Khon Kaen University (KKU) proudly announced that 30 of its faculty members and researchers have been recognized as “World’s Top 2% Scientists” by Stanford University in the United States. This significant achievement spans 15 diverse academic fields, underscoring KKU’s commitment to international-standard research.

The prestigious ranking, compiled by Stanford University, is based on comprehensive citation impact data from the Scopus database. It utilizes various bibliometric indicators, including the h-index and total citations, to ensure accuracy and fairness. The scientists are categorized into two types: “Long Career” (reflecting lifetime citation impact) and “Single Year” (focusing on citation impact specifically for the year 2024).

The 30 Khon Kaen University researchers honored in this ranking are:

1. Building & Construction (2 Researchers):

• Prof. Prinya Chindaprasirt (Single Year & Long Career), Faculty of Engineering
• Prof. Vanchai Sata (Single Year), Faculty of Engineering

2. Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing (2 Researchers):

• Prof. Sujin Bureerat (Single Year & Long Career), Faculty of Engineering
• Assoc. Prof. Nanthiwat Pholdee (Single Year), Faculty of Engineering

3. General & Internal Medicine (8 Researchers):

• Prof. Pisake Lumbiganon (Single Year & Long Career), Faculty of Medicine
• Prof. Veerajit Chotmongkol (Long Career), Faculty of Medicine
• Prof. Kittisak Sawanyawisuth (Single Year & Long Career), Faculty of Medicine
• Assoc. Prof. Piroon Mootsikapun (Long Career), Faculty of Medicine
• Prof. Panita Limpawattana (Single Year), Faculty of Medicine
• Asst. Prof. Jarin Chindaprasirt (Single Year), Faculty of Medicine
• Prof. Malinee Laopaiboon (Single Year & Long Career), Faculty of Public Health
• Assoc. Prof. Bundit Sawunyavisuth (Single Year), Khon Kaen Business School

4. Mycology & Parasitology (2 Researchers):

• Prof. Banchob Sripa (Single Year & Long Career), Faculty of Medicine
• Prof. Yukifumi Nawa (Single Year & Long Career), Faculty of Medicine

5. Tropical Medicine (1 Researcher):

• Prof. Paiboon Sithithaworn (Single Year & Long Career), Faculty of Medicine

6. Neurology & Neurosurgery (1 Researcher):

• Prof. Hisatake Kondo (Long Career), Faculty of Medicine

7. Otorhinolaryngology (1 Researcher):

• Prof. Robert Peter Mills (Long Career), Faculty of Medicine

8. Dairy & Animal Science (2 Researchers):

• Prof. Metha Wanapat (Single Year & Long Career), Faculty of Agriculture
• Assoc. Prof. Anusorn Cherdthong (Single Year & Long Career), Faculty of Agriculture

9. Energy (1 Researcher):

• Prof. Alissara Reungsang (Single Year & Long Career), Faculty of Technology

10. Materials (1 Researcher):

• Prof. Prasit Thongbai (Single Year & Long Career), Faculty of Science

11. Applied Physics (2 Researchers):

• Prof. Ekabhan Swatsitang (Single Year), Faculty of Science
• Dr. Tammanoon Chankhanittha (Single Year), Faculty of Science

12. Medicinal & Biomolecular Chemistry (3 Researchers):

• Assoc. Prof. Wiyada Mongkolthanaruk (Single Year), Faculty of Science
• Assoc. Prof. Tripetch Kanchanapoom (Long Career), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Assoc. Prof. Natthida Weerapreeyakul (Single Year), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

13. Organic Chemistry (1 Researcher):

• Asst. Prof. Andrew John Hunt (Single Year), Faculty of Science

14. Pharmacology & Pharmacy (1 Researcher):

• Prof. Thaned Pongjanyakul (Single Year & Long Career), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

15. Networking & Telecommunications (2 Researchers):

• Prof. Chakchai So-In (Single Year), College of Computing
• Dr. Arfat Ahmad Khan (Single Year), College of Computing

This recognition by Stanford University affirms Khon Kaen University’s outstanding international research achievements. It is expected to enhance opportunities for research funding, foster international collaborations, and elevate the institution’s credibility within the global research community. Furthermore, it serves as a powerful incentive for researchers to pursue high-quality work with significant and sustainable societal impact.

The university notes that this ranking aligns with its 2026-2029 strategic plan for “Research Transformation,” which aims to cultivate a research ecosystem that supports excellence and promotes partnerships with both domestic and international collaborators.

Khon Kaen University extends its congratulations to all faculty members and researchers for their success and reaffirms its commitment to supporting the development of high-quality research that contributes meaningfully to society, communities, Thailand, and the global community.