Biology undergraduate students at Gadjah Mada University made another achievement at the national level by winning 3rd place in the National Scientific Writing Competition. This achievement was achieved by students Susy Wijayanti and Umi Salamah from Biology Class of 2018 under the guidance of Dr. Ardaning Nuriliani, S. Si., M. Kes. This competition is a competition held by the University of North Sumatra with the theme “Gen Z Innovation and Strategy in the Environmentally Friendly Living Movement”. This activity aims to be a forum for channeling student creations & innovations for a healthy generation.

This final activity took place on November 25 2022 online at the University of North Sumatra which was attended by students from universities throughout Indonesia. This competition was carried out in four stages, which were abstract submission, assessment of scientific papers, announcement of the top 10, and the culmination of which was the presentation of the paper in front of the judges.

In this competition the team raised the title “Phytoremediation of Domestic, Industrial and Agricultural Liquid Waste by Photobioreactor-Based Microalgae”. According to the team, the idea was motivated by the high increase in global population, industrialization, and economic progress which had an impact on increasing waste and decreasing water quality. This prompted the team to conduct research to find an efficient method of managing this waste. One of the biological agents that can act as a natural bioremediator for managing waste is microalgae. Hence, the waste becomes safer for the environment.

Team preparation was carried out a week before the online presentation activities by preparing presentation materials and materials. The team regularly practices so that they are able to provide clear and firm explanations of the papers being presented. The team was able to convey ideas and answer all the jury’s questions straightforwardly. They said that this was none other than the result of the team’s hard work and the support of all parties.

With this competition, they really hope to be able to provide encouragement and support for students who are interested in the field of scientific work to convey their best ideas through their intelligence in thinking. In addition, the team also hopes that through this competition it can bring and make the Faculty of Biology and Gadjah Mada University proud in the future.

The Faculty of Biology is participating in the UGM Team for the Development of Collaboration with Partners in Australia which starts on 28 November to 1 December 2022. The UGM team, which was led directly by the Chancellor and consisted of the Secretary to the Chancellor, the Director of KUI along with the Head of the Office of International Cooperation and the Head of the Office of Quality Assurance, also included the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM (Prof. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D.) and WD P2MKSA (Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc.) along with the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (Prof. Selo), Dean of FMIPA (Prof. Kuwat Triyana) and WD AKM FMIPA (Prof. Roto) and Dean of the UGM Vocational School ( Dr. Ir. Agus Maryono).

The plan to develop cooperation with partners in the Australian region is based on various considerations to strengthen and follow up various discussions related to increasing the output of cooperation in the field of tridharma with partners in Australia in Sydney and Melbourne, namely The University of New South Wales (UNSW), University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Western Sydney University (WSU), The University of Melbourne (UniMelb) and Monash University.

On the fourth day of their visit (Thursday, 1 December 2022) to Monash University, the UGM delegation was welcomed by Professor Rebekah Brown (Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Senior Vice-President), Mr Paul Sabo (Director, Research Engagement and Impact, Office of DVC (Research) Engineering), Professor Scott Tyo (Head of Department, Electrical & Computer Systems Engineering), Professor Hai Vu (Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Engineering), and Ms Shameera Salahudeen (Senior Project Coordinator, Office of DVC (Global Engagement).

UGM – Monash has collaborated since 2005 with various output activities such as staff & student mobility and research collaboration. UGM is the organizing partner for the Monash University Global Immersion Guarantee (GIG) activity in November 2022 with 64 Monash University students participating.

On this occasion the Faculty of Biology plans to send its students to take part in the IISMA (Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards) Program at the Faculty of Science, Monash University which will begin its implementation in 2023. Besides that, opportunities to take part in International Exposé include student exchange and mobility for students and lecturers and opportunities for research collaboration in the field of climate change and the environment.

On Wednesday, 30 November 2022 to 4 December 2022, the 35th National Student Science Week (PIMNAS) was held. The implementation of the 35th year PIMNAS is carried out offline with strict health protocols that take place at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), East Java. PIMNAS is the culmination of a series of Student Creativity Program (PKM) activities that will be held from June to September 2022. Through this program, the PKM Biology Team chaired by Eri Dwi Suyanti (Biology 2020) with members Siti Mudrikah (Biology 2020), Nafatia Zulfa (Pharmacy 2020), Muhammad Fityatul Haq (Biology 2020), and Sabrina Novia Ramadani (Pharmacy 2020) are under assisted by Lisna Hidayati, S.Si. M. Biotech. carried out a research entitled “Induction of Apoptosis of Chitosan Nanoparticles Alkaloid Fraction of Tapak Dara Leaves (Catharanthus roseus L.) against MCF-7 Breast Cancer Linear Cells.”

