Dr. Kajornsak Faungnawakij, Head of Nanomaterials for Energy and Catalysis Lab at NANOTEC is one of 4 researchers chosen by the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of His Majesty the King to receive the 2011 Young Scientist Award.
Dr. Kajornsak has been a researcher at NANOTEC since 2008. Prior to this he was with Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) in Kyoto, Japan. His research interest is in the area of inorganic chemistry, chemical engineering, especially Catalysis, nanotechnology, and biofuels. Dr. Kajornsak received his Ph.D in Chemical Engineering from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand in 2005.
Dr. Kajornsak has received numerous research grants and awards such as the CST Distinguish Young Chemist Award in Organic Chemistry from the Chemistry Society of Thailand under the patronage of Prof. Dr. HRH Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol in 2010.
“It is the Foundation hope that the award presented today will honor and support the extraordinary achievements of research professionals at the outset of their independent research careers in the fields of science and technology” said Dr. Kopr Kritayakirana, President of the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of His Majesty the King. “The awards will help increase awareness of careers in science and give recognition to the scientific missions of participating agencies, enhance connections between fundamental research and national goals, and highlight the importance of science and technology for national development”.
The scientists will receive their awards from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on August 9, 2011 at a Royal Presentation Ceremony.
Since its inception in 1982, the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of His Majesty the King annually presented Outstanding Scientist Award and Young Scientist Award to recognize Thai researchers with outstanding scientific achievements and to encourage active younger researchers to perform high quality research work of significant impact to society and economy. The selection for the awardees is based solely on nomination from respected scientists, science administrators in academia and research institutes, executives of private companies operating research and development departments, and previous awardees.
Recipients of the Outstanding Scientist Award will each receive a certificate of merit, an honor shield and a cash award of Baht 400,000 (USD 13,400). Recipient of the Young Scientist Award will each receive a cash award of Baht 100,000 (USD 3,300) and a certificate.
This is not the first time NANOTEC researchers have received this award. Dr. Uracha Ruktanonchai, Head of Nano Delivery System Lab at NANOTEC received the same award in 2010.
For 2011, the Foundation will present 1 Outstanding Scientist Award and 4 Young Scientist Award to the following individual:
2011 Outstanding Scientist Award
- Prof. Dr. Soottawat Benjakul, Dept. of Food Technology, Prince of Songkhla University
2011 Young Scientist Award
- Dr. Pithi Chanvorachote, Dept. of Pharmacology and Physiology, Chulalongkorn University
- Dr. Yongyuth Laosiritaworn, S&T Research Institute, Chiang Mai University
- Dr. Yuttanant Boonyongmaneerat, Metallurgy and Materials Science Research Institute. Chulalongkorn University
- Dr. Kajornsak Faungnawakij, Nanomaterials for Energy and Catalysis Lab, National Nanotechnology Center
