Volume 19 Number 1 (January - April 2012) - Mahidol University

The International Newsletter of Mahidol University, Thailand
MAHIDOL UNIVERSITYSpectrum
Wisdom of the Land
ISSN 0859-6670 Volume 19 • Number 1 • January - April 2012 • www.mahidol.ac.th
Mahidol University
Proud Host of
Contents »
News »
CMMU launches Senior Executive Education
Program - Strategy and Innovation for
Businesses in Asia (SIBA).
5 6 8
The ASEAN Column »
The latest “Mahidol University to ASEAN 2015”
activities: A series of events aiming to create a
greater awareness of the ASEAN Community.
Research »
Spectrum talks to Assoc. Prof. Prayad
Pokethitiyook, Faculty of Science, Mahidol
University about his research into the use of marine
green algae as a source of biodiesel.

2 » Features
The APAIE 2012
Conference and Exhibition
Founded in 2004, and conceived as
a way to unite education institutions
from across the Asia Pacific region, the
Asia-Pacific Association for International
Education (APAIE) has become widely
recognized as a leading foundation in
the support of international educators,
students and institutions.
From 4 th – 6 th April 2012, Mahidol
University was the proud host of the 7 th
APAIE Conference & Exhibition, also
known as APAIE 2012. Each annual
conference is intended to act as a
reflection of the host university, its city
and culture; therefore, APAIE 2012
brought together around 800 education
professionals from across the globe
under the theme “University Social
Responsibility for the Benefit of
Mankind”.
The view that universities have an
obligation to benefit the communities
they are part of is one that has become
more prevalent over recent years. APAIE
2012 explored this theme further, and
provided an excellent opportunity for
university executives from around the
world to discuss their universities’ social
responsibility and debate global issues
and challenges in higher education from
different international perspectives.
Via the conference sub-themes of
Educational System Development,
Student and University Staff Development
and University and Society, APAIE 2012
examined issues including quality
assurance, student mobility, and
the impact of universities upon society.
His Excellency Mr. Kasem Watanachai,
Privy Councilor of Thailand delivered the
opening address in which he reminded
the audience that “Universities exert a
considerable influence on the
development and well-being of society”.
He added that he believed “Universities
can lead-the-way in tackling the complex
problems facing the world.” APAIE 2012
also welcomed many other distinguished
guests, including M.R. Disnadda Diskul,
Secretary of the Mae Fah Luang
Foundation under the Royal Patronage
and Dr. Gwang-Jo Kim, Director of
UNESCO Bangkok, who delivered the
opening and closing lectures
respectively. Other highlights of the event
included a Presidential Roundtable which
brought together executives from top
global institutions to discuss “University
and Social Responsibility”.
University Social
for the Benefit

Features « 3
Presidential Roundtable
Dr. Gwang-Jo Kim
Director, UNESCO Bangkok
M.R. Disnadda Diskul
Secretary of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation
Responsibility
of Mankind
In his closing remarks, Prof. Rajata
Rajatanavin, President, Mahidol
University, thanked all that had helped
make the event such as success. He
added that the event would also help the
region prepare for 2015 and the
establishment of the ASEAN Economic
Community.
APAIE 2012 also marked the retirement
of Prof. Doo-Hee Lee from his role of
President of APAIE. Prof. Lee was the
founder of APAIE and over the last eight
years in association with APAIE’s board
of directors has helped guide its growth
and development. During the closing
ceremony, colleagues paid tribute to his
vision and determination in establishing
APAIE. Prof. Lee was awarded the title
of Honorary President of APAIE and is
succeeded as President by Prof. Gordon
Cheung from the Chinese University of
Hong Kong.
At the close of the event, participants
stated that they were looking forward to
APAIE 2013, which will be hosted by the
Chinese University of Hong Kong.
To learn more about APAIE, please visit
http://www.apaie.org.
Special Thanks
APAIE 2012 would not have been
possible without the dedication of a
large number of people. Spectrum
would therefore like to thank, Prof.
Doo-Hee Lee, President of APAIE and
its Board of Directors and Steering
Committee and Mr. Roger Bendall for
their guidance. We would also like to
thank APAIE 2012’s international
and local sponsors for their generosity,
Mahidol University’s organizing
committee and Conference Online for
their expert support and coordination.
