Wachira has  received his Ph.D. at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.  He is studies included the following:  the systematics, ecology, status, and conservation of the gravely endangered, giant striped softshell Chitra chitra in the Mae Klong River system of Western Thailand.  He is also developing captive maintenance and propagation techniques which will be employed in order to replenish the badly depleted populations of this spectacular, endemic Thai species.

Chitra chitra  Photo by Wachira Kitimasak

    Photo below is of Wachira, Dr. Kumthorn Thirakhupt, Wachira's Co-Advisor and his son on a trip to Springfield, Missouri, USA in the summer of 2000.  Wachira is shown holding a common snapping turtle caught at the Missouri State University Ag Farm pond.

  From Left to Right:  Wachira Kitimasak, Dr. Kumthorn Thirakhupt and his son.

Chitra Chitra eggs   Photo by Wachira Kitimasak

Chitra Chitra hatchling Photo by Wachira Kitimasak

Chitra Chitra hatchling  Photo by Wachira Kitimasak

Wachira and adult Chitra chitra:  Photo by Don Moll

Dr. Moll and Wachira on his trip to the USA to work on his dissertation.     Photo by Chris Barnhart

Dr. Kumthorn Thirakhupt, Dr. Don Moll and Dr. Wachira Kitimasak in the Chulalongkorn University Turtle Lab, March 26, 2003.