Dr. Pakapreud Khumwan | Bioengineering | Best Researcher Award
Researcher and Team Leader at National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Thailand
Pakapreud Khumwan is a distinguished researcher and innovator in the field of bioengineering and biosensor technologies. Currently serving as the Research Team Leader at the Bioengineering and Sensing Technology Research Team (IBST) within the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), NSTDA, Thailand, Khumwan brings a unique blend of academic rigor, technological creativity, and leadership. His work focuses on the development of next-generation diagnostic platforms, microfluidic systems, and nucleic acid-based detection technologies. A visiting researcher at JOANNEUM RESEARCH Materials in Austria, he actively engages in international collaboration to advance sensing platforms and lab-on-a-chip diagnostics for global health and industrial applications.
Profile
Education
Khumwan earned his Ph.D. in Bioengineering with a specialization in Molecular and Cell Engineering from the University of Washington, Seattle, where he also completed the Molecular Medicine Certificate Program under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Daniel M. Ratner. His dissertation involved the integration of serologic and phenotypic blood analyses using silicon photonic sensors. Prior to that, he graduated with honors from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, focusing on nanoscale biological engineering. His educational foundation laid the groundwork for his pioneering efforts in microfluidics, biosensors, and diagnostic assay development.
Experience
Since 2018, Khumwan has led innovative research efforts at NSTDA, overseeing interdisciplinary projects that bridge sensor fabrication, microfluidic design, and diagnostic assay engineering. He spearheads grant-winning projects, such as NEXT-POTENT, aimed at elevating miniaturized potentiostat devices for multiplex disease detection. His prior international experience includes a visiting research position in Austria (2021–2024), where he contributed to the development of roll-to-roll fabricated microfluidic chips. His professional trajectory also includes hands-on industry exposure through the DAAD RISE internship in Germany, where he worked on quality control of hormone detection assays. Through his roles, he has demonstrated excellence in both technical execution and research management, bringing together scientists across disciplines and geographies.
Research Interest
Khumwan’s research is grounded in the development of smart diagnostic tools through surface biofunctionalization and miniaturization of assay systems. He is particularly passionate about high-throughput surface functionalization of sensor chips and its optimization for scalable production. His expertise extends to autonomous 2D microfluidics, utilizing techniques such as UV nanoimprint lithography and injection molding to fabricate devices that simplify complex biochemical workflows. A notable area of impact is his integration of nucleic acid amplification techniques into portable diagnostic systems, especially leveraging isothermal LAMP assays combined with machine learning for real-time result interpretation. His innovations have found application in detecting pathogens, drug-resistant tuberculosis, and viral infections such as COVID-19.
Award
Khumwan’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally. In 2020, he represented Thailand at the prestigious Global Young Scientists Summit in Singapore. He was runner-up in the Falling Walls Lab competition in 2019, showcasing his ability to communicate complex scientific concepts with clarity and impact. He also reached the finalist stage of the U.REKA Batch 2 Accelerator Program, demonstrating entrepreneurial insight in transitioning laboratory innovations into scalable technologies. Additionally, he is a recipient of the Royal Thai Government Scholarship, affirming his academic excellence and leadership potential.
Publication
Khumwan has authored and co-authored numerous high-impact scientific papers. Some of his notable publications include:
Translation of COVID-19 Serology Test on Foil-Based Lateral Flow Chips in Biosensors (2025), cited for its scalable diagnostic approach;
Colorimetric Triplex RT-LAMP for Shrimp Yellow Head Virus Detection in Aquaculture International (2025);
AI-Driven Colorimetric Detection for COVID-19 in Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease (2024);
AI-Assisted Isothermal RNA Detection Platform in Talanta (2022);
Rapid Diagnosis of Isoniazid-Resistant Tuberculosis in Microchemical Journal (2022);
Naked-Eye LAMP for Sugarcane White Leaf Phytoplasma in SSRN (2022);
Gold Nanoparticle-Assisted RT-LAMP for Tilapia Lake Virus Detection in Fish Diseases (2021, accepted).
Each publication reflects Khumwan’s interdisciplinary skillset, from biosensor design to field-ready diagnostic integration, and many are already cited in peer-reviewed work, underscoring his research influence.
Conclusion
Pakapreud Khumwan’s career represents a confluence of academic excellence, inventive problem-solving, and collaborative leadership. His ability to translate complex molecular detection systems into scalable, real-world applications positions him as a transformative figure in the global bioengineering community. With a strong portfolio of innovations, peer-reviewed publications, and international recognition, Khumwan stands out as a deserving candidate for the AI Data Scientist Awards under the ‘Excellence in Research Award’ category. His work continues to bridge the gap between advanced diagnostics and practical implementation, making impactful strides in public health, agriculture, and environmental safety.