Finally, we would like to give special
mention to APAIE 2012’s student
helpers and support staff for their
enthusiasm throughout the conference;
you were greatly appreciated by all who
attended.

4 » News
The Prince Mahidol
Awards 2011
Dr. David T. Wong
Prof. Aaron T. Beck
Dr. Ruth F. Bishop
The Prince Mahidol Award Foundation
under Royal patronage was established
on the 1 st January 1992 to commemorate
the centenary of the birth of His Royal
Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla,
the founder and namesake of Mahidol
University. Each year, the Foundation
confers two Prince Mahidol Awards upon
individual(s) or institution(s) which have
demonstrated outstanding and
exemplary contributions to the world’s
medical and public health services. Over
the years, 59 individuals, groups or
institutions have received the award, two
of whom (Prof. Dr. Barry James Marshall
and Prof. Dr. Harald Zur Hausen), went
on to become Nobel Laureates.
This year, their Majesties the King
and Queen of Thailand graciously
designated Her Royal Highness,
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to
preside over the Presentation Ceremony,
which took place at the Chakri Throne
Hall on the 25 th January.
Prof. Beck developed cognitive
behavioral therapy in the early 1960s to
treat those suffering from depression.
This method focuses on how thinking
affects the way a person feels and acts,
and helps to modify their behavior and
emotional responses. Prof. Beck has
since become known as “The Father of
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy”. Dr. Wong
discovered fluoxetine, a selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor. 15 years
later, the US Food and Drug
Administration (US FDA) approved
fluoxetine as an antidepressant drug
under the trade name Prozac. Prozac
has since helped more than 100 million
patients suffering from depression.
Prof. Beck and Dr. Wong were joined by
Dr. Ruth F. Bishop, Professional Fellow,
Dept. of Paediatrics, University of
Melbourne, Australia, Prince Mahidol
Award 2011 Laureate in the field of
Public Health for “outstanding work on
Rotavirus and vaccine against Rotavirus
diarrhea”. Dr. Bishop was the first person
to discover that diarrhea in children
under six years old was caused by
Rotavirus. She also demonstrated that
natural neonatal rotavirus infection
provided immunity against severe
diarrheal disease. This laid the
groundwork for the development of a
Rotavirus vaccine. This vaccine has
since been widely accepted and is now
used in more than 60 countries including
Thailand; thus, saving lives and
improving the health of millions of
children worldwide.
Nominations for The Prince Mahidol
Award 2012
Until 31 st May 2012, The Prince Mahidol
Award Foundation invite you to nominate
candidates for next year’s awards. For
more information, including details of the
on-line nomination process, please visit
.
Receiving the Prince Mahidol Award
2011 in the field of Medicine were Prof.
Aaron T. Beck, Prof. Emer. Psychiatry,
University of Pennsylvania, US and Dr.
David T. Wong, Adjunctive Prof,
Neurobiology, Indiana University School
of Medicine, US who received their
awards for “outstanding contributions in
the development of cognitive behavioral
therapy” and “ outstanding contributions
in the discovery of fluoxetine” respectively.
The Prince Mahidol Award 2011 Laureates were guests of honor at a Luncheon Reception,
held at the Royal Princess Hotel, Bangkok on 27 th January 2012. Prof. Aaron T. Beck was
represented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Paul. M. Grant, University of Pennsylvania, US (front row, right)

CMMU launches Senior Executive
Education Program – SIBA
News « 5
SIBA Session in Bangkok (27 th February - 2 nd March 2012)
The College of Management Mahidol
University (CMMU), recently launched
“Strategy and Innovation for
Businesses in Asia” or SIBA, a projectbased
senior executive education
program that aims to build the strategic
and innovative management practices of
its participants in order to better compete
in the Asian market. This program is the
collaboration between CMMU and MIT
Sloan School of Management,
Massachusetts, US.
training session at CMMU followed by a
week at MIT Sloan School of
Management, US.
On 16 th March 2012, SIBA’s first batch
of senior executives returned from their
training session in the US, reporting that
they were very satisfied with the
program and ready to apply what they
had learned to their own companies.
