The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/406282
22 Fall 2014 refect the sensibility of her American edu- cation. In 2007 she started the school's Tech- nopreneurship and Innovation Manage- ment Program, a multidisciplinary program in which graduate students work to trans- form basic research into marketable ideas— including a company called RediGen, which relies on technology developed by Tantaya- non herself to recycle used car tires into a new multifunctional composite material. Over the years, Tantayanon's initiatives have faced opposition from her more con- servative colleagues, but each time she was able to convince them to embrace innova- tion. Her power of persuasion has often proven useful—and, along with her opti- mism, it's something her American col- leagues have always admired. "There's one thing I think is emblematic of her," Weininger says, recalling their col- laborations. "And that is, 'Why not?' We'd be blue-skying about something, thinking, 'Oh, wouldn't it be nice?' I could foresee all sorts of diffculties. But Supawan's response would be 'Why not?' She didn't accept that diffculties would rule something out." That's unusual for an academic, adds Vaz. "Usually they'll focus on their own teaching and research. But Supawan has focused on advancing both her alma maters, and also on the future of Thailand." Despite her far-reaching goals, Tantayanon acknowledges that balancing her myriad commitments has been tough. She didn't apply for full professorship until a month before her retirement from Chulanlongkorn in 2012, landing that position just this year. "You have to sacrifce something, but my sacrifce is my own," she says. Her family has always been her frst priority (she still fnds time to cook those famous Thai meals for her husband and two sons), followed by work that benefts society. "The priority for myself is the last one," she says. "I didn't get a promotion because I didn't have time for myself. You have to get all your publications together, you have to write it up and then submit. I don't have time for that." Even in retirement, she still has little time to waste. Recently, she found herself in the United States again, preparing to give a talk on women leaders at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Fran- cisco. It had her refecting on her career, and she confessed that she never planned her path in advance. Instead, she says, she sim- ply opened herself up to opportunity. "Whatever comes, I would not say no," she says. "I would like to give that advice to everyone, that you just be open, you just do the best you can do. You do for the com- munity, you do for society. And the return comes later." J HER POWER OF PERSUASION HAS OFTEN PROVEN USEFUL—AND, ALONG WITH HER OPTIMISM, IT'S SOMETHING HER AMERICAN COLLEAGUES HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED.