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Faculty of Science, Mahidol University's Awards

      

 
Professor Dr. Prasert Sobhon
TRF Senior Research Scholar (Anatomy) Year 2001

 

Biography and Research Summary

 

Professor Dr. Prasert Sobhon was born on December 8, 1943 in Sakolnakorn Province, Thailand . Following primary and secondary edication in Thailand, he went to study abroad and received a B.Sc. in Human Biology from the University of Western Australia under the Colombo Plan Scholarship, and a Ph.D. in Cell Biology and Anatomy from the University of Wisconsin, U.S.A. under a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship. He did his postdoctoral study at the University of California at Los Angeles, and later became a WHO visiting research scientist at the National Institute of Medical Research Mill Hill, London. He has been an academic staff member of the Faculty of Science. Mahidol University since 1970, and was appointed Professor of Cell Biology and Anatomy in 1991. In addition to academic work, during his career he has held many important administrative positions, including Chairman of the Anatomy Department. Associate Dean for Acadamic Affairs, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, and most recently President of the Mahidol University Academic Senate. From his research contributions he was conferred the Mahidol University Award for Outstanding Research (1982), Outstanding Scientist Award (1995) from Thailand's Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, and Senior Research Scholar Fellowship from the Thailand Research Fund (1997).

 

His research work and interests are in three areas of biomedical and bioagricultural disciplines. First are the characterizations of antigens and encoding genes of human blood flukes (S. japonicum, S. mekongi) and human and animal liver flukes (Opisthorchis viverrini and Fasciola gigantica), their syntheses and expressions at the cellular level, and their immunodiagnostic and vaccine potentials. Second are the studies on spermatogenic processes, basic nuclear proteins and chromatin organization in male germ cells of vertebrates, including mammals and amphibians, and invertebrates especially molluscs (snails and abalone). Third are the studies on the neurobiology and reproductive biology of economic molluscs (land snails and abalone). particularly with respect to the identification of neurosecretory cells that are involved in the production of growth and gonadotrophic factors that can stimulate the growth and gametogenic processes in these animals. His research work has been supported continuously by national funding agencies, including the National Research Council of Thailand, National Science and Technology Development Agency, and Thailand Research Fund, and international organizations including the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, USAID, and UNDP/ World Bank/ WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases.