Key Staff

Mr. Kuon Chantha

- Managing Director/Operations Director

Mr. Chantha Kuon is the Managing Director/Operations Director for RDS. With 30+ years working in research, he is one of the most experienced researchers in Cambodia. Chantha has worked at all levels of the whole research process, spanning from design to reporting. He has extensive experience working closely with both private Market Research and Social Research clients to plan and implement large field operations. He was also trained by AIDSMARK based in US at Population Services International (PSI) in Bangkok on qualitative study as Trainer of Trainee (ToT) for Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interview (KII).

Mr. Ouk Mengneang

- Project Manager

Mr. Mengneang is the Project Manager at Realtime based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. With more than 17 years of experience in managing fieldwork and QC in Market and Social Research exclusively in Cambodia, Mengeang has expertise in implementing a large variety of research fieldwork and quality control for a diverse clients with local and international research agencies. Mengeang is involved in all Realtime’s research projects. Mengeang holds the BBA in Business Administration from Human Resource University.

Mr. Ith Hunly

- Research Manager

Mr. Ith Hunly, Research Manager
Ith Hunly completed his Master’s degree in Educational Administration at the Hiroshima University in Japan, where he was initially equipped with research skills ranging from quantitative to qualitative techniques. Mr. Hunly has been a freelancer for more than ten years. He has developed solid expertise on key aspects related to human capital development, higher education, and education and economic growth.
He has recently been involved in policies pertaining to science, technology, and innovation (STI). Prior to this, Mr. Hunly was an English-language teacher at public secondary school from 2002 to 2011. He was affiliated with the Department of Higher Education from 2011 to 2021. He also had years of experience lecturing at various universities in Cambodia, namely Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia, University of Puthisastra, Limkokwing University, Western University, and to name a few.
Over the last ten years, he has acquired in-depth knowledge of higher education system in the country and consulted for international organizations such as the World Bank and UNESCO, at which he was engaged in policy research and analysis, community development, graduate labor market, and education technology. He recently co-authored UNESCO PEER Policy Review “Technology and Education” and a regional research paper, of which title is “UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2023: A Country Case Study on Technology and Education in Cambodia,” which is coming in November 2023. He also authored a national policy guideline titled “Talent Grant-In: A Policy Guideline for Cambodia.” He was qualitative data analyst in KOICA and World Vision’s project “Peace Village Building.” A a research manager at Real-Time Data (RDS) Co., Ltd., he leads development projects with some roles like developing research tools (FGDs, KIIs, & IDIs), transcribing and analyzing data, and writing research reports.

Ms. Sam Sysoma

- Research Executive

Ms. Sam Sysoma is a versatile and accomplished research professional with a strong academic foundation and diverse work experiences. Holding a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia, Sysoma has developed robust research skills and a nuanced understanding of complex social phenomena.

Currently serving as a Freelance Qualitative Researcher locally and previously worked at CamEd Business School as a Librarian and Research Support Assistant for Academic and Educational research purposes, Sysoma demonstrates exceptional organizational and time-management abilities. She plays a crucial role in supporting a range of research projects, enhancing library procedures, and ensuring seamless access to research resources.

Sysoma's prior experiences include research roles at the European University Institute and various NGOs in Cambodia, where he honed her expertise in qualitative research, data analysis, and research coordination. She has a proven track record of managing research activities, designing research tools, and collaborating effectively with stakeholders.

Key Highlights:
- Extensive experience in qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviews, focus groups, and field observations
- Proven ability to analyze complex data, identify patterns, and synthesize findings into actionable recommendations
- Skilled project manager, adept at coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives, managing budgets, and delivering timely results
- Effective communicator with a passion for knowledge dissemination, as demonstrated by her experience as a Teaching Assistant

Throughout her career, Sysoma has consistently displayed a strong dedication to excellence, a resilient mindset, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. her comprehensive skill set, deep subject matter expertise, and commitment to data integrity make him a valuable asset to any research-driven organization.

Dr. Pahlaj Moolio

- Technical Advisor

Dr. Pahlaj Moolio is a Technical Advisor, working experience since 2002 in Cambodia, and associated countries in the region. Based on his analytical skills and practical experience in working with academic institutions and national/international non-government development organizations for the last 20 years, he has been engaged in conducting academic as well as policy-oriented development research projects and provided consultancy services for the projects funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank Group (WBG), European Union (EU), The Asia Foundation, UNDP, SIDA, SPIDER Research Programme-Stockholm University, Bread for the World (Brot fur die Welt), JICA-Research Institute, and Mercy Malaysia, count a few. In addition, he has been providing capacity building training workshops on econometric applications using MS Excel, E-views, and SPSS for social and economic research development analysis. His ongoing research interests in the field of migration earned him a Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)-funded regional research project (2016–2017) under the SHAPE-SEA Research Program, which involved research in five countries in the ASEAN region

Dr. Khim Keovathanak

- BEd, MPH, PhD Technical Advisor

Dr Khim Keovathanak (Dr. Vathanak for short) is a monitoring and evaluation expert, with over 20 years of experience in social and health development. He is specialized in monitoring, evaluation and learning, capacity development, and strategic planning in social and health sectors. He’s also familiar with market research and product development, having supported market research for and development of health and pharmaceutical products. He recently finished his 5-year term with the DFAT-funded ACCESS program as MEL Manager. Previously he held senior management positions at a number of international organisations, i.e. UNFPA, Population Services International, RACHA, and as Head of Public Health Department of University of Health Sciences, Cambodia. He held a post-doctoral research fellowship at McGill University, Canada in the research and development of an mHealth product for quality improvement in newborn care. He is an experienced trainer and lecturer, having supported capacity development to public sector officials and service providers under the MOH, MoWA and MoSVY, and taught graduate courses, in areas such as health financing, health service administration, health program evaluation and community health. He graduated with a PhD in 2014 in health system and community health from University of Melbourne in Australia, with a Master of Public Health in 2001 from New York University, USA, and his Bachelor of Education in 1997 at Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is an experienced social and market researcher, with extensive research experience in areas of health impact, HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, equity of access and healthcare utilization. His experience in market research includes product pricing and development, mapping and distribution, to improve access to, uptake of and customers’ satisfaction with health/pharmaceutical products (condom brands, malaria testing kit, female condom, birth spacing pill brands, STD-treatment package), and media products.

Dr. Young Sokphea

- Technical Advisor

Dr. Young Sokphea is now a Post-doctoral researcher at University College London, United Kingdom. He earned his PhD in Politics and Public Policy from the University of Melbourne in 2017, his MSc in Regional Development Planning from Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand in 2010, and his BSc in Economics & Development
from the Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia, in 2006.
Dr. Sokphea has got 17 years of experience of programme monitoring and evaluation obtained from missions and assignments connected with all aspects of programme cycle management, including identification, designing, and monitoring and evaluation, for UN bodies and international development agencies He has more than 8 years of experience in education, academic research, and teaching with more than 20 academic publications on public policies; stakeholder dialogues and engagement, civil society and grassroots communities; and human rights in Southeast Asia. He also has extensive experience working with developing countries’ national governments, local and international NGOs, international development agencies and banks: UN, UNDP, ADB, IFC, World Bank, UK DFID, EU, DFAT, and other private consulting firms. He has got high level of research competence and writing, computer literate MS Office and website development and maintenance.

Mr. Uy Sareth

- Lead Researcher

Mr. Uy Sareth, who has Competent in quantitative and qualitative research methodology including questionnaire development, pilot survey, structured and in‐depth interview, focus group discussion, observation checklist, participant/non‐participant observation, data analysis, monitoring and evaluation and report writing. He also has experienced in research formulation and evaluation, survey and report writing in the qualitative and quantitative on climate change, civic engagement, resource management, community development, malaria, diarrhea, Acute Respiratory Infection, Avian Influenza, AH1N1, and HIV. He is competent in the collaboration and partnership building across multi stakeholders working on the social work, care reform and marginalized groups in Cambodia. Sareth has competent in project management, in gender, violence, and marginalized groups, in natural resource management, and irrigation system construction. He also has experienced in proposal development, concept note, and project design, development of the textbook and glossary of research terminologies, and in monitoring and evaluation. He has experienced in the promoting, examining, and analyzing the traffic accident and impacts on the socioeconomic of households and traffic law enforcement, on the sociological analysis of the road safety in Cambodia on historical, cultural and political aspects.

Dr. Theam Rottanak

- Technical Advisor

Dr. Theam Rottanak, Technical Advisor
Dr. Theam Rottanak is a Cambodian public management reform specialist with a PhD in Public Administration from the University of Sydney, Australia in 2015, an MBA in Finance and Management from the University of Akron, Ohio (USA) in 2004, and two Bachelor’s degrees in 2001– one in Business Management from National University of Management and another one in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Royal University of Phnom Penh.
Dr. Rottanak currently teaches Human Resource Management in the Public Sector at Royal Academy of Cambodia on a part-time basis. He was a lecturer in public policy and planning in a Master’s Program at the National University of Management in Phnom Penh. He was previously a senior lecturer at Royal University of Phnom Penh – teaching International Business English in the Bachelor of Arts Program (2001-2019), and Public Financial Management classes in Master of Development Studies and Master of Education Programs (2008-2015).
He has been part of several development programs providing technical assistance and research to the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), including conducting functional reviews and analyses since 2005. From 2007-2010, he was Program Office for DANIDA working on Merit Based Performance Incentive Program (MBPI) with Ministry of Land Management, and Fisheries and Forestry Administrations.

