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When Prayath Nantasin (Xyooj Yaj), Ph.D., steps on the ice of Antarctica on December 17, 2016, he will make history as the first Hmong to not only step on Antarctica, but also to conduct scientific research there. His research project will last until February 26, 2017, when he and his team will leave Antarctica for Australia. Professor Prayath Nantasin will be listed as one of a few Thai scientists, who have conducted scientific study in Antarctica. In January 2014, two Thai female scientists from Chulalongkom University did conduct research in Antarctica, but they are not the first. H.R.H. Princess H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhom, the third child of King Bhumipol Adulyadej (1927-2016) and Queen Sirikit Kitiyakara, became the first, when she studied geography and living species on New Zealand's Scot Base in Antarctica from November 18 to 24, 1993.
His eight scientist team will be led by Yasuhito Osanai, a very well known Professor of Kyushu University in Japan. Their research project is funded by the National Institute of Polar Research, Japan (N1PR). Their research project is known as Japanese Arctic Research Expedition 58 (JARE 58). In addition to the eight scientists, the expedition will include 67 persons, who will perform various tasks to support the scientists on their research activities.
All members of the team are scheduled to be present at Fremantle, Perth, Australia by November 28-30, 2016. They will be on board the Shirase Ice Breaker on November 30, 2016. After a brief orientation, the team will depart Fremantle for Antarctica by December 2, 2016. Their vessel is scheduled to arrive at Antarctica around December 17,2016. They will conduct their respective research project until February 25, and then leave Antarctica the next day. They are expected to arrive on March 20, 2017 at Sydney, Australia.
Prof. Prayath Nantasin (Xiong Yang) is assigned to explore the high grade metamorphic rocks, or rocks that have been pressed under extreme temperature and pressure around 10-15 kbar and 500-900 C°. They hypothesize that These rocks are scientifically related to rock type found in Africa, Madagascar and Sri Lanka. If the predication is correct, then the conclusion can be made that Antarctica shares similar history with Africa, Madagascar and Sri Lanka. More importantly, data from this research...