In my role as a lab co-leader for the iGEM 2024 project, I worked alongside Win to guide our team in developing a sustainable method to produce neuroprotective compounds from Nicotiana benthamiana. Our goal was to find an alternative to Pueraria mirifica, a plant whose cultivation harms the environment.

Before beginning the project, I hoped to gain a deeper understanding of synthetic biology, contribute to a meaningful solution for environmental sustainability, and ultimately help our team win a gold medal at the iGEM competition. I am proud to say that we were successful in achieving our goals—we not only won the gold medal but also received the Inclusivity Award for making synthetic biology more accessible to diverse communities.

Along the way, we faced challenges, such as optimizing the genetic engineering process to increase puerarin production. The pathways involved were complex, and we had to troubleshoot many issues. With the support of our mentors from Chulalongkorn University, we tackled these challenges through collaboration and persistence. Another difficulty was balancing the demanding project work with our academic and personal responsibilities, but our passion for the project and our teamwork kept us motivated and staying on track.

Through this experience, I learned a lot about perseverance and the importance of teamwork. It also taught me how to manage my time more effectively and work under pressure. Additionally, I gained new technical skills in synthetic biology, genetic engineering, and lab management.

This experience also changed my perspective on innovation—it’s not just about having a great idea, but also being adaptable and working together with others to overcome challenges and obstacles. Our project benefited others by contributing to more sustainable practices in the production of plant-based compounds, reducing the need for harmful environmental practices.

Our mentors at Chulalongkorn University played a crucial role in shaping my learning. They provided invaluable guidance and helped me think critically about our experiments. This mentorship encouraged me to stay focused and push through the challenges we faced.