(From left) Asst. Dr. Vichita Ractham
(Vice Dean for Academic Services, CMMU),
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rassmidara Hoonsawat
(Dean, CMMU), Dr. Chaiyawat Wibulsawasdi
(Chairman, SIBA Senior Advisory Board),
Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak, Prof. Rajata
Rajatanavin (President, Mahidol University),
and Lecturer Natwut Amornvivat Executive
Program Director, CMMU)
SIBA is supervised by Asst. Prof.
Dr. Vichita Ractham, Vice Dean for
Academic Services and Program Chair
of Innovation in Management
International Program at CMMU, and
lecturer Natwut Amornvivat, Executive
Program Director. It offers a one week
SIBA Session at MIT
Sloan School of
Management, US
(12 th – 16 th March 2012)
Creative Economy
Institute Unveiled
On the 23 rd March 2012, Mahidol
University introduced its project to
establish a Creative Academy for Cultural
and Heritage Tourism. The Academy
aims to develop model communities
in cultural tourism. These will be based
on research into trends in tourism,
the transfer of industry know-how, plus
the support of intellectual property
management, entrepreneurship
education, integrated business
counseling, and training programs.
The launch event, which was held at
Mahidol University International College,
featured a keynote speech by former
prime minister and leader of Thailand’s
Democrat Party Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva
entitled “Policy on Creative Economy and
Thailand’s Tourism”. The event also
featured a panel discussion, “Creative
Tourism and Life Enrichment”, which
included columnist Ms. Ploy Jariyavej;
theme village operator, Ms. Patara
Sahawat; and actor, Mr. Jesdaporn
Pholdee, all of whom shared their views
on how to promote creative industry and
cultural tourism.
The event was also attended by Mahidol
University executives led by Prof. Rajata
Rajatanavin, President, Mahidol University.
Prof. Rajata Rajatanavin, President (left)
with Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, Leader of
the Democrat Party (right)

6 » The ASEAN Column
Countdown
to 2015
An increased regional stability through
greater cultural and political understanding
is just one of the anticipated benefits
of the establishment of the ASEAN
Community in 2015. Unfortunately,
many people across the region remain
unaware of the community and
the opportunities and challenges
it will bring. Others consider ASEAN to
be mostly an academic or political issue,
only of concern to government officials.
For these reasons, Mahidol University
and its faculties continues to embark on
a series of activities intending to create a
greater awareness of the ASEAN
Community and its importance to
the region’s future.
On the 8 th March 2012, Mahidol University
was honored to welcome His Excellency
ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr. Surin
Pitsuwan (pictured), who delivered an
address entitled “A Next Step forward for
Thai Universities in ASEAN”, at the MU
Open Door to ASEAN forum and
exhibition. This event was one of the
latest activities under the “Mahidol
University to ASEAN 2015” banner; a
series of events intending to create a
greater awareness of the ASEAN
Community. During his address,
Dr. Pitsuwan informed the audience
H.E. ASEAN Secretary-General,
Dr. Surin Pitsuwan
gathered at the Mahidol Learning Center,
Salaya that “Education is an important
mechanism in the development of quality
and competent human resources that
would enhance in Thailand’s
competitiveness ASEAN and the world.”
Following this, Prof. Rajata Rajatanavin,
President, reaffirmed Mahidol
University’s commitment to excellence
in research. He added that the university
needs to develop graduates who have
good analytical and conceptual skills and
the ability to integrate knowledge from
several fields of study. Other activities
and events held from 8 th to 9 th March
2012 under the MU to ASEAN banner
included an exhibition “A Journey through
ASEAN”, games, ASEAN food
and music.
Collaboration through friendship
Across Mahidol University, the
importance of the ASEAN Community is
being recognized and individual faculties
and institutes are organizing their own
ASEAN-related events. In fact, the
ASEAN Institute for Health Development
(AIHD) are once again in the process
Prof. Rajata Rajatanavin, President and
Assoc. Prof. Yaowalark Sukthana,
Vice President for Education,
Mahidol University
of planning their latest “ASEAN Camp
on Friendship and Cultural Exchange”.
Greater regional cooperation is crucial to
the future of health development in the
region; therefore, this annual event aims
to provide AIHD students with information
about the ASEAN Community. Previous
events have helped create friendships
and greater understanding between
young people. As 2015 approaches, it is
hoped that these bonds will grow
stronger and lead to greater regional
collaboration in the field of human
and public health.

