Category: Delegate

Marisa Panyachiva

A lawyer by background, Marisa Panyachiva joined the United Nations in 2006. In her current role, she provides substantive support for strategic planning and coordination of partnerships for the UN in Thailand. She facilitates dialogues with government, the private sector, civil society, academia and other relevant stakeholders to improve development assistance policies and practices.

She also brings with her experience at the regional level having worked 15 years with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific (ESCAP) in the area of developing capacity development strategies and supporting programme management. Prior to joining the UN, she was a finance lawyer with Baker & McKenzie.

She obtained her first degree in law from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, and has a master’s in law from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and Georgetown University Law Center in Washington DC, US.

Ms Bonnie Daniels

Bonnie Daniels is the Innovation Officer at the University of Bradford, where she leads initiatives to foster creativity, entrepreneurship, and knowledge exchange across staff and students. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Product Design and a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from Newcastle University, giving her a strong interdisciplinary foundation for technology transfer, innovation and product development. In her role, she delivers intellectual property workshops, helps to create and support spinouts and licensing opportunities, guides inventions along the commercial pipeline and is especially engaged in the transfer of software (AI), exploring both their potential applications and the challenges they raise from an IP and commercialisation perspective. Bonnie works across all faculties, including Engineering, the Centre for Space AI and the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics (ICT) and has developed strong collaborative relationships with academics to support research translation and impact.

Alongside her university role, she is part of a company developing sustainable footwear from recyclable materials, reflecting her wider interest in innovation, STEM and sustainable design.

Dr. Shobha B N

Dr. B. N. Shobha is the Principal of BGS Institute of Technology (BGSIT), part of the Faculty of Engineering, Management & Technology at BG Nagara, Karnataka. She holds M.Tech and Ph.D. degrees, and brings over 30 years of experience in academia. Under her leadership, Dr. Shobha has made significant contributions to research, having published and co‑authored multiple papers in international and national journals and conferences.

She has secured competitive funding (including support from AICTE and KSCST), and been instrumental in establishing advanced infrastructure such as the AICTE IDEA Lab and a satellite communication ground station at BGSIT. Her work also includes obtaining patents in areas spanning deep learning‑based medical diagnostics, wireless sensor networks, and even astronaut shoe design. Beyond research, she is deeply involved in academic administration, serving on numerous professional bodies, councils, and committees, and has been recognised with various awards for her academic, administrative, and research achievements.

Atty. Paisalin Tago

Atty. Paisalin P.D. Tago, CPA, is a highly accomplished and distinguished public servant, legislator, and legal professional who now serves as the 9th Regular President of the Mindanao State University (MSU) System. He advocates inclusive development, social justice, and education as a tool for empowerment. As a fellow of the East-West Center’s New Generation Seminar in Hawaii, he represented the Philippines among a global cohort of emerging leaders, further enriching his cross-cultural and policy perspectives. With over three decades of leadership experience, he has served in various capacities across regional and national government. He was a sitting Member of Parliament of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, and formerly served as Deputy Speaker. Also as Minister of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in the Bangsamoro Government in the Philippines, he led institutional reforms and infrastructure initiatives to improve connectivity and mobility across the BARMM region. He also served as Commissioner of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and as a consultant to the Senate during the deliberations on the Bangsamoro Organic Law. He also served as a Board of Administrator in the Cooperative Development Authority. His legislative portfolio reflects a comprehensive vision for human development—authoring landmark measures on education, public health, science and technology, peacebuilding, institutional reform, and cultural preservation.

As a university president, he brings with him not only his experience in public policy, but a deep respect for the role of education in nation-building. He has consistently advocated for greater investments in scholarships, teacher training, research, and institutional excellence. He believes that Mindanao State University can become a global hub of academic innovation, cultural exchange, and peace education—anchored in service to the people of Mindanao and the Bangsamoro. He bridges multiple worlds: the legal and the academic, the bureaucratic and the cultural, the local and the global.

Professor Dr. Ms. Cuiying Zhang

Zhang Cuiying, Ph.D., is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology. She has been selected for the first level of the Tianjin “131” Talent Training Program, and has been recognized as a “Disciplinary Leader” in Tianjin’s higher education institutions, an “Outstanding Young Teacher” in Tianjin’s higher education institutions, an “Outstanding Young Graduate Supervisor” in Tianjin’s higher education institutions, and a “Distinguished Young Scholar of the Lun Shiyi Education Fund.” She serves as the Director of the China Light Industry Key Laboratory of Microbial Engineering, Vice President of the Industrial Innovation Technology Research Institute of the China Alcoholic Drinks Association, and is a member of the National Technical Committee for Standardization of Baijiu (Chinese Liquor). Additionally, she is a Council Member of the Yeast Branch of the China Biotech Fermentation Industry Association, and a Standing Council Member of both the Tianjin Society for Microbiology and the Tianjin Society for Trace Elements.

