On 6 March 2026, in recognition of International Women’s Day, the Bangkok Post announced the recipients of the “Women of the Year 2026” awards, celebrating women who exemplify leadership, innovation, and social impact.
Among this year’s honorees is Dr. Challika Kaewborisuth, DVM, a researcher from the Virology and Vaccine Technology Research Team at BIOTEC, NSTDA, who was recognized in the category “Architects of New Power.” This distinction highlights her contributions as a new-generation Thai scientist leveraging research and innovation to address inequality and strengthen the grassroots economy.
Dr. Challika has emerged as a key scientific influencer through her leadership in developing a prototype vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF) derived from a Thai strain. ASF has caused severe outbreaks and economic losses exceeding 150 billion Baht in Thailand’s swine industry. Under her leadership, the BIOTEC research team has not only generated critical scientific knowledge but has also established a fundamental platform for animal vaccine development. This platform represents a major step forward in enhancing national self-reliance, reducing dependence on foreign technologies, and restoring hope to small-scale farmers who have suffered significant losses from the ASF epidemic.
“Conducting research on ASF poses substantial challenges due to uncertainties and initial limitations,” Dr. Challika noted. “However, we remain committed to advancing this vaccine as a biological safeguard to support the revival of livestock farming and help reduce inequality within the sector.”
Her recognition underscores the essential role of women in science and aligns with the spirit of International Women’s Day, which emphasizes equality and celebrates women’s achievements. Dr. Challika stands as a role model for female scientists, demonstrating that gender is no barrier to addressing complex national challenges. Her research extends beyond laboratory work; it serves as an important foundation for strengthening Thailand’s preparedness against future biological threats affecting both humans and animals.
The ASF prototype vaccine developed by her team is a live-attenuated vaccine demonstrating efficacy rates of 70 to 100 percent at the laboratory scale. It is currently undergoing field trials in collaboration with the Department of Livestock Development. This collaborative effort represents a pivotal step in ensuring that innovations created by Thai researchers become lasting scientific assets for future generations.