University Executives
Receive National Awards
in Medicine and Public Health
Awards « 7
On the 8 th March 2012, Prof. Rajata
Rajatanavin, President and Assoc. Prof. Pithaya
Charupoonphol, Dean, Faculty of Public Health,
Mahidol University were honored with the 2011
National Hospital Administrator Award
(Specialized Hospital Administrator Category)
and National Preventative Medicine Practitioner
Award (Public Health Category) respectively.
Presented by the Hospital Administrators
Association and Preventative Medicine
Association of Thailand, the awards recognize
the dedication and outstanding achievements of
hospital administrators and practitioners of
Medicine and Public Health.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sooksan Kantabutra,
Program Chair of Human Resource
Management, International Program,
at the College of Management Mahidol
University (CMMU) received an
“Outstanding Leadership Award” at the
World HRD Congress 2012 in Mumbai,
India. The award is one of the most
prestigious in the field of Human
Resources and Dr. Kantabutra is the first
Thai scholar to receive it.
Outstanding Leadership
in Human Resources
Held annually over the past 20 years,
the World HRD Congress is a non-profit
organization. Past recipients of awards
include professors from some of the
world’s top business schools including
the London Business School, ESSEC
Business School in France, the
University of Michigan School of
Business Administration in the USA,
Instituto de Empresa Business School
in Spain, and The Hong Kong University
of Science and Technology Business
School.
During the award ceremony,
Dr. Kantabutra delivered his address
entitled “Sufficiency Economy Leadership
Practices: A Thai Approach to Corporate
Sustainability”, which was well received
by the audience. At CMMU,
Dr. Kantabutra has been instrumental
in designing the CMMU Master of
Management in HR program, the first
Master’s program of its kind in Thailand.
To learn more about CMMU’s Master of
Management in HR program, please visit
http://www.cmmu.mahidol.ac.th/cmmu/
Young Veterinarian Award
Department of Biomedical Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering.
Congratulations to Dr. Warangkhana
Panwanich, a graduate student from the
Master of Engineering Program in
Biomedical Engineering, on winning the
“Young Veterinarian Oral Presentation
Award” at the 37 th International
Conference on Veterinary Science held
on the 2 nd March 2012 at the IMPACT
Exhibition and Convention Center,
Muang Thongtani, Thailand.
Dr. Panwanich received the award for her
presentation entitled “Animal-assisted
therapy for persons with disabilities via
brain-computer interface system” and
was supported by her advisor, Asst. Prof.
Yodchanan Wongsawat from the
The Department of Biomedical
Engineering was founded in 2005.
Currently, the department offers
academic programs at the Bachelor’s,
Master’s and Ph.D levels. Adopting a
multi-disciplinary approach to research,
the department collaborates with many
of Mahidol University’s medical
institutions, including the Faculty of
Veterinary Science.
To learn more about the Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of
Engineering, please visit http://www.
eg.mahidol.ac.th/dept/egbe/

8 » Research
Advances in Biodiesel Production from Alage:
An Interview with Assoc. Prof. Prayad Pokethitiyook, Faculty of Science
The world’s reserves of crude oil are finite. In fact, many people believe
that we may have already passed the point of peak oil production using
traditional methods such as drilling. However, the demand for fuel remains.
As a result, there has been a move toward the extraction of oil from
non-traditional sources, such as tar sands. Unfortunately, these activities may
not be enough to meet the global demand and they are often associated
with adverse environmental impacts. The production of Biodiesel from
natural products is therefore a promising alternative. Spectrum took the
opportunity to meet with Assoc. Prof. Prayad Pokethitiyook, Chairman of the
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science; a leading expert in the
production of biodiesel from marine green algae.
Spectrum: Can you give our readers a
little background into the use of algae
in the energy sector?
Assoc. Prof. Pokethitiyook: Research
into algae production was originally
focused on the animal feed industry,
particularly aquaculture, but then
producers noticed that algae produces
oil in the form of lipids when under
stress conditions i.e. not receiving
enough food in the form of Nitrates or
Ammonia. There are many species of
green algae that produce oil. However,
we need to identify species that
accumulate lipids (oil) in droplet form and
have thin membranes, as this makes
them easier to break down. We also
need to use marine algae as these
species are less likely to be consumed
by zooplankton (micro-predators) when
grown in open, in-land pond systems.
