Tawan “Pop” Kiratiwongwan’s research as a bioengineering doctoral student at Rice University explores how to apply synthetic biology tools to control genes in stem cells, which could save lives by filling a gap in organ and tissue donations.
Thanks to winning a Quad Fellowship, an international award supporting the next generation of scientists and technologists, Kiratiwongwan is also building connections in science, industry, academia and government that have enriched his graduate school experience and deepened his understanding of the impact of his work.
“The Quad Fellowship provides valuable perspectives from the government and policymaker side,” Kiratiwongwan said. “Through the program, I have had the opportunity to engage with experts working with the White House and the Department of State on science policy. These interactions have encouraged me to think more critically about the broader societal impact of my work and how I can contribute as a researcher.”
Kiratiwongwan’s leading-edge work to genetically engineer human stem cells will address long-standing challenges in regenerative medicine, said Caleb Bashor, his adviser and a Rice assistant professor of bioengineering and biosciences.
“Our hope is that his precision engineering approaches will lead to the ability to more rapidly and efficiently differentiate stem cells into functionally mature cells, unlocking their potential as a way to replace lost or damaged tissue,” Bashor said.
Kiratiwongwan is the third Rice student to win a Quad Fellowship in its two years of existence. Utana Umezaki and Sathvik Ajay Iyengar were in the inaugural class of recipients in 2023. The 2024 class of fellows, announced by the Institute of International Education, consists of only 50 scholars from 12 countries. The fellowship is an initiative of the governments of Australia, India, Japan and the United States. Applications are open for the 2025 class of fellows until March 3.
Rice students who are interested in the Quad Fellowship and other fellowships like it may apply for coaching through the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Rice’s coaching program pairs students with others who have won or applied to many major fellowships. During peak fellowship application season, the program also hosts write-a-thons that offer graduate students dedicated writing time and the opportunity to solicit feedback on application materials, said Randi McInerney, program administrator.
“The fellowship write-a-thon was very helpful for developing my personal statements and essays for my fellowship application,” said Kiratiwongwan, a sixth-year doctoral student who was born and raised in Bangkok and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Kiratiwongwan said he has always been fascinated by the potential of stem cells in therapy, but significant gaps remain in scientists’ understanding of stem cells and how to effectively control them for therapeutic applications. His research focuses on addressing such challenges by using synthetic biology tools to engineer stem cells and tackle fundamental biological questions.
In time, scientists may be able to effectively control genes in stem cells for therapeutic applications.
“The clinical applications of this work inspire me with the hope that it may one day provide an alternative treatment option,” Kiratiwongwan said.