Dr Md Jamirul Haque

- Research Manager

Dr Md Jamirul Haque, from Nepal received a PhD degree in Management from Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, China. He earned MBA in Human Resource Management from King’s College affiliated with International American University Los Angeles, California. He is a Research Manager at RDS.
Currently, Dr Jamirul is serving as an Assistant Professor at Pannasastra University of Cambodia and also a reviewer of the Journal of Business Ethics (Impact factor 6.331), Springer Nature, Switzerland. Before joining Pannasastra University, Dr Jamirul was serving as an Assistant Dean of the R&D department at LSi Business School, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He has published several research articles, which have been published in the world’s reputed journals and participated in many conferences. He has travelled to India, China, Italy, Germany, France, Netherlands and Switzerland for conferences, workshops and seminars. Dr Jamirul is now working as a Research manager, specifically dealing with Surveys and quantitative and qualitative data analysis.He has advanced knowledge of different kinds of statistical software for data analysis such as SPSS, Smart PLS and AMOS. His research focuses on workforce diversity management, leadership, organizational behaviour, HRM, emotional intelligence, artificial intelligence etc.

Ms. Chenda Kuon

- Project Manager

Chenda is the Project Manager at RDS based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. With more than 12 years of experience in managing fieldwork in Market and Social Research exclusively in Cambodia. She has expertise in implementing a large variety of research fieldwork and quality control for a diverse clients with local and international research agencies. Chenda is involved in all RDS’s research projects.
Chenda holds the BBA in Accounting from Cambodian Mekong University.

Mr. Pisal Chhorn

- Data Manager

Mr. Chhorn Pisal is the Data Analysis (DA) Manager at RDS based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He has more than 27 years of experience in managing data entry and data cleaning using SPSS and other software. He has expertise in managing data for large scale projects. He works closely with our Project Manager, Operations Director and programmers on our projects.
He holds a BBA in Economics from Royal University of Law and Economics.

Ms. Davy Chem

- Moderator/Fieldwork Manager

Ms. Chem Davy is the Moderator at RDS based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. With more than 10 years of experience in managing fieldwork in Market and Social Research exclusively in Cambodia. Davy has expertise in implementing a large variety of research fieldwork with RDS. She is also a Moderator for Focus Group Discussions, In-depth interviews and key informant interviews. Davy is involved in all RDS’s research projects in fieldwork implementation.
Davy holds the BBA in Accounting & Finance from University of Management and Economics (UME).

Mr. John Sarat

- Moderator/QC Manager

Mr. John Sarat is the Fieldwork Manager at RDS based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. With more than 12 years of experience in managing fieldwork and QC in Market and Social Research exclusively in Cambodia, Sarat has expertise in implementing a large variety of research fieldwork with RDS. He is also a Moderator for Focus Group Discussions, In-depth interviews and key informant interviews. Sarat is involved in all RDS’s research projects in QC implementation.
Sarat holds the BBA in Marketing

Ms. Dany Kuon

- QC

Ms. Dany is the QC Supervisor at RDS based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. With more than 9 years of experience in managing fieldwork and QC in Market and Social Research exclusively in Cambodia. Dany has expertise in implementing a large variety of research fieldwork with RDS. She is also a Moderator for Focus Group Discussions, In-depth interviews and key informant interviews. Dany is involved in all RDS’s research projects in QC implementation.
Dany holds the Associate Degree of Khmer and English Literature.

Ms. Sokvanny Yin

- Fieldwork Supervisor/Moderator

Ms. Yin SokVanny is the Fieldwork Supervisors at RDS based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. With more than 9 years of experience in managing fieldwork in Market and Social Research exclusively in Cambodia. Vanny has expertise in implementing a large variety of research fieldwork and quality control for a diverse clients with local and international research agencies. Vanny is involved in all RDS’s research projects.
Vanny holds bachelor degree of Accounting at Royal University of Law and Economics.

Mr. Ouch Yinsovanny

- Translator/Interpreter

Mr. Yin Sovanny is a professional translator/interpreter (English-Khmer-English) with over 8 years of experience. He has joined RDS since 2022. He has worked with many Organizations and Ministries of Cambodia. Organizations such as UNICEF, UNDP, USAID and the Cambodian Ministries such as the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and also the Ministry of National Defense.
He has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.