Spectrum: How can biodiesel from
algae be produced in the amounts
needed?
can reduce the cost of biodiesel
produced from algae by 25% we could
be much more competitive. Therefore,
within the next year or two, we plan to
establish a pilot plant at the Faculty of
Science in order to study the
commercialization of this process. The
current world leaders in this technology
are China, the US, New Zealand and
Australia. However, Thailand is in a good
position.
Spectrum: You are a member of THINK
ALGAE. Can you tell our readers more
about this network?
Assoc. Prof. Pokethitiyook: THINK
ALGAE is sponsored by the Petroleum
Authority of Thailand (PTT) and is a
consortium of organizations including
PTT, Mahidol University, TISTR, Biotec-
NSTDA, King Mongkut University of
Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) and
Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of
Engineering. It is in the third year of a ten
year project under which PTT Thailand
aims to push the use of biodiesel from
algae as a viable alternative to the use of
normal diesel and palm oil.
Spectrum: THINK ALGAE is
co-organizing the forthcoming
2 nd Asia-Oceania Algae
Innovation Summit (AOAIS
2012). Can you tell our readers
more about this event?
Assoc. Prof. Pokethitiyook: The 2 nd Asia
Oceania Algae Innovation Summit will
be held from 3 rd – 5 th September, 2012.
Topics will include algae biology and
physiology, cultivation, harvesting and
extraction.
You can learn more about AOAIS 2012,
by visiting the summit’s website at
Deadline for the submission of abstracts
is the 31 st of May 2012
Assoc. Prof. Pokethitiyook: One kilogram
of green algae (dry weight) produces
around 250-350 grams of oil; this is
similar to the amounts seen in palm oil
production. The advantage over palm oil
is that algae can double its size in less
than 24 hours, while palm oil takes 3-5
years of growth before oil production can
take place. The biggest problem we
currently face is the cost of production,
as this is around US$ 180 per barrel.
This compares with a price of around
US$ 130 per barrel for crude oil. If we
Dr. Pailin Chuchottaworn, CEO of PTT (center) and Assoc. Prof. Prayad Pokethitiyook is
pictured 2 rd from right at the THINK ALGAE signing ceremony. The event was attended by
Prof. Skorn Mongkolsuk, Dean, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University (4 th from left) and
representatives from Chulalongkorn University, King Mongkut University of Technology
Thonburi, Biotec and TISTR.

Conferences « 9
H
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
(pictured center) presided over the opening
ceremony of Mahidol International
Conference on Infections and Cancers
2012 at the Landmark Hotel, Bangkok.
Prof. Rajata Rajatanavin, President,
Mahidol University; Prof. Dr. Skorn
Mongkolsuk, Dean, Faculty of Science;
Prof. Emer. Dr. Pornchai Matangkasombat,
Former President; Prof. Prasit
Palittapongarnpim, Vice President for
Research; and other university
administrators were also in attendance.
The conference, which ran
from the 6 th – 8 th February 2012, aimed to
provide a platform for leading scientists
and experts from within Thailand and
across the globe to exchange knowledge
and scientific advancements on methods
for the prevention of infections and
treatments for patients with chronic
infections and infection-associated
cancers.
The meeting featured an array of
presentations by world-renowned
scientists on recent advances in research
and new technologies such as genome
sequencing and proteomics, which
could pave the way for the detection of
Mahidol International
Conference on Infections
and Cancers 2012
microbes that may cause cancers,
plus the better diagnosis and prevention
of diseases.
Keynote speakers included Prof. Harald
Zur Hausen, 2008 Nobel and 2005
Prince Mahidol Award Laureate, who
gave a presentation on various cancers
caused by virus infections. Also attending
was Prof. Barry J. Marshall, 2005 Nobel
and 2001 Prince Mahidol Award Laureate,
who discussed the significance and
advances in research on Helicobacter
pylori, the bacterium linked to the
development of stomach cancer.
