L'Oreal lauds bone expert

       Recently, Prof Dr Nateetip Krishnamra, head of the Consortium for Calcium and Bone Research (Cocab) at Mahidol University's Faculty of Science, received the "L'Ore'al Special Science Recognition in Sustainable Development" award.
       The bestowing of the special acclaim took place on the occasion of L'Ore' al's 100th anniversary, and was aimed at selecting and applauding a successful Thai female scientist aged over 40 whose research contributes sustainable benefits to Thai society.
       Prof Nateetip was chosen for Cocab's research work on prolactin, a protein hormone that balances calcium in the human body and performs a vital role in nursing mothers' production of milk for their babies. The team also found that prolactin stimulates intestinal calcium absorption and bone turnover and reduces the release of calcium through the urine.
       The main objective of the research is "to help Thai people maintain strong bones", explained Prof Nateetip, who has been active in multidisciplinary research into calcium and bone metabolism for 30 years.
       She added that a thorough understanding of prolactin may lead to new diagnoses and treatments of metabolic bone disorders. Metabolic bone diseases are among the major threats to most elderly people. It is expected that by 2020, Thailand's elderly population will number 14 million, almost double next year's figure of 7.5 million.
       A related disease called osteoporosis affects people of all ages. It is a medical condition where the bones become brittle due to hormonal changes or lack of calcium or vitamin D, and is the number six cause of death among Thai people,especially women.
       According to Prof Nateetip, the research covers studies of the role of prolactin and changes in calcium balance and bone turnover during human pathology.
       The research also aims to develop new technology to accommodate research into calcium and bone such as electrophysiological techniques, atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation.
       Dr Kopr Kamnuanthip, honorary chairman of the recognition committee,said that there were two special elements to the award: It was the first time the focus was on sustainable development,and the first time the person honoured was a female scientist.
       "This act of recognition is intended to encourage more women to enter the various branches of the science industry as well as to instil greater confidence in practising female scientists to continue their creative work in their career," said Dr Kopr.
       The recipient has to be an acknowledged successful researcher and her research must have been published in an international journal and accepted by her professional peers, Dr Kopr said,explaining the criteria used in the judging process.
       Besides being the head of Cocab, Prof Nateetip teaches at the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University. Prof Nateetip was a doctoral student awardee of the Prof Tab Nilanithi Foundation in 1997. She won the Faculty of Science's Best Teacher Award in 2002 and the Thailand Research Fund's Senior Research Scholar prize from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2007 to 2009.