Krysada Panusith Phounsiri


Krysada Panusith Phounsiri is a Lao-American artist and engineer based in San Diego, California.

Family life

He emigrated to America with his family in 1989 from Hoyaxai, Bokeo, Laos. He is nicknamed "Binly" in many circles. He grew up in San Diego, California. He obtained his United States citizenship in November, 2009.

Education

Krysada Panusith Phounsiri attended Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, California. He graduated from University of California, Berkeley in 2010 with a Physics & Astrophysics Double Major with a Minor in Poetry.

Writing and dance

His work has been featured in the Journal of Southeast Asian American Education and Advancement, Little Laos on the Prairie, the Twin Cities Daily Planet, Asian American Press, and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center’s “A Day In The Life Of Asian America” digital exhibit.
Krysada Panusith Phounsiri's debut collection of poetry “Dance Among Elephants,” was published by Sahtu Press in 2015. It is a collection of poetry and photography that explored the challenge of identity politics, ideology, and the music of relationships between families and communities rebuilding their lives. It was released during the 40th anniversary of the Lao Diaspora that began with the end of the Laotian Secret War in 1975.
He pushes his passion for dancing, mainly the Hip Hop Street Dance known as Breaking, by traveling to various regions of the world to compete in competitions and teach workshops. He is also involved in developing the Snap Pilots Photography Project; a venture he and a friend created.

Professional life and community service

Krysada Panusith Phounsiri volunteers regularly with the Laotian American community, particularly in Southern California and for national organizations such as Laotian American National Alliance.

Awards and recognition