The 3 rd Annual
International Conference
for English Language Teaching in Asia
As the creation of the ASEAN
Community draws near, a core group
of Asian Universities is collaborating in
the teaching of the English language.
From the 16 th - 17 th January 2012, this
relationship was on full display at the
3 rd Annual International Conference for
English Language Teaching in Asia.
Hosted by the Faculty of Liberal
Arts, Mahidol University, and held at the
Salaya Pavilion Hotel, Mahidol University
International College (MUIC), the event
brought together speakers from 11
different countries in order to present
their research findings on teaching
English in Asia. Guest speakers were
joined by keynote addresses from
Dr. Mats Oscarson, from the University
of Gothenburg and Damon Anderson,
Regional Director of English Learning for
the US Embassy in Southeast Asia.
The event was attended by students
from both the Faculty of Liberal Arts and
MUIC, and all presentations will be
published in a new international journal
established for the occasion, entitled
“Voices in Asia”. It is hoped that future
collaboration will continue in a variety of
ways including : the exchange of faculty,
academic research projects and the
building of relations between participating
Universities. It has yet to be determined
where the 4 th International Conference
for English Language Teaching in Asia
will be held, but one thing is for certain;
Mahidol University will play a major role
in this effort.

10 » Conferences continued
Faculty of Public Health hosts
APACPH International Accreditation
Conference and Executive Board Meeting
F
From the 29 th to the 30 th March 2012,
the Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol
University, hosted an International
Accreditation Conference on behalf of
the Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for
Public Health (APACPH). Organized by
the Faculty’s International & Public
Relations Unit, the conference aimed to
explore ways to standardize Public
Health Education in the Asia Pacific
Region through providing common
competencies and an Accreditation body
to facilitate the process. APACPH
President-elect Dean Phitaya
Charupoonphol presided over the
New Agreements
two-day conference which saw
attendance from numerous influential
Public Health experts from eight
countries, including Japan, USA, South
Korea, China, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
The following day, the Faculty of Public
Health also hosted the annual APACPH
Management Board Meeting with
APACPH President Mohd Amin Jalaludin
(front row, centre) and President-elect
Dean Phitaya Charupoonphol (front row,
right) chairing the meeting. The Board
meeting allowed APACPH members to
voice their opinions and concerns with
MoU Signing with Research Center
for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Japan
regards to the key outcomes of the
Accreditation Conference, future projects
and fundraising opportunities.
“We truly appreciate the hospitality and
excellence of the meeting and future
plans for the accreditation. I really
enjoyed the days with APACPH
colleagues in Bangkok” -Tomiko
Hokama: Former APACPH President.
D
Diseases of animals that can be
transmitted to people, also known as
zoonosis, are one of the most serious
issues currently facing the global health
community. Unfortunately, the control of
these diseases does not conveniently
conform to one particular academic
category. Meanwhile, their impacts
continue to cross national and regional
borders. Therefore, a multidisciplinary
and international approach to zoonosis
control is required. Recognizing this,
on the 22 nd February 2012, at the Office
of the President, Salaya Campus, Prof.
Rajata Rajatanavin, President, Mahidol
University welcomed Prof. Hiroshi Kida,
Director of Hokkaido University Research
Center for Zoonosis Control on the
AIHD Signs MoU on Psychological
Development in Thailand
occasion of the signing and extension of
the MoUs between the Research Center
for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University,
Japan and Mahidol University’s Faculty
of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine
Siriraj Hospital and Faculty of Veterinary
Science. In his congratulatory address,
President Rajatanavin applauded the
partner institutions on their foresight
in dealing with this serious issue and
urged them to take full advantage of their
partnership.
O
On the 27 th March 2012, the ASEAN
Institute for Health Development (AIHD),
Mahidol University, headed by Dr. Supattra
Srivanichakorn, Director, signed a MoU
in the Boonsiri Room with two well-known
American institutes of psychology - the
Institute for International Connection (IIC)
and the Virginia Satir Global Network.
The institutions were represented by
Dr. Laura Sue Dodson, President of IIC
and Ms. Sharon Loeschen, President of
Virginia Satir Global Network respectively.
The agreement is designed to facilitate
psychological training with a view to
developing psychological practices in
Thailand over a period of two years.
