Orachun Hayakijkosol

Dr Orachun Hayakijkosol is a senior lecturer in anatomy, histology and embryology at the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Australia. He is also a certified aquatic veterinarian from the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association (WAVMA), USA. He completed his Bachelor Degree of Veterinary Science from Mahidol University, Thailand before graduating Master Degree of Tropical Veterinary Science and Doctor of Philosophy in aquatic animal diseases from James Cook University, Australia.

Dr Orachun has researched the pathogenicity of reovirus to juvenile redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) using transmission electron microscopy, cell culture and experimental animal studies. His research led to the identification of the Australian Cherax reovirus sequence. He then developed PCR detection for the Cherax reovirus. He has also studied the Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) which is an aetiological agent of white tail disease in crustaceans. He discovered the whole genomic sequence of the MrNV Australian isolate and used redclaw crayfish as the animal model and cell culture to investigate the pathogenicity of the virus. He developed real-time RT-PCR protocol and design specific interference RNA to control the infection of MrNV in crustaceans. Moreover, he is interested in aquatic animal health focusing on freshwater and marine species.