Cases of breast cancer are one of the highest causes of death in the world. Until 2020, an estimated 2.3 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer and as many as 6 million died from breast cancer. Common treatments that are often performed on breast cancer patients such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, generally cause many side effects, hence alternative uses of safer anticancer agents are needed. This prompted the PKM Biology Team to conduct a research to search for anticancer agents from potential natural ingredients that could be used in alternative treatments for breast cancer with minimal side effects compared to anticancer drugs made from chemicals.

From these problems, the PKM Biology Team studied alkaloid compounds in Tapak Dara Leaves (Catharanthus roseus L.) which have antitumor activity and have the potential to induce apoptosis of cancer cells. The alkaloid compounds from tapak dara leaves are then combined with chitosan nanoparticle technology to increase drug efficacy in reaching targeted areas thereby increasing the effectiveness of alkaloid compounds in targeting cancer cells. This research won 2nd place or a silver equivalent award in the PKM-RE 1 presentation class at the closing of PIMNAS 35. In the future, the PKM Biology Team hopes that research development related to anti-cancer agents from other natural ingredients with a combination of nanoparticles will continue to be developed in order to find alternative breast cancer treatments that are more effective and with minimal side effects.

The Laboratory of Plant Structure and Development of the Faculty of Biology UGM has carried out community service activities in the form of socializing the introduction of microscopes and plant anatomical structures, especially the derivatives of the epidermis of stomata and trichomes at Pusmalang Elementary State School, Wukirsari, Cangkringan, Kab. Sleman, D.I. Yogyakarta. This activity was carried out on October 10, 2022 with 21 grade 5 students. This community service activity from this lab is different from the previous year, when previous schools visited the laboratory but this year the laboratory staff made direct visits to schools.

The community service activity team was directly led by the head of the laboratory, Dr. Maryani, M.Sc. with lecturers in the lab which are Dra. Siti Susanti, S.U., Utaminingsih, S.Sc., M.Sc., Novita Yustinadiar, S.Sc., M.Sc., and Dr. Wiko Arif Wibowo, S.Si. The preparation of tools and materials was carried out by laboratory assistants which are Prapti and Via Erti Asdiantika, A.Md. The lab service team was welcomed by Tri Harsono, S.Pd. as the principal of Pusmalang Elementary State School and Utami Saraswati, S.Pd. as the homeroom teacher for Class 5. In his remarks, Tri Harsono, S.Pd. expressed his gratitude for the visit and service activities carried out and hoped that on the next occasion Pusmalang State Elementary School students could visit the Faculty of Biology UGM.

The service activity began with the opening and remarks from the principal of Pusmalang Elementary State School, followed by remarks and introduction from Dr. Maryani, M.Sc. and continued with a brief lecture by Novita Yustinadiar, S.Si., M.Sc. The socialization and introduction of the microscope along with the structure of the epidermis derivatives received high enthusiasm from the students. The enthusiasm and joy of students participating in these activities can be seen from the curiosity of students when they see and observe structures that so far cannot be seen with the naked eye. students are given the opportunity to look directly at the microscope regarding the structure of stomata on corn leaves (Zea mays L.), trichomes on durian leaves (Durio zibethinus L.), the cell structure of the inner layer of shallot bulbs (Allium cepa fa ascalonicum) and the flow of cytoplasm from leaves Hydrilla verticillata. All of these samples are commonly found in everyday life and are well known to students, however through a microscope it is hoped that students can see the other side of structures that so far have never been imagined and observed directly. At the end of the session, students were also taught and asked to prepare their own samples to be viewed directly under a microscope.

Dr. Maryani, M.Sc. as the coordinator of this service team at the close of the socialization and introduction activities invited students to study even more actively in pursuit of dreams and aspirations. Students are also asked to continue to have curiosity in order to be enthusiastic in studying. This activity was closed with a group photo of Pusmalang Elementary School students.

The community service program in Klayar Hamlet, Kedung Poh Village, Gunung Kidul Regency is one of the Independent Learning Community Service programs for the Faculty of Biology in 2021. This activity is a follow-up program from the first period of service program in 2020, which is the production and application of biofertilizers for cayenne pepper commodities. The second period carries the theme of developing organic chrysanthemum cultivation as a form of enrichment for tourist spots in Klayar Ecotourism and as a basic ingredient for food diversification in the form of chrysanthemum tea and chrysanthemum leaf chips.

