On March 22nd, 2023, the Siriraj Center of Research Excellence Management Unit (SiCORE–M) led by Assoc. Prof. Oranee Sanmaneechai and Assist. Prof. Dr.Woraphat Ratta–apha, Deputy Manager, along with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pongsakorn Tantilipikorn, Prof. Emeritus Dr.Wanpen Chaicumpa, Assoc. Prof. Dr.Nitat Sookrung,Dr.Dichapong Kanjanawasee and Lecturer Dr.Nathachit Limjunyawong from the Center of Research Excellence in Allergy and Immunology (SiORE-Allergy) held the 4th teleconference with their Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) members, Prof.Rudolf Valenta from Medical University of Vienna, Prof.Giorgio Walter Canonica from Humanitas University and Prof.Stephen R. Durham from Imperial College London.
In the meeting, we discussed the research outputs from the projects under Research Excellence Development Program (RED) support and assessed the overall performance of SiCORE–Allergy. Simultaneously, during the consultation session with their SAB, the program shared new proposed projects before submitting for continuing RED support.
On this occasion, the SiCORE–M team and SiCORE–Allergy would like to express our sincere gratitude to SAB members for their valuable time and contributions. All insight and recommendations from the meeting will undoubtedly guide the research directions and scientific content to become internationally excellent. We look forward to welcoming the SAB members during the onsite visit in December 2023.
During March 18th–19th, 2023,Prof. Apichat Asavamongkolkul, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, presides over the annual Siriraj Center of Research Excellence (SiCOREs) seminar, including the researchers and coordinators from the research programs in Allergy and Immunology, Dengue and Emerging Pathogen, Precision Medicine and System pharmacology, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Obesity and Metabolomic and System Biology along with Siriraj Center of Research Excellence Management Unit (SiCORE-M).
This year, our SiCOREs and SiCORE-M Annual Meeting take place at Ozo North Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri. The program activities cover progress updates, new project presentations, accomplishments, and lessons learned from the research programs. In addition, the future strategic planning, operational structure, and relative supporting mechanisms for SiCOREs have been discussed.
On January 10th, 2023, Siriraj Center of Research Excellence Management Unit (SiCORE–M) Assoc. Prof. Oranee Sanmaneechai and Assist. Prof. Dr.Woraphat Ratta–apha, Deputy Manager, along with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pongsakorn Tantilipikorn, Assoc. Prof. Dr.Nitat Sookrung,Dr.Dichapong Kanjanawasee and Lecturer Dr.Nathachit Limjunyawong from SiCORE- Allergy and Immunology (SiORE-Allergy) participated in the 1st teleconference with Prof.Ruby Pawankar, President of Asia Pacific Association of Allergy Asthma and Clinical Immunology (APAAACI) and Professor of Department of Pediatrics, Nippon Medical School Tokyo, Japan that recently accept our invitation and become one of Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) members. In the meeting, the program briefly introduced both ongoing and proposed research projects. They also enthusiastically discussed future collaboration opportunities with international academic institutes and regional private partners.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to Prof. Pawankar for her valuable insights and discussions. We are very much looking forward to the SAB onsite in December 2023.
The 4th Teleconference Research and Innovation Advisory Committee (RIAC) Meeting in 2022 is virtually held as a two-day meeting for different time zones, including December 6, 2022, for the committee members from Europe and Bangkok and December 9, 2022, for the committee members from the U.S. and Australia.
On this occasion, Prof. Apichat Asavamongkolkul, Dean of Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, along with executive members and Siriraj Center of Research Excellence Management (SiCORE-M), welcomed the committee members. Assoc. Prof. Sith Sathornsumetee, Deputy Dean for Research and Innovation and manager of SiCORE-M, provide the participants with brief updates on an overview of research progress and management during the past year.
During the meeting, the board actively discussed research progression and provided recommendations on the strategic research management and supporting mechanisms for each preexisting SiCOREs, namely Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Allergy and Immunology (SiCORE-Allergy), Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Dengue and Emerging Pathogens (SiCORE-Dengue), Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Precision Medicine and Systems Pharmacology (SiCORE-PM&SP) and Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Cardiovascular Disease (SiCORE-Cardiovascular Disease).
