Bangkok, Thailand – March 1, 2024 – The Department of Plant Science at Mahidol University’s Faculty of Science and the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) co-hosted a mini-symposium on “Conservation Research on Tropical Flora” on 1 March 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
The symposium brought together researchers from both institutions to share their expertise and ongoing research on various aspects of tropical plant conservation. The event provided a platform for knowledge exchange and discussion on critical issues facing the preservation and sustainable utilization of tropical flora.
Poster by Asst. Prof. Dr. Wisuwat Songnuan
Presentations covered a wide range of topics, including:
- Looking for a way for the conservation and utilization of orchid resources (Prof. Luo Yan)
- Wild Banana Bonanza: Diverse Genetic Resource.of Musaceae in Thailand (Asst. Prof. Sasivimon Swangpol)
- Resource and conservation of Zingiberaceae species in Xishuangbanna, China (Dr. Lu Jianmei)
- What will happen when orchid arrive in XTBG (Tang Lu)
- Pollinator conservation in agricultural and urban environments (Assoc. Prof. Alyssa Stewart)
- Systematics and Evolotion of some flowering plants (Asst. Prof. Saroj Ruchisansakul)
The presentations were recorded and are available for viewing in the links below. This mini-symposium is a significant step towards fostering collaboration between researchers in Thailand and China on the crucial issue of tropical plant conservation. By sharing knowledge and expertise, scientists can develop effective strategies to ensure the protection and sustainable use of these vital resources for future generations.
Looking for a way for the conservation and utilization of orchid resources
Prof. Luo Yan, Xishungbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, China
Professor Dr. Luo Yan received her Ph.D. in Botany from the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her research interests are on orchid taxonomy, diversity and conservation.
Wild Banana Bonanza: Diverse Genetic Resource.of Musaceae in Thailand
Asst. Prof. Sasivimon Swangpol, Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Thailand
Assistant Professor Dr. Sasivimon Swangpol got her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Her interests are in plant taxonomy and systematics, especially of the wild bananas. Recently, she has established close international collaborations on archaeobotany and ethnobotany with the Penn Museum, USA.
Resource and conservation of Zingiberaceae species in Xishuangbanna, China
Dr. Lu Jianmei, Xishungbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, China
Dr. Lu Jianmei received her Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Chinese Academy of Science in Beijing. Her interests are the ploidy research and conservation of the Zingiberaceae.
What will happen when orchid arrive in XTBG
Tang Lu, Xishungbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, China
Ms. Tang Lu is a Master student at the Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Province in China. Her interests are on orchid conservation, pollen storage and phylogeny of the orchid genus, Phaius.
Pollinator conservation in agricultural and urban environments
Assoc. Prof. Alyssa Stewart, Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Thailand
Associate Professor Dr. Alyssa Stewart got her PH.D. in Biological Science from the University of Maryland, USA. She is currently doing research on ecology, specifically plant-pollinator interactions.
Systematics and Evolotion of some flowering plants
Asst. Prof. Saroj Ruchisansakul, Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Thailand
Assistant Professor Dr. Saroj Ruchisansakul got his Ph.D. on “Understanding Evolution” from the Leiden University. He is currently doing research on taxonomy, evolution and pollination biology.
Professor Dr. Kanchit Thammasiri, Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Thailand
Professor Dr. Kanchit Thammasiri is the retired professor of the Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University. He is a Horticulture graduated and got his Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii, USA. He is renowned for his extensive works on orchid tissue culture, breeding and conservation. He is now a visiting professor at the Department of Gardening and Horticulture, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, China. He helps bridging the collaboration between Mahidol University and the XTBG.
Ms. Napasorn Chuaychoowong, Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Thailand
Ms. Napasorn Chuaychoowong, our MC, is the senior Bachelor of Science student at the Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University. She is now doing research on evolution in floral morphology of the Zingiberaceae.