Dr Piangfan Naksukpaiboon is graduating today with a PhD in medicine from Queen’s University Belfast. 

Piangfan, originally from Thailand, is marking an extraordinary milestone graduating with a PhD specialising in colorectal cancer.  

Growing up autistic in a country where neurodivergent and disabled students are often isolated from mainstream education, Piangfan faced significant hurdles from the start. 

At a time, earning a degree seemed an insurmountable task, where she faced stereotypes from others who never believed an autistic child could complete school, not least pursue a doctorate.  

Piangfan says: 

“In Thailand, disabled and neurodivergent people are not very well integrated or supported in the education system.  

“I benefited from opportunities to study abroad. Without that, my story would have been very different.” 

Those opportunities came in the form of scholarships that led her across the globe: first to Norway, then the USA for undergraduate studies, followed by Master’s degrees in Thailand and the UK before embarking on a PhD at Queen’s University in 2018.  

Piangfan’s journey hasn’t been easy. Alongside the challenges of autism, she endured bullying, illness, and the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. But with every obstacle came further determination to succeed.   

Piangfan adds:  

“I’ve been stereotyped not just because of my autism, but also because of my race and sexuality. But I’ve always believed that with the right support and encouragement, anything is possible." 

Piangfan made history as the first autistic Thai student to receive EU funding to study in the UK. Faced with a major illness during their PhD, Piangfan took up archery and quickly became a national elite athlete. Since 2021, she has won over 50 medals, including at the ArcheryGB National Disability Championship, proudly supported by Queen’s University. She also won The Das Clark Trophy from The Worshipful Company of Fletcher’s Trust for being a disabled novice archer with potential and promise in 2023, something Piangfan is particularly proud of, citing work life balance as one of the biggest challenges for an atypical student.  

Piangfan has scooped up other awards outside of her sporting accolades including Dimension’s Autism and Learning Disability leader’s list in 2024 and this year she also received the Queen’s Students’ Union individual achievement award.  

Now a passionate disability advocate, Piangfan is using her voice to defy stereotypes and inspire others about what they can achieve given the right support.  Recently selected by the Thai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, a documentary is being made to tell Piangfan’s life story. 

Piangfan explains:  

“I want the film to show how my life might have been different if I had been supported from the beginning. Too many people were shocked that someone like me could be in higher education. That has to change. 

“Anything is possible with support. Every child deserves to be seen, heard, and believed in - regardless of ability." 

Piangfan is looking forward to pursuing a postdoctoral position at the University of Birmingham, where she will be reunited with her wife who she met during their Master’s degree.  

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