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Professor
Dr. Pramuan Tangboriboonrat was
born on December 27, 1962 in Prachinburi
province. She finished
primary and secondary education in
her hometown and the high school
study from Wattana Wittaya Academy
in Bangkok. Professor Pramuan received
her B.Sc. (first class honours) in
Chemistry from Khon Kaen University
in 1983 and M.Sc. in Physical Chemistry
from Mahidol University in 1986 (receiving
Awards from the Professor Dr. Tab
Nilanidhi Foundation at the B.Sc.
and M.Sc. levels). She obtained a
scholarship from the French Government
to pursue her Ph.D. at Université de
Haute Alsace, Ecole Nationale Supérieure
de Chimie de Mulhouse, France. Professor
Pramuan received
the DiplÔme Elémentaire
de la Langue Française (DELF)
from CAVILAM,
Vichy
in 1987, DiplÔme D’Etude Applofondie
(DEA in Chimie Physique) in 1988
and Docteur (Chimie Macromoléculaire)
in 1991. After graduation, Professor
Pramuan joined the Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science,
Mahidol University where she was
promoted
to Assistant Professor, Associate
Professor and Professor in 1994,
1997 and 2004 respectively.
 Professor Pramuan won the Outstanding
Young Scientist Award from the Foundation
for the Promotion of Science and Technology
under the Patronage of H.M. the King
in 1996 and the L’OREAL-UNESCO Fellowship
for Women in Science in 2007. She received
research grants from Mahidol University,
the National Metal and Materials Technology
Centre, the ENO Science Foundation
(Japan) and the Thailand Research fund
(TRF). In 2008, she received the TRF
Senior Research Scholar sponsored by
TRF and the Commission on Higher Education.
For her work experience, Professor
Pramuan served as Secretary of the
Thailand Academy of Science and Technology
(2003-2006), Assistant to the President
of the National Science and Technology
Development Agency (2006-2008), and
Secretary to the Minister of Science
and Technology (October 2006-January
2008). At present, she is a member
of the Academic Review Committees of
Sirindhorn International Institute
of Technology, Thammasat University;
Rajamangala University of Technology
Phra Nakhon and North Bangkok College.
 Professor
Tangboriboonrat’s research work involves
the study of the structure
and composition of natural rubber (NR)
latex particle surfaces to lead to
novel utilization of the latex and,
hence, to innovative, value-added rubber
products. Her simple and straight-forward
process, i.e., the phase transfer/bulk
or suspension polymerization/ TEM technique,
is applied to reveal the cross-linking
in each prevulcanized NR particle.
Not only does the method provide direct
evidence of the particle morphology,
but it can also be used for the preparation
of high impact polystyrene. Moreover,
the heterocoagulation of NR particles
with polychloroprene of skim NR particles
is efficiently adapted for the preparation
of composite particles with a core-shell
structure. Capsules of urea/NR or skim
latex and beads of carbon black/NR
latex masterbatch have been also prepared.
Recently, with the aim of reducing
the surface friction or tack of NR
sheets, an increase in surface roughness
and hardness of the dried rubber product
has been achieved by depositing poly(methyl
methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles
or by polymerization of PMMA on the
rubber substrate. The process of replacement
of PMMA particles with antiseptic nanocapsules
is under investigation in order to
prepare NR latex medical gloves. In
addition, a well characterized polystyrene/acrylic
acid copolymer latex particle has been
used as a solid support for P.
falciparum malaria
protein antigens or antibodies to P.
falciparum malaria for the latex
agglutination test.
 Future research and development will
cover the above mentioned areas, but
to a greater depth and wider application,
especially in biomedical fields. These
are:
1. Preparation of soft poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) capsules containing antiseptic
agent. The aim is to fabricate three-layer medical gloves of prevulcanized NR/antiseptic
agent-PMA capsules/prevulcanized NR. The heterocoagulated particles composed
of skim NR latex particles surrounding antiseptic agent-PMA capsules will be
also prepared and then used for deposition onto a prevulcanized NR film as a
bilayer structure.
2. Study of rubber-based biomedical materials utilizing the attachment of
functionalized or bioactive polymers on the rubber surface. The functionalized
polymers are
also applied as interfacial materials for the inclusion of proteins or bio-molecules
on the surface of magnetic polymeric particles for use in protein separation
applications and/or protein-specific decease diagnostics. A highly sensitive
and selective polymeric probe that could be employed in a non-enzymatic bioassay
will developed.
3. Development of nanofibers from degradable polymers, e.g., polylactic acia
(PLA), poly(lactic acie-co-ethylene glycol) (PLA-co-PEG), and PLA/PEG blends
by using an electrospinning technique. The nanofibers will be used as drug controlled-release
materials. Feasibility of using the nanofibers in cell culture applications or
as scaffolds is assessed. In addition, the polymers are used to modify and enhance
rubber’s properties for potential medical applications as pressure-sensitive
patches.
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