The Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences of Chiang Mai University welcomed on Wednesday 18th January delegations from IRD of Thailand and Laos for the signature of the creation of the International Joint Laboratory - IJL PRESTO.

In the presence of the Dean of the Faculty AMS - Associated Medical Sciences of Chiang Mai University, Prof. Dr. Sakorn Pornprasert, the Vice-Dean of the Faculty, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ratchada Cressey, the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof. Dr. Korakot Nganvongpanit, the IRD Representative in Thailand, Dr. Xavier Mari, the IRD Representative in Laos, Dr. Éric Deharo as well as the members of the PRESTO team, the agreement for the creation of the International Joint Laboratory - IJL PRESTO was signed at the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences of Chiang Mai University on Wednesday 18th January. This agreement officially marks the launch of this collaborative laboratory between Thailand, Laos and France.

The ceremony was first opened by the Dean of the AMS Faculty, the IRD Representative in Thailand, the IRD Representative in Laos and then by the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Each IJL Presto representative then introduced the laboratory, its objectives and the projects carried out by the future structure. A discussion between the people present emerged from this presentation. Following this, Prof. Dr. Sakorn Pornprasert and Dr. Xavier Mari signed the agreement.

What is the IJL PRESTO?

The PRESTO International Joint Laboratory (PRotect-dEtect-STOp - Understanding and mitigating zoonotic spillover events in declining biodiversity hot spots in Southeast Asia) is a multidisciplinary partnership bringing together French, Lao and Thai experts and researchers sharing the common goal of preventing and combating emerging infectious diseases in the Greater Mekong Region. Led by three researchers Dr. Woottichai KHAMDUANG (AMS, Chiang Mai University), Dr. Sabrina LOCATELLI (IRD - MIVEGEC) and Dr. Nicole NGO-GIANG-HUONG (IRD - MIVEGEC), the objectives of the LMI PRESTO are to:

  • Establish a sustainable research platform on emerging diseases at the human/animal/environment interface that will help regional partnerships to develop and thrive, while decreasing dependence on international financial support
  • Establish a local alert system to better prepare for future outbreaks
  • Develop a sustainable surveillance toolkit with a best practice guide to improve knowledge sharing and assist in the design and implementation of biodiversity conservation and public health strategies and policies in the Greater Mekong Subregion