Six fourth-year undergraduate students from the Medical Technology International Program, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, are currently undertaking international internships at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North Dakota State University (NDSU), USA. The program runs from May 15 to September 15, 2025, offering a four-month research experience in advanced biomedical laboratories.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Suriyan Sukati, internship advisor and Secretary of International Affairs at Walailak University, visited NDSU from August 21–22, 2025. The visit focused on observing student training, engaging in academic discussions, and identifying opportunities for future collaboration between Walailak University and NDSU.
This training course provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in advanced biomedical research laboratories, broadening their technical expertise, academic development, and international outlook. The six students are currently conducting their internships under the supervision of three distinguished faculty members at NDSU.
Dr. Jagdish Singh, Chair/Professor of Administration in Pharmaceutical Sciences, leads a laboratory that conducts mechanistic studies to design and test innovative delivery technologies for biotechnologically derived molecules such as peptides, proteins, and genes. His overarching goal is to develop new therapeutic strategies for diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. His specific research interests include transdermal delivery of bioactive materials, conformational and chemical stabilization of proteins in delivery systems, protein and gene delivery using microspheres and nanoparticles, development of nanomicelles and liposomes for biomedical applications, and the synthesis and characterization of graft polymers for protein and gene delivery. He is currently supervising two students, Mr. Panupong Yaya and Mr. Kunanon Aksonjit.
Dr. Ang Guo, Assistant Professor, focuses his research on bridging fundamental mechanistic insight with practical bioengineering, advancing both the understanding of cardiac pathophysiology and the design of novel biological systems. His current projects investigate the cardiac innate immune system, while his broader interests include protein multifunctionality, synthetic biology, protein design, and the application of deep learning and AI in biomedical research. Dr. Guo’s laboratory employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating molecular biology, biochemistry, electrophysiology, animal models, and computational methods to address complex scientific questions. He currently supervises two students, Miss Busaraporn Disaraporn and Miss Isariyaporn Yatha.
Dr. Natasha Fillmore, Assistant Professor, leads a laboratory that investigates the role of energy metabolism in metabolic diseases, with particular focus on type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Her research places strong emphasis on the heart and skeletal muscle, aiming to deepen understanding of how metabolic regulation influences disease progression and to contribute to the development of new strategies for prevention and treatment. Current interests in her lab include studying the role of energy metabolism in insulin resistance and exploring how fatty acid signaling regulates cardiac hypertrophy and function. She is currently supervising two students, Miss Wanita Jamanan and Miss Pattarada Thongkwao.
Students from the Medical Technology International Program at Walailak University are conducting research training at NDSU under the supervision of Dr. Jagdish Singh, Dr. Ang Guo, and Dr. Natasha Fillmore. The program highlights the University’s commitment to international collaboration while providing participants with hands-on research experience, cross-cultural learning, and global perspectives, helping to shape the next generation of scientists in medical technology and biomedical sciences.