During the signing ceremony
Dr. Srivanichakorn stated that “The AIHD
is not only an institution which networks
with other institutions; it also consists of
groups of people who come to study from
a wide variety of fields—doctors, nurses,
teachers, psychologists, social workers,
health workers, development specialists,
etc.—to gain a deeper knowledge of
psychology in order to work well and
to have the opportunity to consult and
network with each other”. Prof.
Maureen A. Graves, former President of
the Virginia Satir Global Network, added
“Uniting training with consultation is
an important step in helping produce the
experience of the inner-self. Having
self-insight is a good foundation that
will allow people to help others and will
also provide the opportunity to share
experiences as they discover their own
potential”.

Research « 11
Outstanding Research into the Causes and
Treatment of Neurodegeneration
Among the winners of the recent National Research Council of Thailand awards was
Prof. Piyarat Govitrapong, from the Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University
who received the Outstanding Research Award 2011 in the field of neuroscience for her
research into “Mechanism of Amphetamine-induced Neuronal Death and Neurodegeneration”
Spectrum met with Prof. Govitrapong to learn more about her research and to congratulate
her on her award.
The Research Center
for Neuroscience,
Mahidol University
Prof. Govitrapong is head of the
Research Center for Neuroscience
based at Mahidol University’s Institute
of Molecular Biosciences, and has been
with the institute for over 25 years.
Neuroscience is a relatively new area of
research for Thailand. However, following
two awards and funding from the
Thailand Research Fund,
Prof. Govitrapong’s work is helping the
country establish itself in this important
area.
The dangers of amphetamine abuse
Prof. Govitrapong’s award winning
research has revealed that the use of
amphetamine drugs has serious
implications for people in later life. The
use of amphetamines and amphetamine
derivatives has become an international
public health problem, with an estimated
15-16 million users worldwide.
Prof. Govitrapong’s research has found
that chronic or intermittent amphetamine
abuse may create temporary or
permanent disturbances in the brain’s
dopamine producing pathways. The
neurotransmitter dopamine has an
important role in many brain functions
including behavior and cognition and
voluntary movement. Therefore,
disruptions to this pathway may
predispose amphetamine users to
Parkinson’s disease in later life (a brain
disorder caused by the death of
dopamine-generating cells and which
causes sufferers to have difficulty with
walking, movement, and coordination).
The results remind us all of the dangers
of drug abuse.
Treatment with Melatonin
One of Prof. Govitrapong’s main
research interests is melatonin, the
hormone produced by the pineal gland
during sleep, and which regulates the
24-hour rhythm of some the body’s
biological processes (circadian rhythm).
Melatonin is well known for the
protective effects attributed to its
free-radical scavenging and antioxidant
properties. Fortunately,
Prof. Govitrapong’s research has also
revealed that melatonin pretreatment can
help prevent the loss of dopamine
producing cells due to amphetamine
abuse; therefore, offering the hope of a
treatment.
Further research
Prof. Govitrapong’s research continues,
and she is examining the use of
melatonin in the treatment of Parkinson’s
and Alzheimer’s diseases. In addition,
following trials with hippocampus stem
cells from rats and mice, Prof.
Govitrapong is studying the use of
melatonin in therapies for those who
have suffered damage to the
hippocampus region of the brain; one of
the first parts of the brain to suffer
damage in those suffering from
Alzheimer’s disease.
The National Research Council of
Thailand Awards
Several other Mahidol University faculty
members and researchers from various
fields were also among the recipients
of the National Research Council of
Thailand Awards across all four
categories (national outstanding
researchers, research, thesis and
invention). Deputy Prime Minister
General, Yuthasak Sasiprapa presided
over the award-presentation ceremony,
held as part of the celebrations to mark
Inventors’ Day on the 2 nd February, 2012
at Impact Arena, Muang Thongthani,
Thailand.
