Dr. Yongyuth Yuthavong is Immediate Past President of the Thai Academy of Science and Technology. He began his career in science as a researcher and biochemistry professor at Mahidol University. In 1992, he was appointed the first Director of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), where he served two terms. Currently, he works on the development of antimalarial drugs at the NSTDA’s National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. Dr. Yuthavong’s research interests include drug target interactions, drug resistance, molecular biology of malaria parasites, and the broad issues of science and technology.

Dr. Yuthavong earned a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Oxford. He was awarded a Thai government scholarship to study in the United Kingdom, where he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry with first class honors from University of London. He has published more than 100 research papers in international journals, and has authored and co-authored 10 books on both technical and broad issues of science and technology. His years of dedication in the field have lead to numerous awards, including Outstanding Scientist of Thailand from the Foundation for Promotion of Science and Technology, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Science and Technology Meritorious Service from the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology, and the Outstanding Government Scholar Award from the Thai Government Scholars Association. He was appointed Minister of Science and Technology in 2006.