This year’s meeting will be another crucial step in developing our research programs. It will benefit us in leveraging the quality of their research outputs and broader research impact. After the discussion with committee members, 2 of the following 7 Research Programs will join the Research Excellence Development Program in 2023. Name list of the seven new potential research groups as follows;
Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Diabetes and Obesity (SiCORE-DO)
Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Microparticle and Exosome in Diseases (SiCORE-MED)
Siriraj Center for Regenerative Medicine (SiCRM)
Siriraj Integrated Perioperative Geriatric Excellent Research Center (SiPG)
Metabolomics and Systems Biology (SiCORE-MSB)
Research Network NANOTEC-Mahidol University on Theranostic Nanomedicine (SiCORE-RNN)
Neurocognitive disorders and Behavioral & Neuropsychiatric Problems Research Center (SiCORE-NCBP)
Name list of the Research and Innovation Advisory Committee members (RIAC) that attend this meeting:
Prof. George Baillie from University of Glasgow
Prof. Ralf F. W. Bartenschlager from University of Heidelberg
Prof. Nicholas J. White from Mahidol-Oxford Research Unit (MORU)
Prof. David Jacoby from Oregon Health & Science University
Prof. Alfred Yung from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Professor Joshua Burns from the University of Sydney
Prof. Thira Sirisanthana from Chiang Mai University
Prof. Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong from Prince of Songkla University
Under Research Excellence Development Program (RED), one of the essential annual activities of SiCOREs is the interaction with Scientific Advisory Board members (SAB) to assess the progress of the research program against their project milestones, along with a discussion with SAB on ideas for improvement. This year, the meeting schedules are as follows;
On 8 July 2022, SiCORE-Dengue – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Panisadee Avirutnan (Director), researchers, and SiCORE-M participated in the Teleconference with the Scientific Advisory Board members (SAB), namely Prof. Sir Andrew J. McMichael from the University of Oxford and Prof. Xiao-Ning Xu from Imperial College London for the 3rd year Research Program Evaluation for the Center of Research Excellence in Dengue and Emerging Pathogens.
On 18 July 2022, SiCORE-Allergy – Assoc. Prof. Pongsakorn Tantilipikorn (Director), Assoc. Prof. Nitat Sookrung, researchers, and SiCORE-M teams had the Hybrid meeting with Scientific Advisory Board members (SAB), namely Prof. Rudolf Valenta from the Medical University of Vienna and Prof. Stephen R. Durham from Imperial College London participated via a virtual platform. In addition, on this particular occasion, Prof. Giorgio Walter Canonica from Humanitas University joined an in-person meeting during his visit Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital on the same day. There was a discussion on the 3rd year Research Program Evaluation for the Center of Research Excellence in Allergy and Immunology.
The World Allergy Organization (WAO), an international umbrella organization whose members consist of 103 regional and national allergology and clinical immunology societies, endorsed SiCORE Allergy & Immunology as a Center of Excellence (COE) for the term 2022-2024. To become the first COE in ASEAN and the 4th in Asia (after China, Japan, and South Korea), we can collaborate with other COE to provide scientific support and educational resources on a global scale. Furthermore, we could form international partnerships for research and education activities.
On 18 July 2022, SiCORE-CVD – Prof. Rungroj Krittayaphong, Director of SiCORE-Cardiovascular disease and Assoc. Prof. Sith Sathornsumetee, Manager of Siriraj Center of Research Excellence Management Unit (SiCORE-M), along with his team, joined the meeting with the Scientific Advisory Board members (SAB), namely Prof. Gregory Lip from the University of Liverpool, Prof. Gemma Figtree from University of Sydney and Assoc Prof. Jin Joo Park from Seoul National University for the 2nd year Research Program Evaluation for the Center of Research Excellence in Cardiovascular Disease.
On 4 August 2022, SiCORE-PM&SP – Assist. Prof. Dr. Somponnat Sampattavanich (Director), researchers, and SiCORE-M participated in the meeting with Scientific Advisory Board members (SAB), namely Prof. Andrew Futreal from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Prof. Christopher L. Corless from Oregon Health and Science University for the 3rd year Research Program Evaluation for the Center of Research Excellence in Cancer Precision Medicine and Systems Pharmacology.
This year’s the Siriraj Center of Research Excellence Management Unit (SiCORE-M) Annual Meeting in 2022 takes place at the Krungsri River Hotel, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, on January 14th-15th,2022. The participants include Prof. Dr. Prasit Watanapa, M.D., Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, who presides over this annual seminar, along with Prof. Dr. Prasert Auewarakul, M.D., Ph.D., Deputy Dean for research, Prof. Dr. Vicharn Panich, M.D., Somsak Chunharas, M.D., Advisors of SiCORE-M and SiCORE-M Team.
The seminar discusses the operational structure and strategic plan for research management and mechanisms to support SiCOREs. Also, the particular agenda include team-building activities to improve the functional skills of the research management team.
On September 2nd, 2022, Prof. Dr. Prasit Watanapa, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, along with Prof. Apichat Asavamongkolkul, Chairman of Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; Assoc. Prof. Prapat Wanitpongpan, Deputy Dean for International Relations; Prof. Kulkanya Chokephaibulkit, Director of Siriraj Institute of Clinical Research (SICRES); and Assoc. Prof. Sith Sathornsumetee, the Manager of Siriraj Center of Research Excellence Management Unit (SiCORE-M); visited the National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM) to discuss with Prof. Dr. Norihiro Kokudo, President of the NCGM, and his administrative members, on the future clinical research between Siriraj and NCGM including the “ARISE Network (ARO Alliance for ASEAN & East Asia)” which has been established to promote the Multi-Regional Clinical Trial (MRCT) in the Asian region.
