Former BIOTEC Executive Director awarded the ASEAN Science and Technology Meritorious Service

Prof. Dr. Morakot Tanticharoen, Assistant President of NSTDA and Former Executive Director of BIOTEC was named the recipient to the 2008 ASEAN Science and Technology Meritorious Service Award. The Award was presented on 7 July 2008 as part of the 8th ASEAN Science and Technology Week held in Manila, the Philippines on 1-11 July 2008.

The prestigious award is given in recognition to her efforts and significant contributions towards the promotion and development of regional cooperation in the scientific and technological fields, and the upgrading of the regional, scientific and technological capabilities in Thailand.

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Prof. Dr. Morakot started her teaching career at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Thonburi (presently King Mongkut’s University of Thonburi – KMUTT). She became the main driving force for teaching and research in the field of energy generated from biomass, biomass production, energy balance of biomass production, bioproductivity and bioleaching. She was instrumental in founding the School of Energy and Materials and the Division of Biotechnology within the School of Energy and Materials at KMUTT. Biotechnology Division was later transformed into the School of Bioresources and Technology, which included the Division of Biotechnology, Natural Resources Management, Postharvest Technology and Biochemical Technology. From over two decades of contributing to KMUTT, Prof. Dr. Morakot has served as Dean of the School of Bioresources and Technology, as well as the School of Energy and Materials, and in so doing has provided guidance as advisor or co-advisor to over one hundred post-graduate theses and dissertations.

Prof. Dr. Morakot herself is a leading researcher in Thailand in the field of microbiology and biotechnology. Her specialty includes research and development of an anaerobic wastewater treatment for biogas production and algae technology research, and she is also a pioneer in biosensor research in Thailand. She is also well recognized for her involvement at the regional and international level, being an active member and working on the executive of several societies and organizations, as well as serving on the editorial board of a number of noted international journals. Under her directorship, BIOTEC has been appointed as the Executive Secretary of the UNESCO Regional Network for Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology in Southeast Asia since 2002. She served as a Chairperson of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Biotechnology (SCB) during June 2005- June 2008.

Prof. Dr. Morakot served as Deputy Director of the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) during 1994-2000. She was elected the President of Thailand Society of Biotechnology and served from 1999-2003. She was Executive Director of BIOTEC for two terms from 2000 to 2008 and currently serves as an Assistant President of NSTDA and Senior Advisor to BIOTEC.