ratchathani University Science Park, and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). The visit aimed to strengthen and expand collaborations within the U.S. science park network, supporting research advancement and facilitating the transfer of technology into market-ready products within a fully integrated innovation ecosystem.

The delegation engaged in discussions with representatives from Research Triangle Park (RTP), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. Additionally, they visited learning centers and research laboratories within the RTP network to study the development and operational models of science parks, as well as key factors contributing to their success.

Meeting with Mr. Jimmy Rosen, CEO and Director, READDI (Rapid Emerging Antiviral Drug Development Initiative), Mr. Fletcher Fairey, Executive Vice President for Business and Mr. Logan Ward, Director of Communications and visiting Alexandria Real Estate Equities – Center for Advanced Technologies/LaunchLabs at Research Triangle Park.

Mr. Jimmy Rosen provides an overview of READDI in Research Triangle Park.

Meeting with Professor Mark Crowell, Co-Founder and President, Arkane Innovation, Professor of the Practice, Eshelman Innovation, University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Professor Peter Coclanis, Director of the Global Research Institute Albert R. Newsome Distinguished Professor of History, and Dr. Balaji Vasudevan, Operations and Program Manager, KickStart Venture Services at the FedEx Global Education Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Professor Mark Crowell provides an overview of research transfer and innovation initiatives in Research Triangle Park and universities in the US.

Dr. Balaji Vasudevan discusses Carolina KickStart Venture Services and its impact on entrepreneurship and innovation

Mr. Emil Runge, Director, Launch Chapel Hill and Ms. Julia Lutz, Community Manager, Innovate Carolina provide an overview and lead a tour UNC-Chapel Hill’s Innovate Carolina Junction.

Ms. Jennifer Pancorbo, Director, Industry Programs and Research, Biomanufacturing Training & Education Center (BTEC), provides an overview and leads a tour of BTEC at North Carolina State University (NCSU) Centennial Campus.

Mr. Ryan Combs, Executive Director, Research Triangle Regional Partnership, Ms. Keisha Demps, Director of Partnerships, NCSU Centennial Campus, Mr. Rohan Shirwaiker and Mr. Bill Aimutis, Co-Directors, Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein, and Mr. Adrian Percy, Director NCSU Plant Sciences Initiative, provide an overview of their respective agencies and operations.

Mr. Christian Brown, Director, Life Sciences Economic Development, North Carolina Biotechnology Center and Mr. Andrew Holton, chief operating officer of Research Triangle Foundation provide an overview of their respective agencies and operations.