The Tourism Village itself provides various facilities such as an outbound arena, camping grounds, fishing grounds and beautified restaurants as well as gazebos around it. Judging from this potential, this location was chosen as a partner village for the development of tourist spots and the use of chrysanthemum as a basic food ingredient, especially for tourist souvenirs.

The Community Service Team has provided socialization on Thursday, 2 July 2022 in Klayar Hamlet with the target of the Klayar Village Women Farmers Group. The socialization activity was carried out for approximately 2 hours from 10.00-12.00 WIB. During the socialization, the team provided procedures for cultivating organic chrysanthemums and making tea and chrysanthemum leaf chips. Members of the Women Farmers group were also taught about how to make and apply biofertilizers to chrysanthemum plants.

The Klayar Village Women’s Farmers Group gained high enthusiasm during the socialization. They were given the opportunity to get to know examples of processed chrysanthemum products such as chrysanthemum flower tea and chrysanthemum leaf chips so that these plants are no longer known as mere picking flowers with artificial value. This group was also given the opportunity to brew and taste tea made from chrysanthemums and the various benefits provided by consuming this preparation. Chrysanthemum was chosen as a plant used for the development of tourist spots and food diversification because it has a fairly high economic value. Through this program, chrysanthemums are not only known for their aesthetic aspects, but also substantially for their therapeutic and medicinal values. The development of the chrysanthemum plant itself aims to expand its potential apart from the aesthetic side, such as processed food with high economic value and nutrition. Chrysanthemum leaves and flowers have great potential to be processed into other snacks such as candy, chips and instant drinks.

In addition to introducing the potential of chrysanthemum, during the socialization KWT Klayar members were invited to get to know the benefits of biofertilizers in plants. Farmer census data in 2013 from the Central Statistics Agency states that 86.41 percent of Indonesian farmers still use inorganic fertilizers. This organic chrysanthemum cultivation targets commodities to have better quality and strong competition in the market hence special treatment is needed. The addition of biofertilizer is intended to increase soil fertility, increase plant productivity, increase plant growth and development, and also increase plant health. Organic chrysanthemum plants with good quality are safer to be processed as food because in organic chrysanthemum there is no accumulation of harmful chemicals. Besides that, it can also increase the economic value of chrysanthemum plants. Furthermore, the Head of the Independent Learning Community Service Faculty of Biology Team to Hamlet Klayar stated that biofertilizer is present in the midst of marginal farmers to reduce their production costs as well as improve agricultural land.

The Gadjah Mada University Thalassemia Research Group, which is a collaboration between the Faculty of Biology, the Faculty of Public Health Medicine and Nursing, the Faculty of Psychology, and the UGM Integrated Research and Testing Laboratory, is holding blood drives, educational seminars and thalassemia screening, which is a joint activity with PT. Astra Daihatsu through CSR programs. Blood Donation and Thalassemia Education Seminar is the first agenda of a series of activities.This activity was held on Saturday 17 December 2022 at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology UGM with resource persons dr. Alexandra W.S Pangarso M.Sc., Sp.A. from the Dept. Pediatric Health Sciences FKKMK UGM/ Dr. Sardjito Hospital and Moderator dr. Nur Imma Fatimah Harahap, Ph.D. from the Dept. Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine FK-KMK UGM. Blood donation was held with the help of facilities from Red Cross Indonesia Sleman Regency. The Coordinator who is also Chair of the UGM Thalassemia Research Group, Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc. stated that UGM students, lecturers and staff, Astra Daihatsu employees and the general public, even students from other universities, such as UNY; UIN Sunan Kalijaga, STPN Yogyakarta participated in the blood donation.

The Regional Head of the Astra Daihatsu Central Java Area, Mr. Ferry, in his remarks said that Daihatsu Astra has committed to supporting programs that benefit the community in five areas which are health, education, environment, entrepreneurship and technology, and has provided support to the thalassemia program over 11 years. This remarks received a response from the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr Sc. In his remarks the Dean provided support and appreciation to Astra Daihatsu which has a Thalassemia Care Program. He hopes that the synergy of companies such as Astra Daihatsu with educational institutions, such as UGM, will continue to be improved to provide wider benefits to society.

