Much is still unknown about the water quality and how using canal water might affect people’s health in Bangkok. Factors like weather, pollution from farms or industry, direction of water flow and how close the canal is to the Gulf of Thailand can all cause water quality to change over time and location. In this project, you will work to design and build a low-cost water sampler that continuously tracks temperature, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and flow direction. The device will send data remotely so you can download it for analysis. After building the samplers, you’ll help deploy them at a fixed sites along the canal and learn how to interpret the data and present your data to community members. 

The main indicators of water quality include physical (pH, nutrient levels, salinity, etc.) and biological (bacterial and algal) indicators. You will work with graduate student researchers to create and test inexpensive paper-based sensors for detecting key nutrients (ammonium, nitrate/nitrite, phosphate) and bacteria (Vibrio sp., enteric bacteria, etc) in Bangkok canal water. After validating the sensors and comparing results with established methods, you will collect field data and train local citizen scientists to continue monitoring year-round. You will present your findings to canal-area community members.

Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem stability, human well-being, and the natural services that sustain life. In this project, you will study both the microbial and ecological diversity of Bangkok’s Bang Mod canal area. Working with advisors at KMUTT and local farm staff, you will collect water samples, extract DNA, and use high throughput sequencing  and metagenomics to identify microbial community composition. You will also survey plants, animals, and insects at four sampling sites to assess species abundance, diversity, and the effects of human disturbance. Research mentors will guide you in identifying native and non-native species, linking biodiversity to ecosystem services, and understanding how the canal landscape supports the surrounding community. You will analyze their data and share their findings with local residents.

Empathetic and ethical community outreach builds trust, respects local knowledge and culture, and ensures that scientific work benefits both the community and the environment. You will work with community members on community-based outreach projects, to develop a hands-on workshop for school-age children and talk with government officials, farmers, and residents along the Bang Mod canal about your results.