Plenary Lecture
“Integrative Plant Genomics: From Botanical Discovery to Agricultural Transformation”
19 June 2026, 13.30-14.30
Plenary room 1, 301 Mahamakut Building
Prof. Dr. Luca Comai
UC Davis and Chulalongkorn University
Not All Mutations Are Equal:
Spatial Bias, Mechanisms, And Biological Cost
Download AbstractLuca Comai is a distinguished professor of Plant Biology at the Genome Center of the University of California at Davis. He has B.S. equivalent from the Universita' di Bologna, Italy, an M.S. in plant pathology from Washington State University, and a Ph.D. in plant pathology from UC Davis. During his Ph.D. work, he characterized the genetics of IAA biosynthesis in phytopathogenic pseudomonas. During his work at Calgene Inc, he discovered that glyphosate resistance could be engineered via alteration of EPSP synthase. At the University of Washington, he pioneered molecular genetic analysis of polyploid formation in arabidopsis and co-developed TILLING, a method to identify targeted mutations. Since joining UC Davis in 2006, he has focused on function and regulation of chromosomes in polyploid genomes, on haploid induction, and on stress-induced genome instability. Dr. Comai teaches the foundation genetics course at UCD using a flipped approach. He has authored around 200 publications, has an H impact factor of 89, is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He received the Distinguished Research award (2015) and the Distinguished Teaching award (2017) from the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences. He received the 2017 American Society Plant Biology Innovation Prize for Agricultural Technology. He is an elected member of the US National Academy of Sciences since 2023.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siwaret Arikit
Rice Science Center, Kasetsart University
Decoding Rice: Linking Natural Variation to Genes, Traits, and Agricultural Transformation
Download AbstractAssoc. Prof. Dr. Siwaret Arikit is the Director of the Rice Science Center, Kasetsart University, Thailand. His research focuses on rice genomics, molecular breeding, climate-resilient agriculture, and the application of omics technologies for crop improvement. He leads several national and international initiatives on rice and coconut genetic resources, breeding, and sustainable agricultural innovation. Dr. Arikit currently serves as an International External Advisory Board Member of OryzaNet (UK) and as Co-Team Leader of the International Thematic Action Group on Genomics and Breeding (ITAG2) under the International Coconut Community (ICC) and COGENT. He actively collaborates with leading international organizations and research institutions to advance crop genomics, breeding technologies, and climate-resilient agricultural systems. He is also a member of the Editorial Boards of several international journals, including Rice and Horticultural Plant Journal. Throughout his career, he has successfully built multidisciplinary research networks that integrate genomics, bioinformatics, breeding, and innovation to address global challenges in food security, climate change, and sustainable agricultural development. His research and leadership have contributed to advancing international collaborations in crop genomics, breeding, and sustainable agriculture, particularly in rice and coconut research across the Asia-Pacific region. His work aims to bridge advanced genomic research with practical applications that enhance food security, farmer livelihoods, and environmental sustainability worldwide.
PANEL DISCUSSION
70 years of Botany department, Chulalongkorn University
18 June 2026, 9.30-10.30
Plenary room 1, 301 Mahamakut Building
PANEL DISCUSSION
Botany in the 21st century
19 June 2026, 8.30-9.30
Plenary room 1, 301 Mahamakut Building
