Mr. Athikhun Suwannakhan was a 1st Class Honors Biological Science alumnus from the Class of 2016. He is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Anatomy at the Faculty of Science of Mahidol University. He was granted a “Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Scholarship” which offers a five-year scholarship with a one-year study abroad component from Thailand’s Research Fund. Also, he received the “Prof. Sud Saengwichian Award,” an annual award given to the best oral presentation in gross anatomy and histology from the Anatomy Association of Thailand (AAT) in the same year.

As he is very keen on biomedical science research, he is a strong advocate of Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization, which supports the creation and distribution of license-free educational content. Its well-known project is Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, the entries of which are created, edited, and verified by volunteers around the world, as well as many other vital community projects. He has been sponsored to join Wikimania, the annual conference celebrating all the free knowledge projects hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation in different countries since 2018. He is also a founding member of Wikimedia Thailand. He has been selected as a lead organizer and a chairperson of Wikimania 2020, the largest Wikimedia gathering in the world, which will take place in Bangkok in August 2020.

Asst. Prof. Phuvadol Thanakiatkrai graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science degree with 1st Class Honors. He obtained his Doctorate Degree in Forensic Science Program at the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry of the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom. He currently works at the Forensic Science Program, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University. He has authored and co-authored over 30 international peer-reviewed research articles (see attached CV), of which the majority are indexed in Web of Science. He has also applied for four patents/petty patents and managed over 10 million THB in research grant. He was awarded the 2019 Young Scientist Award by the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of H.M. the King, which is one of the most prestigious national awards for a scientist under 35 years old with excellent research record. His invention – PSU-VisDNA Kit – was also recognized by the National Research Council of Thailand as the 2019 Silver-Level Invention. It has the potential to revolutionize the way forensic DNA analysts collect “touch DNA” samples from evidence with possible savings of up to millions of Thai Baht annually. As one of the leading forensic DNA researchers in Thailand, he has been invited to train both Thai and international forensic scientists.

Ms. Alissara “Belle” Kulchaipanich graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree major in Marketing from MUIC in 2012. After graduating, she joined the Management Trainee Program at L’Oreal Co. in Thailand for one year and was promoted as an Assistant Product Manager. She then went to New York University (NYU) where she graduated with a Master of Science Degree major in Integrated Marketing (Analytics Concentration). During her second year at NYU, she worked as an intern in multiple companies in New York City to learn more about the working culture in the US and hone her skill sets. After finishing her Master’s degree, she received a job offer from the New York Times, the world’s largest publishing company, in its New York headquarters as the manager for its marketing and campaign operations. Later, she won the Company Publisher’s Award in 2018 for introducing a complex pricing strategy of home delivery subscriptions. She currently works at Estee Lauder Co.’s headquarters as a Senior Manager, North America E-Commerce, M•A•C Cosmetics, leading its direct marketing channels strategy for e-commerce business in the American and Canadian markets. Her recent professional achievement was the successful launching and delivery with her team of give-back marketing campaigns to drive COVID-19 relief efforts. The campaign was able to donate 100% of sales of the company’s Glam lipsticks to local communities which have been affected by Covid-19. She led the communication strategy through direct marketing channels in the North American market to create awareness, drive purchases, and more importantly, encourage donations.

Ms. Aniqa Islam Marshall graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree major in Biological Sciences with First Class Honors in 2016. After graduating from MUIC, she worked in the public health sector. In 2017, she was awarded the Program in Applied Vaccine Experiences Scholarship, having been chosen by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and selected to be placed at UNICEF to participate in the development of its action plan for immunization programs and conduct policy research on vaccines. She was later offered a masters tuition scholarship at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg, School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland. After she returned to Thailand, she worked at the National Vaccine Institute as a public health diplomat to push Thailand’s issues in the global arena and make the country the focal point for the ASEAN Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance Initiative leading to the endorsement of the ASEAN Leaders Declaration on Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance at the 35th ASEAN Summit. Currently, she is working at the Ministry of Public Health Thailand as a researcher conducting health policy and systems research to address priority health problems and inform policy decisions. She has had quite a number of international and domestic publications on public health issues in Thailand, including in the World Health Organization Bulletin and most recently on COVID-19 response (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6575-731X). Aniqa recently received a grant worth £147,166 under the Doctoral Studentship in Social Science & Bioethics from the Wellcome Trust to conduct research on health policy in Asia as a Ph.D. student at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Ms. Samornpun “Tarn” Somnam obtained a bachelor’s degree major in Travel Industry Management in 2010. She then pursued a Master’s degree in Marketing at Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, Switzerland. She is part of her family’s business, serving as Executive Director of Keemala, a luxury five-star hotel located in Phuket. Under her management, Keemala was recognized globally for being a small but luxurious romantic hotel with distinctive designs “inspired by four ancient lifestyles.” Keemala received several World Luxury Hotel Awards. This award, whose recipients are voted by over 300,000 international travelers, guests, and industry players alike each year, is considered as the pinnacle of achievement in the luxury hotel industry. In 2017, Keemala won both the Luxury Romantic Villa Global Award and Luxury Design Hotel Region Award at the 11th Annual World Luxury Hotel Awards held in Switzerland. Two years later, Keemala was selected as the Regional Winner for Luxury Eco Resort by the same award-giving body. In 2020, the hotel was the Global Winner for Luxury Eco Resort in the World Luxury Hotel Awards. She is also Executive Director of The KEE Resort & Spa, one of Patong’s most popular and unique accommodations, which is also part of her family business.