The 3rd Teleconference Research and Innovation Advisory Committee in 2021, is virtually held as two-day meeting for different time zones includes November 12, 2021 for the committee members from the US, Australia and South Korea and November 19,2021 for the members in Europe, Israel and Bangkok. On this occasion, Prof. Dr. Banchong Mahaisavariya M.D., President of Mahidol University and Prof. Dr. Prasit Watanapa, Dean of Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, along with executive members and Siriraj Center of Research Excellence Management (SiCORE-M) welcomed the distinguished Research and Innovation Advisory Committee members.
On November 19, 2021, the advisory board received the brief updates from Deputy Dean for Research, SiCORE-M and the representatives of each SiCOREs. During the meeting, the board discussed and provided recommendations on the strategic research management and supporting mechanisms at Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. In the interactive session, there was discussion about the research progress from Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Allergy and Immunology (SiCORE-Allergy), Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Dengue and Emerging Pathogens (SiCORE-Dengue), Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Precision Medicine and Systems Pharmacology (SiCORE-PM&SP) and Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Cardiovascular Disease (SiCORE-Cardiovascular Disease).
This two-day meeting provided us with an invaluable opportunity that all those that participated in this meeting found it extremely beneficial and greatly welcomed the opportunity to exchange perspectives and from the experience of advisory committee members. Without doubt, the insightful comments and recommendations that we received from this meeting will be of great benefit in research transformation to our Faculty and eventually magnify a broader outcome in aspects of Thailand healthcare system in the future.
Name list of the Research and Innovation Advisory Committee members (RIAC) that attend this meeting:
Prof. Aaron Ciechanover from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
Prof. Gavin Screaton from University of Oxford
Prof. George Baillie from University of Glasgow
Prof. Ralf F. W. Bartenschlager from University of Heidelberg
Prof. Nicholas J. White from Mahidol-Oxford Research Unit (MORU)
Prof. Vicharn Panich, M.D. from Prince Mahidol Award Foundation, Thailand
Somsak Chunharas, M.D. from National Health Foundation, Thailand
Prof. Jumras Limtrakul, M.D. from Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology, Thailand
Prof. Rutjawate Taharnklaew, from Betagro company, Thailand
Dr. Somkiat Tangkitvanich, from Thailand Development Research Institute, Thailand
Chalermpon Punnotok, from CEO CT Asia Robotics company, Thailand
On November 12, 2021, Prof. Dr. Banchong Mahaisavariya M.D., President of Mahidol University and Prof. Dr. Prasit Watanapa, Dean of Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, along with executive members welcomed the distinguish Research and Innovation Advisory Committee members to the 3rd Siriraj Research and Innovation Advisory Committee Meeting in 2021, organized by Siriraj Center of Research Excellence Management (SiCORE-M). This year, the meeting will be virtually held on November 12, 2021 and November 19, 2021
During the meeting, the advisory board received a brief update on the research progress and the strategic research and innovation management at Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University since the last meeting in 2019. There was then further discussion about the current limitation in research ecosystem and funding management. In addition, the board provided advices on potential supporting mechanisms and opportunities with industrial partners. As always, this was our great honor and pleasure to learn from the advisory committee members. We have certainly gained numerous insights and new ideas that will assist us immensely in research transformation at our Faculty, which eventually may lead to significant impact at the national level.
Name list of the Research and Innovation Advisory Committee members (RIAC) that attend this meeting:
Chan Soo Shin, M.D., Ph.D, from Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Republic of Korea
Sharon Anderson, M.D. from Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine, USA
Joshua Burns, Ph.D. from the University of Sydney, Australia
W. K. Alfred Yung, M.D. from MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA
Prof. Vicharn Panich, M.D. from Prince Mahidol Award Foundation, Thailand
Somsak Chunharas, M.D. from National Health Foundation, Thailand
Prof. Jumras Limtrakul, M.D. from Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology, Thailand
Prof. Rutjawate Taharnklaew, from Betagro company, Thailand
Dr. Somkiat Tangkitvanich, from Thailand Development Research Institute, Thailand
Chalermpon Punnotok, from CEO CT Asia Robotics company, Thailand
On January 4th, 2021, Assoc. Prof. Oranee Sanmaneechai, Deputy Manager of Siriraj Center of Research Excellence Management Unit (SiCORE-M), and SiCORE-M team along with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pongsakorn Tantilipikorn, Director of SiCORE Allergy enthusiastically provide the scientific progress of SiCORE-Allergy through the 4th teleconference to SAB members, Prof. Rudolf Valenta from Medical University of Vienna, Prof. Giorgio Walter Canonica from Humanitas University and Prof. Stephen R. Durham from Imperial College London.
In this regard, the valuable recommendations from SAB is undoubtedly prove highly beneficial to our SiCORE-Allergy. With the given guidance, the research team will adjust the proposal and shall work on the provocation test accordingly. Simultaneously, they propose to submit the Provocation test proposal to Siriraj Institutional Review Board (SiRB) within the mid of January. At last, SiCORE–M would like to extend our sincere gratitude to SAB members for their continued support.
We are very much looking forward to the next meeting in February. Let’s maintain the momentum!
