Our Team

Meet Our Team

Staff

Kanokwan (Pook) Suwannarong, Ph.D.

ดร. กนกวรรณ สุวรรณรงค์

Director

Dr. Kanokwan Suwannarong is the Director and multidisciplinary research leader of SUPA71, providing strategic and technical leadership for the organization’s research, evaluation, intervention development, innovation, and technical assistance portfolio in Thailand and across Southeast Asia. She leads multidisciplinary and multi-country initiatives covering public health and epidemiology; social and behavioral research, including Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) and Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE); health, digital, and innovation literacy; intervention and implementation research; One Health and zoonotic diseases; environmental and climate-related health; migration, human trafficking, and vulnerable populations; and healthy ageing.

Dr. Suwannarong has extensive experience in epidemiology and public health research, monitoring, evaluation and learning, social and behavioral research, implementation research, and mixed-methods research. She has led research, evaluations, intervention development, and technical assistance using quantitative, qualitative, and participatory approaches to understand health risks and behaviors, community needs, service access, vulnerabilities, implementation processes, and intervention outcomes. Her work emphasizes translating evidence into practical interventions, program improvements, policy recommendations, and scalable solutions.

Her expertise includes formative and knowledge-attitude-practice research, SBCC and RCCE, community engagement, health and digital literacy, inclusive innovation, participatory co-creation, and intervention design and evaluation. She has worked extensively with older adults and caregivers, migrants and mobile populations, vulnerable communities, frontline health workers, village and migrant health volunteers, animal health workers, and other community-based systems. Her work on migration and human trafficking addresses health and protection risks, access to services, communication barriers, social vulnerability, gender and inclusion, particularly in border and cross-border settings.

Her One Health and infectious disease portfolio includes infectious disease surveillance and prevention, zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, outbreak preparedness and response, and human-animal-environment interfaces. Her work also addresses environmental and climate-related health risks, healthy ageing, mental health and well-being, community resilience, and accessible digital and non-digital innovations to strengthen health information, services, and community-based interventions.

Dr. Suwannarong has led and contributed to research and technical assignments in Thailand, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Viet Nam, Malaysia, and the wider Mekong Sub-region, collaborating with government agencies, universities, international organizations, development partners, civil society organizations, and communities.

She holds a Ph.D. in Public Health from Chulalongkorn University, a Ph.D. in Tropical Medicine from Mahidol University, and a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the University of the Philippines Manila. She was previously a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center of Excellence for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in Animals (CUEIDAs), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, where her work further strengthened her interdisciplinary expertise in One Health and Zoonotic diseases.

Glid Udomsappong

กฤตย์ อุดมทรัพย์พงศ์

Manager

Mr. Glid Udomsappong is the Manager of SUPA71, with primary responsibility for the company’s operations and financial management. He oversees financial administration, budgeting, procurement, logistics, resource management, and day-to-day operational functions, working closely with the Director and project teams to support the effective implementation of SUPA71’s research and technical activities.

Mr. Udomsappong brings more than three decades of professional experience in the pharmaceutical and supply chain sectors in Thailand, with extensive experience in operations, supply chain management, logistics, procurement, and organizational coordination. His experience supports SUPA71 in managing the financial, administrative, and operational requirements of national and international projects, including multi-site field activities and collaboration with institutional partners.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and a Master’s degree from Swinburne University in Australia. His background in engineering, information technology, supply chain management, finance, and operations contributes to SUPA71’s institutional and project management capacity.

Thanomsin (Toh) Ponlap

ถนอมสิน พลลาภ

Social Science, Community & CSO Stakeholder Engagement Expert

Mr. Thanomsin Ponlap is SUPA71’s Social Science, Community and Civil Society Organization (CSO)/Stakeholder Engagement Expert, contributing to multidisciplinary research, evaluation, and development projects with particular expertise in social research, community engagement, stakeholder consultation, and coordination with civil society organizations.

He has extensive experience in qualitative and participatory research, including stakeholder mapping and analysis, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, community consultations, participatory assessments, field observation, qualitative data analysis, and documentation of community and stakeholder perspectives. His work supports a deeper understanding of social contexts, community priorities, vulnerabilities, institutional relationships, and factors influencing participation and access to programs and services.

