TTUHSC School of Medicine Resident Making an Impact as Published Researcher

• By Mark Hendricks
• August 7, 2025
• Research

Pojsakorn Danpanichkul, M.D., became interested in medicine through his fascination with biology and physiology, especially gastrointestinal physiology. He was drawn to the idea of helping others through scientific knowledge, and the dedication he observed in the physicians in his home community in Thailand cemented that calling to pursue a career in medicine.

After earning his M.D. from Chiang Mai University in 2022, Danpanichkul came to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), where he is a first-year internal medicine resident. But he has made his most significant impact as a scientist.

In fact, during the current fiscal year, TTUHSC researchers have published 67 papers in high-impact journals, and Danpanichkul has contributed to 19 of them, including nine on which he served as first author. That includes a paper (“Global epidemiology of alcohol-related liver disease, liver cancer, and alcohol use disorder, 2000–2021”) that was published in April by Clinical and Molecular Hepatology (16.9 Impact Factor).

That study examines global trends in alcohol-related health conditions over two decades and highlights concerning trends, such as a faster rise in alcohol-related liver disease cases among women in recent years. These findings underscore the growing global burden of alcohol-related diseases and the urgent need for targeted public health interventions.

“In medical school, I used to assume that most medical questions had already been answered,” Danpanichkul said. “However, as I delved deeper into clinical care and academic research, I realized there were still numerous gaps in the evidence. That realization sparked my curiosity. I began to understand that unanswered questions, when explored through research, can translate into more impactful patient care.” 

Drew Payne, D.O., an associate professor in the School of Medicine and director of TTUHSC’s Internal Medicine Residency Program, said Danpanichkul carries a demanding clinical load that includes inpatient rounds, call responsibilities, didactic (lecture-based) conferences and working in an outpatient continuity clinic where he helps manage the same patients for an extended period of time.

“Like all TTUHSC internal medicine residents, Dr. Danpanichkul’s days are filled with managing complex patients, coordinating multidisciplinary care and continuously building clinical knowledge,” Payne said. “What sets him apart is his ability to excel in both patient care and research. He has an extraordinary work ethic and a rare gift for time management. He doesn’t just find time for research — he carves it out with intention and consistency. His contributions speak for themselves, and his TTUHSC Internal Medicine family is incredibly proud of him. We have no doubt he’ll continue to make a meaningful impact on the field of medicine.”

So how has Danpanichkul been able to achieve this incredible level of productivity while meeting the responsibilities of a resident? He said one key factor is having a well-organized academic environment.

“I work with a research team that helps streamline tasks, and I use productivity tools and scheduling systems to stay on track,” Danpanichkul said. “I also try to be intentional with my time, dedicating my off-hours to research while still staying fully-engaged with my clinical responsibilities. It’s a balance I continually work to refine.”

Mentorship, collaboration and consistency also are keys to Danpanichkul’s productivity. He said he’s been fortunate to receive support from mentors throughout his medical education journey, from his home institution in Thailand to TTUHSC and at institutions worldwide.

“I work closely with a strong research team that helps keep projects moving, even during busy clinical rotations,” Danpanichkul pointed out. “Ultimately, it’s my passion and personal commitment that drive me, paired with the support of outstanding mentors and teammates.”

Danpanichkul’s primary medical research interests lie in three interrelated areas: liver diseases, especially steatotic liver disease (fatty liver disease); gastrointestinal oncology and public health policy. He said these are all high-burden fields with critical knowledge gaps.

“I’m especially focused on using large-scale datasets to guide interventions,” Danpanichkul said. “I enjoy working at the intersection of clinical research and public health, collaborating not only with physicians and researchers, but also with policymakers to maximize real-world impact.”

Once he completes his residency, Danpanichkul hopes to combine a successful medical practice with impactful research. His long-term goal is to become a gastroenterologist who integrates outcome-based research with daily clinical care. 

“I believe research should inform how we treat patients, and at the same time, our work with patients should generate new research questions,” Danpanichkul explained. “This bidirectional approach helps ensure that both individual and population-level care benefits. I’m also deeply interested in public health policy: not just improving outcomes one patient at a time, but influencing broader change that affects entire communities.”

When he is able to find time away from the classroom and lab, Danpanichkul still prioritizes staying active, usually by running, lifting weights or going to the gym. He also enjoys cooking and often experiments with new recipes.

“Music is another passion of mine; I particularly enjoy jazz and pop,” Danpanichkul added. “In quieter moments, I like reading non-fiction books, especially those that focus on science, history or personal development.”

Although his journey is in its early stages, Danpanichkul sent a heartfelt thank you to the mentors, collaborators and patients who thus far have inspired and supported that journey.

“I hope this story can help encourage others, whether they’re pursuing clinical care, research or both,” Danpanichkul said. “Lastly, I’d like to express my gratitude to TTUHSC for supporting me both academically and professionally in my training and research efforts.