Professor Yongyuth Yuthavong

Prof. Yongyuth Yuthavong is a researcher with interest in the broad issues of science and technology. He was awarded a Thai Government scholarship to study in the UK (1962), where he obtained a bachelor degree in chemistry with first class honours from University of London (1966), and a doctoral degree in organic chemistry from University of Oxford (1969). He spent a long research and teaching career at Mahidol University , where he was appointed Professor of Biochemistry (1983). He was actively engaged in the establishment, and became the first Director, of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) of Thailand (1992), where he served for two terms. In 1998 he returned to the research career at the NSTDA's National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), where he previously served as its Director. He is now heading the Protein-Ligand Engineering Laboratory in BIOTEC, working on development of new antimalarials with grants from the Medicines for Malaria Venture and the Wellcome Trust.

In 2004, he was awarded the Nikkei Asia Prize for Science, Technology and Innovation from the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Japan , for his work on antimalarial drug targets, and the “Person of the Year” Award from Thailand 's National Identity Board. Prior to that, h e received the “Outstanding Scientist of Thailand” Award from the Foundation for Promotion of Science and Technology (1984). He is Chairman of the Institute for Promotion of Science and Technology Teaching. He is also Chairman of the Foundation of Thai Academy of Science and Technology and the Foundation for Promotion of Talents in Science and Technology. He is a co-author of 109 research articles in international journals, and 16 book chapters and books on biomedical science, policy and general issues concerning science and technology.