Damage caused to the Dopamine producing
pathway caused by amphetamine (AMPH) use
To find out more about Prof. Govitrapong
and research at the Institute of Molecular
Biosciences, please visit http://www.
mb.mahidol.ac.th/index.php

12 » Contacts
Distinguished Visitors to Mahidol University
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15.03.12 Asst. Prof. Anadi Nitithamyong, Deputy Dean for Student Services and International Relations,
Faculty of Graduate Studies welcomed Prof. Richard Watkins, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Planning,
International Relations & Teaching and Ms. Adeline Yong, Manager Strategic Development, Taylor’s University,
Malaysia. The meeting, which took place at the Office of the President, Salaya campus discussed academic
collaboration between Mahidol University and Taylor’s University in the fields of Medicine, Pharmacy, Public
Health and Science. (Picture 1)
24.02.12 A group of journalists from leading European scientific publications paid a visit to Mahidol
University as part of their tour of ASEAN member countries organized by SEA-EU-NET, a bi-regional project
aiming to expand science and technology cooperation between Southeast Asia and Europe. The group,
consisting of journalists from Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, UK, Poland and Turkey,
was welcomed by Asst. Prof. Surakit Nathisuwan, Vice President for International Relations, and was given
the opportunity to meet with members of the Mahidol University’s research community at the Biochemistry
Department Meeting Room, Faculty of Science, Phayathai. Presenting their outstanding and award winning
research were Prof. Timothy William Flegel, Faculty of Science, on the application of biotechnology in the
production of premium shrimp; Prof. Nick White, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, on malaria and the prevention
of antimalarial drug resistance; Prof. Pilai Poonswad, on the conservation of hornbills; and Prof. Prasert
Auewarakul, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, on influenza and bird flu. (Picture 2)
07.02.12 Dr. Puwat Charukamnoetkanok, Assistant to the President for International Relations and a
delegation from Mahidol University International College, the College of Sports Science and Technology and
the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology met with Dr. Simon Dowell, International Affairs
Manager, Faculty of Science and Mr. Jeffery Soong, Regional Director (South East Asia) Liverpool John
Moores University, UK at the Office of the President. Discussions focused on greater collaboration between
the two universities. (Picture 3)
23.01.12 Dr. Kevin Robertson, Associate Dean, Learning & Teaching, School of Life Sciences and
Ms. Ruth Crabtree, Director of International Development, School of Life Sciences, Northumbria University,
Newcastle, UK, visited the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and met with representatives led by
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wariya Chinwanno, Dean of the Faculty. During a meeting held in the Faculty’s Kanpai
Mahidol Conference Room, potential opportunities for collaboration between the two institutions were
discussed (Picture 4). Later, on 27.01.12, Faculty members met with Dr. Erkan Kirbiyik from the Foreign
Relations Department, Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey, and Mr. Zeki Parliti, Cultural Affairs Director,
Thai Turkish Business Association, Thailand in order to discuss future areas of cooperation.
23.01.12 A delegation from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President’s Travelling Fellowship for
Football Medicine visited the College of Sports Science and Technology, where they were met by a delegation
led by Prof. Arth Nana, Dean of the College. The AFC group consisted of three doctors from Malaysia, Oman
and Iran. They were joined by a physiotherapist from Thailand. The Travelling Fellowship program is an
initiative of the AFC and aims to support the provision of high-level healthcare services to football players in
Asia. (Picture 5)
05.01.12 Prof. Peter Van der Veer, Director of the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and
Ethnic Diversity at Göttingen, visited the Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia (RILCA). Prof.
Van der Veer is conducting a comparative study of urban aspirations in Asian mega-cities, including Mumbai,
Singapore, Shanghai and Seoul and will join RILCA as a visiting professor. It is planned that Prof. Van de Veer
will help develop the curriculum and offer lectures to students of the International PhD Program in Multicultural
Studies due to be introduced in 2012. (Picture 6)
Spectrum
Published by International Relations Division, Office of the President, Mahidol University
999 Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya,
Phuttamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Tel. : +66 (0) 2849 6230 (Director), +66 (0) 2849 6231 - 3, 2849 6235 - 6
Fax. : +66 (0) 2849 6237 E-mail : opinter@mahidol.ac.th
MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY
Wisdom of the Land
272 Rama VI Rd., Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand (Bangkok Office)
Website : www.mahidol.ac.th
Advisors : Asst. Prof. Surakit Nathisuwan, Dr. Puwat Charukamnoetkanok
Chief Editor : Ms. Boonyarat Suwanchinda
Editorial Staff : Mr. Paul Bulcock, Ms. Suchada Phruthonkul, Ms. Peungjai Tinsulanonda