Two Chula Researchers Win 2025 L’Oréal Thailand ‘For Women in Science’ Grant 

Chulalongkorn University proudly congratulates Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pitcha Jongvivatsakul and Dr. Rongrong Cheacharoen for receiving the 23rd L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science 2025 Award on November 7, 2025, at the Magnolia Ballroom, 9th Floor, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Bangkok. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pitcha Jongvivatsakul, Head of the Centre of Excellence in Innovative Construction Materials, Faculty of Engineering, was recognized for her research titled “Development of Low-Carbon Concrete Utilizing Agricultural and Industrial Waste for Sustainable Construction.” 

Dr. Rongrong Cheacharoen, from the Metallurgy and Materials Research Institute, was honored for her research titled “Development of High-Efficiency, Low-Cost, and Safe Solar Cells with Sustainable Materials and Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing Processes for Energy Security and a Zero Carbon Society.” Both researchers received funding in the field of physical sciences and are among only four recipients nationwide this year. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pitcha Jongvivatsakul explained that her research focuses on transforming waste into valuable resources by using biomass ash to create geopolymer concrete that does not rely on cement, significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the construction industry. Her work also explores integrating granite waste, natural sand, and recycled plastic into construction materials, providing solutions to waste management challenges while conserving natural resources. 

Dr. Rongrong Cheacharoen stated that her research aims to advance clean energy technologies using sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. The project develops high-efficiency, lightweight, and flexible perovskite solar cells, as well as safe, high-capacity solid-state batteries, using domestic raw materials or agricultural waste. These innovations are intended for practical applications in households and communities, contributing to energy security and a zero-carbon society. 

Established in 1998 by the L’Oréal Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO, the L’Oréal Thailand Research Grant “For Women in Science”, supports emerging female researchers at the national and regional levels. In Thailand, grants of 250,000 baht each are awarded annually to female researchers under 40 in the biological and physical sciences. To date, 91 Thai female researchers from over 20 institutions have benefited from this program. 

(Source: Office of Research Affairs, Chulalongkorn University) 

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