Professor Dr. Mr. Long Ma

Ma Long, Ph.D., is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Tianjin University of Science and Technology. He currently serves as Deputy Director of the International Exchange Office and Deputy Director of the Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology (Ministry of Education). He is also a Principal Investigator (PI) at the State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety. He conducted his doctoral and postdoctoral research from 2008 to 2014 at the University of Edinburgh and the University of St Andrews in the UK. His research focuses on bioanalysis, studies on the activity of natural products, and food safety detection. Since returning to China, he has led 6 talent projects, 5 projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), 5 provincial/ministerial-level projects. He has published over 100 SCI-indexed papers with acumulative impact factor (IF) > 850. More than 70 of these papers were published in Top journals, with 34 papers having an IF > 10. His publications have garnered over 4,500 citations, and his H-index exceeds 40. Additionally, he has contributed to 4 academic monographs in both Chinese and English as an associate editor or contributing author, including two English books published by Elsevier and Springer. His notable awards and honors include: 2023 Tianjin Distinguished Young Scientist Fund, World’s Top 2% Scientists (2023, 2024), First Prize Recipient of the 2023 Tianjin Natural Science Award, Tianjin Youth Science and Technology Award, Wiley’s Top Cited Article Award (2022-2023).

Professor Min Wang

Wang Min, Ph.D., is a professor and doctoral supervisor, serving as the Vice President of Tianjin University of Science and Technology. She is an expert receiving special allowance from the State Council. Currently, she holds several key positions, including Vice Chair of the Science and Technology Work Committee of the China Condiment Association, Vice Chair of the National Technical Committee for Standardization of Condiments, Council Member of the Third Board of Directors of the China Biotech Fermentation Industry Association, and Member of the Fermentation Engineering Technology Work Committee, Vice Chair of the Microbial Breeding and Application Branch of the China Biotech Fermentation Industry Association.

Her research focuses on microbial resource exploration, construction of cell factories and microbial communities, microbial fermentation technology and precise process control, as well as the nutrition and health aspects of fermented foods. Over the past five years, she has led more than 10 national-level research projects, including those under the National Key R&D Program and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. She has published over 200 papers in internationally renowned journals, and has applied for/been granted more than 100 patents. Many of her research achievements have been successfully industrialized, delivering significant economic and social benefits. She has received numerous awards, including two first prizes and four second prizes for the Tianjin Science and Technology Progress Award, two China Excellent Patent Awards, one first prize for Science and Technology from the China National Food Industry Association, and the Tianjin Award for Outstanding Contributions to Industry-Academia-Research Cooperation.

Dr. Wallapa Choeibuakaew

Wallapa Choeibuakaew, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Sports Science at Thaksin University, Thailand, is a leading expert in social innovation in health. Over the course of her career, Dr. Choeibuakaew has developed more than ten innovative health models across Thailand and China, and holds nine copyrights for her groundbreaking work. Her research seamlessly bridges academic rigor with practical solutions that empower communities and enhance population well-being.

Among her most impactful contributions are the ACER Model for Dengue Prevention and Control, the PLANSR Model for Community-Based Physical Therapy, which empowers patients to manage their rehabilitation independently while maintaining their careers and daily lives, the FAST-Learning approach for Drowning Prevention in Children, which equips communities with essential knowledge and skills to prevent childhood drowning, and the Bandan PERL Model for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, which has since been adapted for other emerging infectious diseases. Her models are widely recognized for their effectiveness, sustainability, and social impact, serving as benchmarks in the field of health innovation.

Through her leadership, vision, and relentless dedication, Professor Wallapa Choeibuakaew continues to transform health science into a force for community empowerment, social change, and lasting impact. Please join me in welcoming her to the stage.

Dr Kanida Sinmai

Dr. Kanida Sinmai is the Director of the Institute of Learning Resources and Digital Technology at Thaksin University and a lecturer in Computer and Information Science.

Kanida is the Director of the newly established institute, which unites the university’s library services with its digital technology functions under a single strategic vision. She is responsible for the leadership and management of the institute, guiding its mission, shaping its values, and overseeing all aspects of IT operations across two campuses. Her role involves leading the integration of physical and digital learning resources, developing forward-looking strategies, and ensuring that technology serves as a catalyst for academic excellence, research innovation, and community engagement.

Kanida holds a PhD in Computer Science from Newcastle, UK, where her research focused on collaborative work using multi-displays to enhance teamwork and productivity. Her academic work combines human–computer interaction, interface design, and emerging technologies, with the goal of making collaboration more intuitive, engaging, and effective. She continues to apply these insights to her leadership and innovation projects, ensuring that digital tools are designed around people, not just processes.

Kanida is passionate about digital literacy, inclusivity, and widening access to knowledge. She believes in unlocking potential through technology, fostering environments where students, staff, and communities can co-create solutions to real-world problems. As a tireless advocate for innovation with a human focus, she is committed to ensuring that every learner has the skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive in the digital era.

Professor Art Marvin Arañas

Art Marvin Arañas is presently a full-time faculty member at Mindanao State University in Marawi City, Philippines. His academic course assignments includes Salesmanship, International Marketing, and Entrepreneurship, among others.

Marvin is an advocate for student-led start-ups and grassroots innovation. On top of being a full-time faculty member, Marvin has coached start-ups of university and high school students, which won national and international competitions.

Among his notable engagements include being the Entrepreneurship coach for the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs of the American Embassy in the Philippines, a certified STAR Trainer of Coca-Cola Philippines, both which enabled him to engage and empower local entrepreneurs in upscaling their businesses.

Having completed his Master’s in Production Management and Marketing in Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Marvin has expanded his interest by focusing his thesis on Renewable Energy Management and Decision Making.