Advancing Research Network Collaboration in Medical Technology and Health Innovation with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, USA

16 January 2026 at Columbia University, New York, USA

Led by Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), together with Ms. Saowanee Mungsujaritkarn (Deputy Executive Director, NRCT), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Peerasak Chaiprasart, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anak Khantachawana, the delegation met with executives and faculty members of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University to exchange knowledge in biomedical engineering, medical technology, and health innovation, and explore Thailand–U.S. research collaboration.

The Columbia Engineering hosts included Prof. Helen H. Lu (Senior Vice Dean, Columbia Engineering), Prof. Barclay Morrison (Senior Vice Dean), Prof. Clark Hung (Vice Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering), Prof. Andrew F. Laine, and Asst. Prof. Nuttida Rungratsameetaweemana.

Dr. Wiparat emphasized NRCT’s role as Thailand’s principal research funding agency in driving medical and health innovation—one of Thailand’s core strategic sectors—and developing next-generation talent from students to early-career researchers through international partnerships.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anak Khantachawana presented NRCT’s support for university and industry research, technology transfer, and the Hub of Talents in medical devices and health innovation, highlighting impactful projects such as AI-assisted bone density and osteoporosis screening devices, advanced biomaterials, clinical data pathways, and ASEAN regulatory standardization.

Prof. Helen H. Lu introduced Columbia Engineering’s mission of “Engineering for Humanity” and “Healthy Humanity,” alongside academic collaboration frameworks including 4+1 and 1+1 master’s programs and doctoral research pathways in medical imaging, neuroengineering, tissue engineering, computational neuroscience, medical AI, and clinical commercialization.

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