Dr. Lakha Salaipeth is a dedicated researcher and academic in the field of natural resource management, specializing in mycoviruses, microbial biotechnology, and sustainable bioresource utilization. As a lecturer at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, she combines her expertise in microbiology, biotechnology, and food science to advance scientific knowledge and practical applications in agriculture, aquaculture, and environmental management. Her research spans fungal virology, microbial pigments, enzymatic biomass conversion, and waste valorization. With international research collaborations and contributions to peer-reviewed journals, she is recognized for her role in bridging fundamental science and applied biotechnology, fostering innovations that support sustainable development goals.
Orcid
Education
Dr. Salaipeth earned her Ph.D. in Agriculture from Okayama University, Japan, focusing on the biological and molecular characterization of mycoviruses, with significant insights into genome rearrangements and gene expression strategies. She obtained her M.Sc. in Biotechnology from Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, where her thesis centered on developing probiotic products for white shrimp aquaculture. Her academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Food Science and Nutrition from the same university, laying the foundation for her multidisciplinary expertise. This diverse educational background has enabled her to integrate molecular biology, microbial biotechnology, and food science in her research and teaching.
Professional Experience
Dr. Salaipeth is currently a full-time lecturer at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, where she teaches and conducts research in natural resource management and microbial biotechnology. She previously worked as a researcher in the Plant Microbe Interaction Group at Okayama University, contributing to projects in fungal virology. Her industry experience includes serving as Production Executive at Matterhorn Lin Foong, Malaysia, and Production Supervisor at Pacific Fish Processing, Thailand. This blend of academic and industrial expertise enables her to link theoretical research with real-world applications, particularly in sustainable agriculture, aquaculture biotechnology, and microbial resource utilization.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Salaipeth’s career reflects recognition through her contributions to both research and education in microbial biotechnology and natural resource management. Her work has been published in reputable international journals and book chapters, highlighting her expertise in mycoviruses, microbial pigments, and enzymatic biomass degradation. She has been acknowledged for fostering international research collaborations and contributing to sustainable solutions in agriculture and aquaculture. Her participation in multidisciplinary projects and her role in academic mentorship underscore her standing in the scientific community. Through her publications and conference contributions, she has gained respect among peers as an innovator in bioresource technology.
Research Skills
Dr. Salaipeth’s research skills span mycovirus characterization, microbial pigment production, enzymatic biomass degradation, and waste-to-resource bioconversion. She is adept in molecular biology techniques, microbial isolation and screening, protein purification, and structural biology approaches. Her expertise includes studying plant–microbe interactions, hypovirulence mechanisms, and developing biotechnological applications in agriculture, aquaculture, and environmental remediation. She has experience in industrial fermentation processes, enzymatic pretreatment strategies, and microbial metabolite characterization. Her interdisciplinary skill set enables her to address challenges in sustainable resource use, linking fundamental microbial science with applied innovations in food, feed, and environmental biotechnology.
Publications
Hassan, M.K., Sun, L., Jirakkakul, J., Saithong, T., Kalapanulak, S., Krobthong, S., Maiuthed, A., Yodying, Y., Permana, B.H., & Salaipeth, L. (2025). “Hypovirulence Induced by Mycovirus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides RNA virus 1 strain Ssa-44.1 in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides: Insights from a multi-Omics Analysis of Host-Virus Interactions” in Microbiological Research .
Moktip, T., Salaipeth, L., Cope, A.E., Taherzadeh, M.J., Watanabe, T., Phitsuwan, P., & Mohamed, S.A. (2025). “Current Understanding of Feather Keratin and Keratinase and Their Applications in Biotechnology” in Biochemistry Research International.
Pundee, K., Akeprathumchai, S., Tripetchkul, S., & Salaipeth, L. (2023). “Unveiling the microbial dynamics in vermicomposting with coir pith as earthworm substrate” in Heliyon.
So, L.-H., Jirakkakul, J., Salaipeth, L., Toopaang, W., & Amnuaykanjanasin, A. (2023). “TOR Signaling Tightly Regulated Vegetative Growth, Conidiation, Oxidative Stress Tolerance, and Entomopathogenicity in the Fungus Beauveria bassiana” in Microorganisms.
Suharto, A.R., Jirakkakul, J., Eusebio-Cope, A., & Salaipeth, L. (2022). “Hypovirulence of Colletotrichum gloesporioides Associated with dsRNA Mycovirus Isolated from a Mango Orchard in Thailand” in Viruses.
Conclusion
Dr. Lakha Salaipeth stands out as a scientist whose career bridges academic research, industrial application, and sustainable development. Her multidisciplinary expertise enables her to integrate microbiology, biotechnology, and food science into innovative solutions for agriculture, aquaculture, and environmental challenges. Through her teaching, she inspires future scientists, while her research continues to contribute valuable insights into fungal virology, microbial metabolites, and bioconversion technologies. Her collaborative spirit and commitment to knowledge dissemination have expanded the reach and impact of her work internationally. With a balance of scholarly excellence and practical innovation, she plays a pivotal role in advancing bioresource technology.