Mr. Ponlap has particular strengths in community mobilization, civil society engagement, and multi-stakeholder coordination, working with community-based organizations, civil society organizations, local authorities, government agencies, community leaders, vulnerable populations, and other stakeholders. He supports the development of inclusive engagement processes that enable community and stakeholder perspectives to inform research, intervention design, implementation, evaluation, and recommendations.

His combination of social science research and practical community and stakeholder engagement experience strengthens SUPA71’s capacity to conduct participatory and context-sensitive multidisciplinary work and to build effective relationships among communities, civil society, institutions, and project partners.

Kannika (Aun) Thammasutti

กรรณิการ์ ธรรมสุทธิ์

Research Manager

Ms. Kannika Thammasutti is the Research Manager at SUPA71, supporting the planning, coordination, implementation, and management of multidisciplinary research and evaluation projects in Thailand and across the region. She works closely with the Director, technical experts, institutional partners, and field teams to ensure that research activities are implemented effectively in accordance with study protocols, timelines, ethical requirements, and quality standards.

She has experience in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research, including research instrument development, fieldwork preparation, participant recruitment, field-team training, data collection supervision, data quality assurance, data management, and the coordination of key informant interviews and focus group discussions. She also supports project monitoring, documentation and reporting, stakeholder engagement, and coordination with government agencies, academic institutions, local authorities, community organizations, and research participants.

With an academic background in social sciences and political economy, Ms. Thammasutti brings a strong social research perspective to multidisciplinary projects. She has contributed to research involving ethnic and vulnerable communities, community health, One Health, infectious and zoonotic diseases, wildlife interactions, rabies, avian influenza, healthy ageing, health and digital literacy, migration, and environmental and social issues. She has also contributed to peer-reviewed publications in One Health and zoonotic disease research.

Ms. Thammasutti holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and a Master of Arts in Political Economy, both from the Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Veterinary Public Health at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University. Her doctoral studies build upon her experience in research management and field implementation while strengthening her expertise in One Health, veterinary public health, and interdisciplinary research.

Worakamon (Tuck) Thongkan

วรกมล ทองขัน

Researcher/ Field Coordinator

Ms. Worakamon Thongkan is a Researcher and Field Coordinator at SUPA71, supporting the implementation of multidisciplinary research, evaluation, and development projects across Thailand. She plays a key role in coordinating field activities and working closely with research teams, institutional partners, local authorities, community leaders, and study participants to ensure effective and timely project implementation.

She has extensive experience in quantitative and qualitative research in both urban and rural settings, including fieldwork preparation, participant recruitment, survey implementation, interviews, focus group discussions, community-based data collection, transcription and coding, data management, and support for data analysis and reporting. She also supports field-team coordination, logistics, stakeholder engagement, and quality assurance throughout the data collection process.

Ms. Thongkan has contributed to multidisciplinary research across diverse populations, communities, and geographical settings, with particular strength in community-based field research and engagement with local stakeholders. Her experience enables her to bridge research protocols and practical field implementation while ensuring that research activities are responsive to local contexts and communities.

She graduated from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, with first-ranking academic performance. Her social science background and extensive field experience strengthen SUPA71’s capacity to implement high-quality multidisciplinary research and field activities.

Muhammad Alee Song

Quantitative Data Manager

Mr. Muhammad Alee Song is the Quantitative Data Manager at SUPA71, responsible for supporting quantitative data management and analysis across the organization’s multidisciplinary research, evaluation, and development projects. He works closely with research teams to ensure that quantitative data are systematically collected, managed, validated, analyzed, and prepared for reporting and research outputs.

He has experience in quantitative research, database development and management, data cleaning and validation, data quality assurance, statistical analysis, and preparation of analytical datasets. He supports the development and programming of quantitative research tools, establishment of data-management procedures, monitoring of data completeness and consistency, identification and resolution of data-quality issues, and preparation of descriptive and inferential analyses.

Mr. Song also contributes to research design, sampling, development of quantitative indicators, statistical interpretation, visualization of findings, and preparation of tables and analytical outputs for technical reports, presentations, and scientific publications. He works with research and field teams throughout the research process to strengthen data quality from instrument development and field implementation through final analysis.

