Yogyakarta, Indonesia – July 31, 2023
The Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continued to foster knowledge exchange and exploration of cutting-edge topics by successfully hosting the fourth lecture series as part of the 6th International Summer Course on Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development. The virtual event, held on Monday, July 31, 2023, proved to be an enriching experience for the 52 online participants in attendance.
This fourth lecture series revolved around the theme Sustainability and Bioprospecting of Microalgae featuring two distinguished speakers who illuminated the audience with their expertise and insights. In the first session, Dr. Yoshimasa Amano from Chiba University shared his groundbreaking research on “Control of Microcystis Buoyancy Using Colony Formation.” Dr. Amano’s presentation shed light on the fascinating mechanisms behind microcystis colony formation and its implications for controlling harmful algal blooms, which pose challenges to aquatic ecosystems worldwide.
The second session was delivered by Mr. Enrico Guanino from Euglena Company, Japan, who presented on the revolutionary topic of “Microalgae Biorefinery for Sustainable Development.” Mr. Enrico Guanino’s talk delved into the promising potential of microalgae as a sustainable resource for biorefinery applications. Participants were enlightened about the ecological benefits of microalgae cultivation, and its versatile applications in producing valuable bio-based products that contribute to sustainable development.
The session was expertly moderated by Tia Erfiyanti, a PMDSU student at the Faculty of Biology, UGM. Tia’s adept moderation enriched the discussions and provided valuable context to the audience.
“We are delighted to witness the remarkable engagement in the fourth lecture series of our 6th International Summer Course on Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development,” said Dr. Nur Indah Septriani, The Chairwoman of the Summer Course. “The topics of microalgae biorefinery and microcystis buoyancy control are of immense importance in the pursuit of sustainable development. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Mr. Enrico Guanino and Dr. Yoshimasa Amano for sharing their expertise and valuable insights, as well as to all the participants for their active involvement.”
The 6th International Summer Course on Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development continues to provide a platform for global collaboration and knowledge dissemination, fostering innovative solutions to address pressing environmental challenges.