One series of activities in this program is the thalassemia screening which will be held at the Clinical Pathology Laboratory of FKKMK UGM on 19-21 December 2022. Screening participants consisted of UGM lecturers, staff and students, high school students, prospective brides and grooms, employees of Astra Daihatsu Yogyakarta and the general public. Screening activities need to be carried out because it is the main strategy in preventing the increase in the number of people with diseases caused by genetic disorders. Screening aims to find out whether the subject is a carrier or not, hence if the subject is detected as a carrier, education can be given regarding the risks of marrying to another carrier. Thalassemia is one of the monogenic diseases with the highest prevalence in Indonesia and is the fifth largest BPJS expense after heart disease, cancer, stroke and kidney failure. The latest data in 2021 showed that there were 10,973 thalassemia patients in Indonesia.

Therefore, in 2022 through the UGM Chancellor’s Decree No. 788/UN1.P.II/KPT/HUKOR/2022 has been officially established by the UGM Thalassemia Research Group. The Research Group is expected to become a center of excellence and become a national reference in thalassemia diagnostics. One of the goals of this research group is to try to build a national collaboration network, and also to initiate a collective movement between research institutions, regional governments, and also the central government in realizing the National Program for Compulsory Thalassemia Screening.

The Faculty of Biology UGM held Research Day 2022. Through this event, the results of collaborative research from lecturers, partners and students in the fields of research and community service are exhibited in the form of posters. A total of 43 research posters and 16 community service posters were exhibited in this activity. The research day lasts for two days, which was on Tuesday until Wednesday (20-21 December 2022). This activity was carried out in Lecture Rooms 1 and 2 Building B, Faculty of Biology UGM.

On the first day the activity starts at 09.00 WIB. This activity begins with the registration of participants. The activity continued with the opening of the event by Faya Nur Annisa Damantya, A.Md. sec. and Asrindon, S.Kom as the MC. The opening of Research Day 2022 was conducted by Ignatius Susatyo Wijoyo, M.M. as UGM Deputy Chancellor for Research, Business Development, and Cooperation. In his remarks he said that good research is research that can be published and applied to society. Through the dissemination, it was hoped that these activities will become a stimulus to be able to conduct even better research in the coming year. In this activity, Biotimbre and traditional dance performances were also enlivened by students of the Faculty of Biology UGM. This activity continued with a tour, research evaluation, and community service posters by lecturers, students and exhibition visitors until 15.00 WIB. The assessment is carried out based on the appearance of the poster and the completeness of the information on the poster including the name of the researcher, the activities that have been carried out and the names of the partners.

On the second day, exhibition activities started at 09.00-13.45 WIB. The activity was continued with remarks as well as closing by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. as Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni of the Faculty of Biology UGM. He explained that the Faculty of Biology had succeeded in increasing the amount of research and community service from year to year. This year, the ratio of lecturers who publish their publication is 1: 1.2, which means that each lecturer has produced more than 1 publication this year. The activity continued with the announcement of the best poster and awarding of prizes. Research poster category won by Dr. Dwi Sendi Priyono, S.Si., M.Sc., Drs. Hari Purwanto, M.P, Ph.D., and Dr. Tri Rini Nuringtyas, S.Si., M.Sc. while the community service posters category won by Dr. Dwi Sendi Priyono, S.Sc., M.Sc., Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc., and Drs. Ign. Sudaryadi, M. Kes. This activity ended at 14.50 WIB. Through this event, it is hoped that it can provide new enthusiasm for lecturers and students in developing various research and applications in the field of biology, hence they can have a positive impact on the surrounding communities.

The Gama Wader Team from the Faculty of Biology conducted a Community Service Program socialization in the Imogiri district, Bantul Regency. This activity was held on Friday 29 July 2022. In this activity, the Gama Wader Team socialized about wader fish cultivation to the local community. The Gama Wader Team departed from the Faculty of Biology at 1.00 p.m and arrived at the location at 2.09 p.m.

The first activity took place at 02.15 p.m. which is the opening by the 2022 Community Service Program committee team. The committee team explained about Gama Wader and continued with a brief explanation about wader fish. At 02.16 p.m. the Gama Wader team introduced themselves and delivered material about wader ray fish farming to the public.

The second activity took place at 02.32 p.m. the team demonstrated the spawning of wader ray fish farming to the community and explained the procedure in detail and some important matters when carrying out weather ray fish cultivation. The community response to this activity was quite enthusiastic, some people tried to select fish based on the sex by gently massaging the abdomen.

At 02.52 p.m. the third activity was held which was a question and answer session. One of the people asked about the action or treatments given to the broodstock after spawning and how many times spawning was carried out. The questions that have been asked by the community are then answered by the team where the spawning activity is carried out once every 2 weeks and for the after treatment, the broodstock must be separated immediately hence the broodstock does not eat the eggs.