His quantitative and analytical expertise strengthens SUPA71’s capacity to manage complex datasets and generate rigorous, reliable, and decision-relevant evidence across multidisciplinary projects.

Arpan (Pang) Kama

Researcher/ Southern Thailand Field Coordinator

Mr. Arpan Kama is a Researcher and Southern Thailand Field Coordinator at SUPA71, supporting multidisciplinary research, evaluation, and development projects, with particular responsibility for field coordination and implementation in Southern Thailand. He works closely with research teams, local partners, authorities, community leaders, and study participants to facilitate effective field implementation and stakeholder engagement.

He has experience in quantitative and qualitative research, including fieldwork preparation, participant recruitment, survey implementation, interviews, focus group discussions, community-based data collection, field-team coordination, data management, documentation, and support for research analysis and reporting. He also contributes to logistical coordination and quality assurance during field implementation.

Mr. Kama has particular strengths in community engagement and field research in Southern Thailand, including working with culturally and socially diverse communities. His familiarity with local contexts and community networks supports culturally appropriate communication, participant engagement, and effective coordination between research teams and local stakeholders.

His research and field experience across multidisciplinary projects strengthens SUPA71’s capacity to implement high-quality research and evaluation activities in Southern Thailand, particularly those requiring strong community participation, local coordination, and sensitivity to diverse social and cultural contexts.

The Philippines

Cecile M. Lantican, Ph.D.

Communication / Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Expert

Dr. Cecile Lantican is SUPA71’s Communication and Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Expert, bringing extensive international experience in strategic communication, behavior change, risk communication, community engagement, and capacity strengthening. She contributes communication and behavioral expertise to SUPA71’s multidisciplinary research, intervention, and development portfolio.

Dr. Lantican has extensive experience in Social and Behavior Change Communication, risk communication, health communication, communication strategy development, community engagement, social marketing, and training and capacity building. Her work focuses on translating research and evidence into practical communication approaches that support informed decision-making and positive behavioral and social change among individuals, communities, service providers, and other stakeholders.

She has designed and implemented communication strategies, training programs, communication materials, interpersonal communication approaches, and community-based interventions, and has substantial experience strengthening the communication capacities of government personnel, frontline workers, and community actors. Her work has included communication for emerging infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness, One Health and zoonotic disease risks, reproductive health, and other health and development issues.

Dr. Lantican has worked extensively across Southeast Asia, collaborating with government agencies, international organizations, development partners, research institutions, and communities. She also brings experience in the use of information and communication technologies and innovative communication approaches to strengthen community preparedness, resilience, access to information, and engagement.

Her combination of communication science, behavioral approaches, community engagement, and practical program implementation strengthens SUPA71’s capacity to translate multidisciplinary research evidence into effective communication strategies, interventions, capacity-building programs, and stakeholder engagement approaches.

Indonesia

Bagus Pradana

Sustainable Development Researcher, Journalist & Media Engagement Expert

Mr. Bagus Pradana is a Sustainable Development Researcher, Journalist, and Media Engagement Expert with SUPA71, contributing to multidisciplinary research, communication, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge dissemination across development-related projects. His work bridges research and communication, helping translate complex evidence and development issues into accessible information for diverse audiences.

He has experience in sustainable development research, journalism, strategic communication, media engagement, stakeholder communication, content development, and knowledge dissemination. His research interests encompass social, environmental, and development issues, with particular attention to how evidence, public communication, and media can contribute to greater awareness, stakeholder participation, and informed decision-making.

As a journalist and media engagement professional, Mr. Pradana contributes expertise in story development, interviewing, evidence-based reporting, media relations, communication materials, and the translation of technical findings into clear and engaging narratives. He supports the communication of research findings to audiences beyond academia, including communities, civil society, policymakers, development partners, media organizations, and the wider public.

His combined experience in research, sustainable development, journalism, and media engagement strengthens SUPA71’s capacity to communicate multidisciplinary evidence effectively and to connect research findings with broader public, policy, and development discussions.

Lao PDR

Bouasy Hongvanthong, M.D.