Ms. Nuttha “Nat” Janesiripanich is a Food Science and Technology alumna. Graduating with First Class Honors, she is one of the three founders of a renowned and trusted science communication channel on Facebook named “Witsanook” (วิทย์สนุก). Since its establishment in 2014, Witsanook has published more than 300 science-based infographics, with over 300,000 followers and over 36 million viewers reached per year. Because Witsanook’s contents are very easy to understand, aided by graphics explaining the scientific basis of everyday phenomena, it became a recipient of the Thailand Best Blog Awards in 2017 and Thailand Digital Media Innovation Awards (Honourable Mention) by the National Innovation Agency (NIA) in 2018. The best part is that despite Witsanook being a volunteer project, the founders have inspired a wave of science awareness among Thais through social media that could translate into effective citizen action. In 2018, the founders delivered scientific posters containing Witsanook infographics to over 500 schools and teachers across Thailand with the support of IPST and Mahidol University. Nuttha is currently working as a Quality Compliance and HACCP Manager at Danone Specialized Nutrition (Thailand).

Mr. Watanakul Mungkalarungsi graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology degree. He started working for his family’s business, Thai Better Foods Co., Ltd. when he was still a 2nd year student at MUIC. He helped expand his family business, helping it earn up to a billion Thai Baht in annual sales. The strategy was to launch new value-added products that meet the customers’ needs to increase the volume of sales. In 2014, he received the “Smart SME Award” from Smart SME Channel under the Processed Food Business Management category. He was invited as a guest speaker and a special lecturer by many organizations such as the Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Commerce to share his experience and knowledge in the food industry. In 2018, Mr. Watanakul retired from his family’s business and started his own company called Food Inno Start Up Co., Ltd. This company aims to be a research and production center to help SMEs to process and develop their products and be able to develop their exporting capabilities. He also created ‘Essence of Fish with Cordyceps – Zean Brand,’ a first in Thailand. In that year, he became a member of the Space Science Research Experiment and Exploration Team. He has worked with Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization), GISTDA for “Thai Food to Space” project since then.

Ms. Pongpisuth Jongudomsuk (MUIC Class of 2017)

Ms. Pongpisuth “Kana” Jongudomsuk graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree major in Social Science with First Class Honors in 2017. As an MUIC student, she received the MU Ambassador Scholarship grant which enabled her to go on an exchange program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison where she enrolled in Educational Psychology and other courses, igniting her passion for education and which marked the beginning of her career path. She is now working as an online educator helping millions of people in Thailand and abroad to learn more efficiently by applying what she has learned from her Educational Psychology studies. She started her own social media platform on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Tiktok under the name “Farang Angmor” (ฝรั่งอั่งม้อ), reaching millions of people around the world through her engaging content and collaboration with several social influencers in Thailand and abroad. As of today, she has over 400,000 followers across platforms. Apart from that, she also has been invited to teach part-time in various educational institutions and well-known organizations including Mahidol University, Kasetsart University, Bangkok University, Burapha University, Ministry of Public Health, Kasikorn Bank, and others.

MUIC Outstanding Alumni Awardees 2019

MUIC would like to congratulate Asst. Prof. Phuvadol Thanakiatkrai, Outstanding Academic Alumni Awardee 2019; Mr. Natthapatr Sibunruang, Outstanding Management Alumni Awardee 2019; Mr. Watanakul Mungkalarungsi, Outstanding Professional Alumni Awardee 2019; Mr. Athikhun Suwannakhan, Outstanding Community Services Alumni Awardee 2019; and Ms. Rungravee kattamarasre, MUIC Rising Star Alumni Awardee 2019.

Ms. Rungravee Kattamarasre finished her Bachelor in Tourism and Hospitality Management degree as a member of the Class of 2016. She is the founder and creative director of a Thai cloth brand, Miss Modern Boutique. Ms. Rungravee started Miss Modern Boutique as a hobby in her final year in college – focusing on mid- to high-end ready-to-wear garments for women. She soon realized that she had a passion for the fashion industry. Focusing on one goal at a time, she was eventually invited to showcase her collection in three fashion shows within the space of two years. In 2018, it was one of seven Thai brands which was invited to the BOAO Fashion Show in Hainan, China. The show was aired on 50+ channels across China. In the same year, Miss Modern Boutique was featured in The Face Thailand. In 2019, she presented her collection in the Lazada Women’s Festival at EmQuartier, Bangkok. She also had an opportunity to collaborate with global make-up brand L’Oreal Paris later that year. Miss Modern Boutique has been endorsed by more than 100 influencers and celebrities on magazines, TV shows and social media.

MUIC Outstanding Alumni Awardees 2018

MUIC would like to congratulate Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanin Nantasenamat, Outstanding Academic Alumni Awardee 2018; Ms. Pattamon Mekavarakul, Outstanding Management Alumni Awardee 2018; Ms. Monica Singh, Outstanding Professional Alumni Awardee 2018; Mr. Natdanai Aleenajitpong, Outstanding Community Services Alumni Awardee 2018; and Mr. Poj Pitakjamnong, MUIC Rising Star Alumni Awardee 2018.

Mr. Natthapatr Sibunruang finished his Master’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management at MUIC. He specializes in overall management, commercial, operation, marketing, e-commerce, business analysis and brand management with over 10 years of experience in airline and hotel management. Recently, he was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Mjets Ltd., which operates Thailand’s first and only private jet terminal and fixed-base operator (FBO) facility at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport with both IS-BAO and IS-BAH accreditations. “As the new CEO, he will be reforming the company development processes, providing new impetus to MJets’ products innovation and services development, in the world market, as well as consolidating the domestic achievements as the only FBO service in Thailand,” according to a statement by Mjets Ltd.