At 02.54 p.m. the fourth activity was carried out which was handing over a set of the cultivation tools to the community by the Community Service Program committee followed by a group photo session. At 02.58 p.m the moderator from the program closed the event.

 

“Alumni are one of the partners for the development and innovation of education and learning. Until now, the Faculty of Biology UGM has more than 7,000 alumni who are active all over the country and around the world,” said Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc in his remarks at the inauguration of the DIY KORWIL KABIOGAMA. To gather alumni who are scattered in various regions in Indonesia, the Gadjah Mada Biology Alumni Family or what is called as KABIOGAMA was formed. “The KABIOGAMA regional committees that have been formed include KORWIL Lampung, Semarang, Purwokerto, and, Solo, Bali, East Kalimantan, and JABODETABEK,” said Ario S. Setiadi, Ph.D., CPM, DipM. ACIM as Chairman of the KABIOGAMA. The initiation for the formation of KORWIL DIY has been carried out since January 2018. The inauguration of the management of the KABIOGAMA KORWIL DIY for the 2022-2027 service period was held at the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University and was attended by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc as Vice Dean of P2MKSA, Ario S. Setiadi, Ph.D., CPM, DipM. ACIM., Drs. Heri Susanto, M.Sc. as Secretary General of the KABIOGAMA, Dr. RR. Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, M.Kes, as the Central Executive Secretary of KABIOGAMA, and the management of KABIOGAMA KORWIL DIY.

The management structure of KABIOGAMA KORWIL DIY and its surroundings for the next five years, namely 1. Drs. Eddy Setiabudi, M.S. (Adviser 1): Bio ’77, 2. Dra. Hj. Yundaru Nurantini (Adviser 2): Bio ’81, 3. Dra. Evy Yuliati Rufaida, M.Si. (Adviser 3): Bio ’77, 4. Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Chairman): Bio ’99, 5. Dwi Umi Siswanti, S.Si., M.Sc. (Vice Chair): Bio ’95, 6. Eka Sulistiyowati, S.Si., M.A. (Treasurer): Bio ’99, 7. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Secretary): Bio 2002, and 8. Ardyan Pramudya Kurniawan, S.Si., M.Si (KABIOGAMA Program Coordinator): Bio 2003.

In his remarks after the inauguration, Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. expressed his gratitude to the management of the Faculty and Central Management of KABIOGAMA, as well as colleagues from KABIOGAMA KORWIL DIY. It is hoped that KORWIL DIY administrators could work together with the Faculty of Biology UGM and the KABIOGAMA to be able to carry out programs that benefit alumni and younger students. “Congratulations on the inauguration of the management of the Kabiogama Korwil D.I. Yogyakarta 2022-2027. Hopefully it will be a trust in advancing KABIOGAMA,” said the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. after the inauguration (SHP).

Mutiara Wahyu Nirmalasari is undergraduate student in Faculty of Biology year 2020. This semester, she’s experiencing study abroad to Korea University through IISMA (Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards) program. It was unexpected for her to be selected to joining the program, but still she was excited and honored.

“Study abroad does open up your horizon about society and how to improve as a student,” she explained.

Mutiara chose a university in South Korea because she’s already interested in its culture since a long time ago so she didn’t need to face culture shock when study abroad. Besides, Korea University has the reputation as the top 3 university in South Korea, and it offers although in the end she couldn’t enroll in the classes she expected. At Korea University, Mutiara took 4 courses: Intermediate Korean 1, Marketing Management, New Media Cinema, and Media Technology.

Studying courses outside biological topics must be difficult, like the terms and basic insights that used in the courses. But Mutiara enjoyed the courses and adapted well since those are general courses. She makes sure herself read the “required reading” from the professor before classes so she can understand the lectures. She also had high curiosity of the courses she took, like searching the unique marketing campaign for Marketing Management course from YouTube, practicing Korean with ahjussi and ahjumma while groceries shopping, and explore surroundings.

Although Mutiara took courses which are not linear to biology, in fact she met biology related topic in her courses. One of the films discussed in class New Media Cinema entitle Gattaca (1997), about genetic engineering, the ethical value and how the future society face the genetic engineering. Besides, the courses she took can be applied to biological field, such as biological innovation product marketing and integration in biological information on digital media.

After finishing IISMA program, Mutiara will be focusing on graduating since there are some mandatory courses that she still has to take. But if she’s given the opportunity, she wants to continue about biotech abroad while trying to create easy and short content since she learned a lot about media here.

“I’m more than happy to go since I haven’t experienced that through my IISMA journey.” (MWN/AS)