Laorsri Sanoamuang, PhD

Director, Applied Taxonomic Research Center (Atrc), Khon Kaen University

Industry : Science

Professor Laorsri is a renowned biologist in Thailand. After earning her first degrees in biology and marine science in Thailand, she gained a PhD in zoology from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, followed by a certificate course in freshwater zooplankton at the State University of Ghent, Belgium. During her career, she has contributed research aiding the understanding of the zooplankton freshwater diversity, discovering and naming more than 70 new species of freshwater zooplankton from Thailand and the lower Mekong River Basin. As the first to discover the secrets of fairy shrimp reproductive biology, Prof Laorsri is credited as the key figure in unlocking the success of Thailand’s aquaculture. In 2000, the professor underscored her success with the discovery of an entirely new species of rare fairy shrimp which was named Streptocephalus sirindhornae in honour of HRH Princess Sirindhorn. In 2001, she was named “Outstanding Female Executive for Dedicated Contributions in the Field of Freshwater Biology '''' by the American Biographical Institute. She has been awarded the best alumni awards from Khon Kaen and Chulalongkorn universities and the senior scientist award from the Science Society of Thailand in the Royal Patronage of the Year 2017.