Young Asian Biotechnologist Prize 2018 – About the Winner
Verawat Champreda
Affiliation: National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand
Research title for the award: Exploration of lignocellulose degrading enzymes from hidden bioresource for biorefinery and green industries
Dr. Verawat Champreda finished his Ph.D. from Imperial College London, UK in 2003 in biocatalysis. He is now working as the Director of the Microbial and Biochemicals Research Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) and the lab head of the Enzyme Technology Laboratory and the BIOTEC-JGSEE Integrative Biorefinery Laboratory.
His research interests are focused on enzyme discovery using metagenomic technology, biomass conversion, and enzyme applications in biorefinery. His research also extends to integrative bio/catalytic approach for production of biofuels, commodity chemicals, and specialty bio-products. To date Dr. Verawat has 85 publications in international journals and 22 IPs with awards from local and international institutions, including the Young Scientist award 2010 from the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology, Thailand under the Patronage of His Majesty the King. Many of the works are focused on translational researches with closed collaboration with leading industries in the country.
[Message as a prize winner]
It is my great honour to be recognized by the Society of Biotechnology Japan for this prestigious award. I would like to give my sincere thanks to the nominator and all the committee members for giving me this opportunity. I also would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Lily Eurwilaichitr, my mentor for supporting me from the start of my research career and all the Japanese collaborators for closed collaboration and knowledge sharing, which are key drivers to my achievement. In addition, I would like to thank and share this success to all the members in the Enzyme Technology and Integrative Biorefinery Laboratories as well as all collaborators in BIOTEC. I strongly hope that we can develop our strength in enzyme and biorefinery research for the benefit of our country and for the advancement of frontier research in this field.
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