Yongyuth Yuthavong

Dr Yongyuth Yuthavong is a Senior Specialist at the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, NSTDA; Advisor to the President of Thailand National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and Chairman of the Council of King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi. He is Professor of Biochemistry, Mahidol University; first President of Thailand National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). Former Director of BIOTEC National Centre. Former Minister of Science and Technology and former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand

Dr Yuthavong obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from London University in 1966, and a doctoral degree in Organic Chemistry from Oxford University in 1969.

He received several awards include “Outstanding Scientist of Thailand” Award (1984), Outstanding Person of the Nation from National Identity Board (2004) and Nikkei Asia Award for Science, Technology and Innovation from Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Japan (2004).

Dr Yuthavong’s lead resulted in reform of the state of science in Thailand. Thanks to his efforts the Ministry of Science and Technology was established in 1979 and the National Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC) was founded, followed by establishment of the National Science and Technology Development Agency, of which he was the first President. Yuthavong spearheaded the development of P218, a breakthrough achievement in the path to elimination of malaria. He mentored scientific teams and under his leadership, a major component of TDR’s Global Report on Health Research for Infectious Diseases of Poverty, published in 2012, was formed. The Global Report represents a research-focused overview of priorities and needs concerning infectious diseases of poverty, and of the current landscape of funding and initiatives.