Between 29 and 31 October 2025, lecturers and postgraduate students from the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences (AMS), Khon Kaen University (KKU), participated in the Laboratory Medicine Congress & Exhibition (LMCE 2025) & The 66th KSLM Annual Meeting. The event, held at the Inspire Convention Centre in Incheon, South Korea, gathered researchers and experts in laboratory medicine from around the world.

The LMCE 2025 & The 66th KSLM Annual Meeting was organised as an international platform for exchanging knowledge and innovations in laboratory medicine, showcasing high-quality research and strengthening global academic collaboration. Representatives from AMS brought honour to Thailand by securing four Global Investigator Awards, recognising their outstanding research excellence.

         

Mr. Phatsak Thaweesap, a Master’s degree student in Biomedical Sciences at the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, KKU, and one of the award recipients, stated: “I feel profoundly honoured and proud to receive the Global Investigator Award for my research entitled, ‘Development of Multiplex Recombinase Polymerase Amplification for Rapid Detection of Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, and Vancomycin Resistance Genes.’ Presenting my work on an international stage and receiving guidance from experts from various countries has been an invaluable experience for my personal and future research development. I would like to thank Assistant Professor Apasiri Srisrattakarn, Ph.D., my advisor, and everyone who provided support and counsel throughout the research process. This award inspires me to continue advancing knowledge and technology that can be used for rapid and accurate diagnosis and control of drug-resistant pathogens.”

The Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, secured a total of four Global Investigator Awards:

The First Prize was awarded to Ohnmar Zaw, a Doctoral student in Biomedical Sciences, for the research titled “Optimization of DNA Aptamer-Conjugated Polydopamine Nanoparticle Biosensor for Point-of-Care Glycated Albumin Detection.” Ohnmar Zaw’s advisory was Assistant Professor Pornsuda Maraming, Ph.D.

The Second Prize was conferred upon Mr. Volapheth Kanyasone, a Master’s student in Medical Science, for the research “Molecular characterizations of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies among thalassemic patients at Lao Friends Hospital for Children, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR.” Mr. Kanyasone was advised by Associate Professor Supawadee Yamsri, Ph.D.

The Third Prize was secured by Mr. Phatsak Thaweesap, a Master’s student in Biomedical Sciences, for his work on “Development of Multiplex Recombinase Polymerase Amplification for Rapid Detection of Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, and Vancomycin Resistance Genes,” under the supervision of Assistant Professor Apasiri Srisrattakarn, Ph.D.

Finally, the Fourth Prize recognised the research conducted by Associate Professor Wanicha Tepakhan, Ph.D., a Lecturer in the Department of Medical Technology, for her study: “Genetic Diversity of Non-deletional Hemoglobin H and Hemoglobin H-like Disease in Southern Thai Population: An Updated Spectrum of Mutations and Allele Frequency of α-Thalassemia.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. In addition, five instructors and students participated in the poster presentation sessions. The topics of their research reflect the research potential and creativity of Thai youths, who are ready to step forward and develop sustainable healthcare innovations for the future:

   1. Title: Comparative Antifungal Susceptibility and Morphological Responses of Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Candida parapsilosis to Fluconazole
      • Presenter: Ms. Sureesa Alee (Doctoral student in Medical Technology)
      • Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Ratree Tavichakorntrakool, Ph.D.
   2. Title: Machine learning-assisted embryo selection: non-invasive embryo ploidy prediction
      • Presenter: Ms. Phatwarin Panyakaew (Master’s student in Medical Technology)
      • Advisor: Asst. Prof. Pornsuda Maraming, Ph.D.
   3. Title: Genotyping Analysis of Glycophorin GYP(B-A-B) Hybrids among Northeastern Thai Blood Donors Using High-Resolution Melting Analysis.
      • Presenter: Ms. Pornsawan Sri-chanchod (Master’s student in Biomedical Sciences)
      • Advisor: Asst. Prof. Piyapong Simtong, Ph.D.
   4. Title: Lateral flow-based assay for simple and rapid visual detection of Asian-type DEL.
      • Presenter: Mr. Yotsawat Boonpum (Master’s student in Biomedical Sciences)
      • Advisor: Asst. Prof. Piyapong Simtong, Ph.D.
   5. Title: Development of gold nanoparticle-based lateral flow strips for NGAL protein detection in urine samples.
      • Presenter: Dr. Paweena TUNAKHUN, Lecturer, Department of Medical Technology

   

Mr. Volapheth Kanyasone remarked that he was very excited, adding: “This award attests to the significance of our research on thalassemia and hemoglobin disorders in the context of Laos and this region. Most importantly, the research holds vital importance for patient care at the Lao Friends Hospital for Children. We discovered the molecular characteristics of thalassemia genes that are prevalent among paediatric patients. This information is crucial for accurate diagnosis and genetic counselling, allowing doctors to plan appropriate treatment and blood transfusions. The data on gene prevalence and type that we found will form a fundamental database for the Ministry of Public Health in planning more effective national thalassemia prevention and control strategies.”

“My sincere thanks go to Associate Professor Supawadee Yamsri, Ph.D., my advisor, for her counsel and for driving the research to completion. I thank the team at Lao Friends Hospital for Children for their collaboration, the Thalassaemia Centre (TC), the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, and Khon Kaen University for providing resource support. This success would not have occurred without the support of everyone involved.”

Assistant Professor Wanicha Tepakhan, Ph.D., stated that Haemoglobin H (Hb H) disease is frequently found in the Thai population. “This research studied the genetic diversity of non-deletional Hb H and Hb H-like diseases in Southern Thailand, revealing that most patients suffer from Hb H-Constant Spring (CS). Furthermore, we discovered a patient with both Hb CS and Hb Adana for the first time in the Thai population. We also identified other non-deletional alpha-thalassemia mutations, including a patient with Homozygous Hb Chumphae who presented with mild symptoms. Data from the study also indicates that the –SEA deletion is common in the North, while the -α3.7 deletion is more prevalent in the Central/Eastern and Southern regions. Significantly, Hb Adana was highly detected in the South. Therefore, our team developed a multiplex allele-specific PCR technique for co-diagnosing Hb CS, Hb Pakse, and Hb Adana in a single test. We propose adding Hb Adana screening to routine thalassemia diagnostic panels, particularly for the Southern population, to aid in faster and more accurate disease diagnosis.”

The Laboratory Medicine Congress & Exhibition (LMCE 2025) & The 66th KSLM Annual Meeting, held from 29–31 October 2025 at the Inspire Convention Centre in Incheon, South Korea, is recognised as one of Asia’s most important international academic conferences for laboratory medicine. It featured extensive participation from researchers, medical scientists, and experts worldwide, hosting both oral and poster presentations, special lectures by global experts, exhibitions of laboratory technology and innovation, and academic networking activities. These efforts are aimed at fostering the development of knowledge and standards in laboratory medicine, which will lead to improvements in the quality of global public healthcare.