Chris Daeyun Kim
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University

Chris Dae-Yun Kim's journey into the realm of pest control and disease prevention started in 2009 when he joined a pesticide company in Korea for research and development. Driven by a deep passion for understanding tropical insect vectors, he expanded his explorations to Malaysia and Thailand starting in 2014. Under the mentorship of Prof. Lee Chow-Yang at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Chris conducted groundbreaking research on the climbing ability of the tropical bed bug. This work not only earned him widespread recognition but also found its way into major media coverages, showcasing the significance of his contributions. Chris's overarching mission revolves around safeguarding communities from the threat of mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue. In pursuit of this goal, he successfully crafted chemical lures customized for trapping each vector mosquito. Furthermore, he played a pivotal role in the design and testing of cost-effective spatial repellent tools, employing highly volatile pyrethroids like transfluthrin and metofluthrin under the guidance of Prof. Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap at Kasetsart University. Emphasizing the importance of acquiring fundamental knowledge about target pests, Chris strongly advocates for successful and sustainable pest management. He recognizes that a close collaboration between industry and academia is essential for developing innovative solutions in disease control strategies. As an invited speaker, Chris Dae-Yun Kim brings not only a wealth of expertise but also a profound passion for making a positive impact on global health. His journey and research contributions underscore the transformative potential of bridging the gap between industry and academia for the advancement of effective and sustainable disease control strategies.