I am grateful to a large number of people and organizations who have directly and indirectly helped me to date, without whose support, my career as I know it would not have been possible. Thanks to my good friends and fellow biologists in the Department of Biological Sciences at TRU (formerly UCC), for their support, encouragement, and friendship here. Thanks to the Canadian caver communities and all of my collaborators for assisting me with my research. Also thanks to my good friends and faculty at the Department of Biology, Chiang Mai University for always being there for me. Many thanks to my former professors Dr. Tomita Fusao and Dr. Saisamorn Lumyong for their mentoring. Special thanks to Dr. Yuthana Samitasiri who inspired me to strive to be the best teacher I can be.  

I am also indebted to a number of organizations. Without the support of the Thai DPST, Thai Government, Monbusho, the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science, and the Thai-Australia Assistance Program, I would not have had wonderful opportunities.

I would also like to extend a very heartfelt thank-you to three inspiring mentors, Dr. Julian Davies (Microbiology and Immunology, UBC), late Drs. Neil Towers and Robert Bandoni in the Department of Botany, UBC for sharing their passions and passing on the enthusiasm and for their continual support and encouragement in my career in Canada. 

Zillions of thanks to my friends in Japan, Thailand and Canada for their support. There are too many of you to name, but you know who you are! Continuous thanks to my family for their unconditional love and understanding when I left Thailand (twice!).

Special thanks to my husband, Joe Dobson, and Ryder Cheeptham Dobson, my son, for their great support and for always being here. I could have not done this without their love and understanding.  Joe and Ryder, you are my rocks!!

Last but not least, thanks to all my students – you are what teaching is about – past, present, and future. You continue to make this an enjoyable and rewarding profession!  

Naowarat Cheeptham (Ann)