Senior Public Health Expert, Lao PDR

Dr. Bouasy Hongvanthong is SUPA71’s Senior Public Health Expert in Lao PDR, bringing more than 35 years of experience in public health, communicable disease prevention and control, epidemiology, and health program leadership. He provides senior technical guidance and country-level expertise for SUPA71’s multidisciplinary research, evaluation, and development activities in Lao PDR and contributes to regional and cross-border initiatives.

Dr. Hongvanthong is a former Director of the Center of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (CMPE), Ministry of Health, Lao PDR, where he held senior leadership responsibilities for national programs and research related to malaria, parasitic diseases, entomology, disease surveillance, prevention, and control. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with national and subnational health authorities and international research and development partners, providing substantial experience in the interface between scientific evidence, national programs, and public health policy.

He has extensive research experience in malaria and malaria elimination, parasitic and vector-borne diseases, epidemiological surveillance, population mobility and forest-going populations, antimalarial drug resistance, and disease prevention and control. He has contributed to numerous international collaborative studies and scientific publications, including research involving the Ministry of Health, Institut Pasteur du Laos, Japanese research institutions, universities, and other international partners.

Dr. Hongvanthong brings particular strengths in government and stakeholder engagement, research coordination, program implementation, institutional collaboration, and translation of research evidence into national and subnational public health action. His long-standing knowledge of the Lao health system and institutional landscape strengthens SUPA71’s capacity to undertake multidisciplinary research and technical assignments that require strong national engagement, contextual understanding, and effective coordination with government and development partners.

Chanthalone (Lone) Khamkong

Operations, Administration & Finance Coordinator — Lao PDR

Ms. Chanthalone Khamkong serves as SUPA71’s Operations, Administration and Finance Coordinator in Lao PDR, supporting the operational, administrative, financial, and logistical management of SUPA71’s multidisciplinary research, evaluation, and development activities in the country. She also serves as a key coordination focal point between SUPA71, project teams, local partners, stakeholders, and field teams in Lao PDR.

She supports project administration, financial documentation and coordination, budgeting and expenditure tracking, procurement, logistics, travel and field arrangements, meeting and training coordination, documentation, and day-to-day project operations. She works closely with SUPA71’s management and technical teams to ensure that project activities are efficiently organized and implemented in accordance with agreed workplans and operational requirements.

Ms. Khamkong also plays an important role in country-level and field coordination, supporting communication and engagement with institutional partners, government and local stakeholders, communities, research participants, and field personnel. Her knowledge of the Lao context and local working environment facilitates project implementation, stakeholder coordination, and logistical arrangements across different study locations.

Her combined responsibilities in operations, administration, finance, logistics, and country coordination strengthen SUPA71’s capacity to effectively implement multidisciplinary and multi-country projects in Lao PDR and support collaboration between Thailand- and Lao PDR-based teams.

Experts

Kathleen (Kate) O’Rourke

Consultant

Kate has 10 years of progressively responsible experience in public health program management, community development, operations, and research. Most recently, she has designed and executed mixed methods research projects in South and Southeast Asia.

Kate has extensive experience bringing together diverse stakeholders, especially government representatives, nonprofit organizations, the private sector, and donors. She uses a data-driven process to assess problems and to deliver measurable results. Her expertise is on working at the interface of human health and the (built) environment on issues such as zoonosis, climate change adaptation, and health impact assessments. She has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning.

Nuttapong (Ton) Mekvipad

Data Management Expert/ Consultant

Mr. Nuttapong Mekvipad is a Data Management Expert and Consultant to SUPA71, providing specialized data management support for multidisciplinary research, evaluation, and development projects on an assignment basis. He works with research, technical, and field teams to develop and manage data systems and ensure that project data are systematically collected, processed, documented, and prepared for analysis.

He has experience in database development and management, digital data collection systems, data cleaning and validation, data processing, data quality assurance, dataset preparation, and research data documentation. His work includes supporting electronic data collection tools, establishing data management and quality-control procedures, monitoring data completeness and consistency, resolving data-quality issues, and preparing structured datasets for analysis and reporting.

Mr. Mekvipad also contributes to data management planning, database maintenance, data integration, secure data handling, and quality assurance throughout the research cycle. His technical expertise strengthens SUPA71’s capacity to manage complex and multi-site datasets and maintain high standards of data quality, consistency, security, and documentation across multidisciplinary projects.