Associate Professor
Head of Department of Tropical Medicine,
Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
Director, Tropical Medicine Graduate Program (International Program)
123 Moo 16 Mittraphap Rd., Nai-Muang, Muang District, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
Email: sutasu@kku.ac.th
Dr. Sutas Suttiprapa is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Department of Tropical Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. He earned his doctoral degree under the guidance of Professor Banchob Sripa, focusing on unraveling the complexities of host-parasite interaction in opisthorchiasis, a human liver fluke disease. Following the completion of his PhD, Dr. Suttiprapa transitioned to the research domain of Professor Paul Brindley (Co-Editor-in-Chief, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases) as a post-doc at George Washington University in the USA. There, he conducted extensive research on schistosome transgenesis and delved into vaccine development against schistosomiasis, under the mentorship of Professor Peter Hotez (Ex-Editor-in-Chief, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases), a globally renowned scientist in the fields of global health, vaccinology, and neglected tropical disease control. Upon returning to Thailand, Dr. Suttiprapa began working at Mahidol University in Bangkok, eventually being promoted to Assistant Professor before returning to Khon Kaen University. His significant contributions played a key role in establishing the Department of Tropical Medicine as the successor following Professor Sripa's retirement. Dr. Suttiprapa continues to uphold the Bench-to-Community Concept of the Tropical Disease Research Center (TDRC) and the LAWA model, aligning with Professor Sripa's guidance to dedicate the department to the control of tropical diseases across Thailand and the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries. In line with the imperative of advancing the liver fluke control program, Dr. Suttiprapa's current research encompasses several crucial dimensions, including diagnosis, treatment, vaccine development, and control of the human liver fluke and bile duct cancer, reflected in more than 60 peer-reviewed publications. Building on the proven success of the LAWA Model, his research endeavors not only enhance the liver fluke control program but also make substantive contributions to a holistic approach against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). His overarching career objective resonates with a steadfast commitment—to eradicate NTDs and contribute to alleviating afflictions associated with poverty.