A multi-faceted researcher

"I have been playing the piano since I was four years old and won awards at the youth level when I was 10 years old. At that time, I thought that I could not make music my profession since it is hard to earn one's livelihood through it. Therefore, for me, playing piano just is a hobby," Panit said.

He said the piano has improved his listening skills and also improved his English-language skills.

Panit took the first step toward becoming a biotec researcher when he was 15 years old, after getting a scholarship from the Science Ministry to study abroad at the Technische Universität München, Germany to study bioprocess engineering.

"I chose to study bioprocess engineering because I like studying subjects related to mathematics and biology," he said.

During his studies, he was involved in various activities as well as acting as the representative for the students council at the university.

"It was a great time for me and I got involved in many university-related activities with international students as well as Thai students studying there, Panit said.

"It allowed me to learn about the German culture and the lifestyles of students from around the world," he said.

As an engineering doctorate student, he again led students as the president of the Thai Students Association in Germany and got the DAAD award for best foreign student in 2003.

Working at Biotec, Panit has conducted probiotics research for about ten projects which has involved the commercialisation of  products that have proven successful in the

laboratory.

These products include Umami, which is a flavour associated with a non-essential amino acid, glutamate and other nitrogen compounds.

He also holds the post of computational fluid dynamic simulation professor at King Mongkut's University of Technology, Thonburi.