Bangkok, Thailand – Dr. Luthfi Nurhidayat and Dr. Tri Rini Nuringtyas, lecturers from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), participated in The 2025 Asian Conference on Fish Models for Diseases, held on February 17–19, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand. This conference was attended by renowned scientists from various countries who use fish as model organisms in disease studies.

During the event, Dr. Luthfi Nurhidayat delivered a presentation titled “Indonesia’s Native Fish: From Aquaculture Towards Biomedical Research”. He highlighted the potential of the wader pari fish (Rasbora lateristriata), initially studied for aquaculture purposes, as a model organism in disease research. Dr. Luthfi emphasized that Indonesia possesses many natural compounds that have been characterized and have medicinal potential, yet their testing remains limited due to the constraints of using mice or rats as model organisms. The wader pari fish offers advantages such as a faster embryonic development compared to zebrafish, resilience to warm temperatures, and previous successful applications in testing natural compounds.

Meanwhile, Dr. Tri Rini Nuringtyas presented her research in a flash poster format, titled “Antidiabetic Potential of Gyrinops versteegii Agarwood Leaf Extract in Zebrafish Models”. She explained that her study demonstrated the antidiabetic potential of agarwood leaf extract, which was tested using zebrafish models.

The participation of the Faculty of Biology UGM lecturers in this conference is part of their efforts to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3: Good Health and Well-being. This engagement not only strengthens Indonesia’s role in fish-based biomedical research but also opens opportunities for collaboration with international scientists in advancing fish models for health research.

On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, students from SMPIT Muhammadiyah An Najah, Klaten, had the opportunity to study biology with a focus on histology and animal anatomy at the Laboratory of Animal Structure and Development, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). This activity was attended by 29 students, accompanied by four teachers. The event began with an opening speech by Dr. Ardaning Nuriliani, M.Kes, Head of the Laboratory.

During this activity, students had the chance to learn directly about the structure and function of animals. The learning process included a hands-on dissection of Nile tilapia, guided by the laboratory assistants, who are undergraduate and graduate students. In this lab. work, students learned how to dissect animal in accordance with animal welfare principles and studied the topography and anatomical structure of organs. They also observed histological slides of various organ types to gain a deeper understanding of the cellular and tissue components that make up an organ. At the end of the session, students visited the anatomy section of the Laboratory of Animal Structure and Development, where they observed preserved specimens of various animal species as well as skeletal structures. This activity is expected to enhance students’ practical skills and enrich their learning experience in biology while also supporting SDG 4 on quality education.

Furthermore, this initiative is also aimed at strengthening collaboration and the university’s role in supporting primary education from elementary to senior high school. By doing so, it contributes to the achievement of SDG 17, which focuses on partnerships for the goals.

Yogyakarta, 14 February 2025 – Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Faculty of Science, Leiden University, celebrate a decade of academic and research partnership which has had a major impact on the development of biological science. Prof. dr. Herman Spaink from the Faculty of Science Leiden University, visits Faculty of Biology to celebrates their collaboration together with the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. and Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. along with Dr. Luthfi Nur Hidayat, S.Sc., M.Sc., lecturer at of Faculty of Biology as well as alumnus of Leiden University.

Since the collaboration began in 2015, Faculty of Biology UGM and Leiden University have carried out various joint research projects, student and lecturer exchange programs, as well as international scientific publications. Ultimately, in September 2024, Faculty of Biology UGM and the Graduate School, Faculty of Science, Leiden University signed a Joint Doctoral Degree Agreement. This program allows students from both universities to earn a doctoral degree with guidance from experts at both institutions. This agreement confirms the commitment of both institutions to strengthening academic and research relations in the field of biology.

Apart from that, the two universities also collaborated in establishing the Zebrafish Research Facility. This facility is expected to become an international research center to support the development of research in the health and natural products potential from Indonesia. This collaboration is in line with UGM’s vision of developing superior research in the fields of biotechnology and public health.

With a decade of success under their belt, both institutions are committed to continuing to expand the impact of research and innovation at the global level while strengthening their role as centers of excellence for biological research. It is hoped that this collaboration will continue to produce collaborative programs, student exchanges, joint research and quality scientific publications, providing significant benefits to the academic community and wider society.

This collaboration also contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, SDG 4 (Quality Education) which supports access to quality education at the global level, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) where the development of research facilities and scientific innovation in the field of biotechnology supports the progress of research infrastructure at the international level, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) where collaboration between UGM and Leiden University reflects the importance of global partnerships in supporting research, innovation and academic development. Thus, this collaboration not only strengthens academic and research networks, but also contributes to achieving broader sustainable development goals.

Yogyakarta, 13 February 2024 – Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participated in discussions to initiate collaboration with University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. This discussion was led by the Secretary of the Directorate of Global Partnerships and Relations at UGM, Prof. Ir. Wiratni, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., IPM, and attended by delegates from various faculties at UGM, including the Faculty of Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MIPA), and Faculty of Agricultural Technology. The Faculty of Biology delegation was represented by Nur Indah Septriani, Ph.D., as Head of the International Affairs Office of the Faculty of Biology.

Ms. Neasa O’Connor, International Recruitment Manager College of Science, Engineering and Food Science UCC, conveyed the potential for collaboration between the UGM Faculty of Biology and the UCC School of Microbiology. On this occasion, UCC offers two master’s program schemes, regular and by research, as part of the initiation of a double degree program with the Biology Master’s program at UGM. Ms. Neasa highlighted the potential for double degree collaboration in the Master of Microbiome Science program, a new study program at UCC, as well as other master’s programs such as the Master in Bioinformatics and Master in Biotechnology and Industrial Sciences.

Nur Indah Septriani, Ph.D., expressed her appreciation and welcomed the initiation of collaboration with UCC. She mentioned that the Faculty of Biology UGM has established double degree collaborations with various world universities at undergraduate level through the International Undergraduate Program (IUP), as well as at master’s and doctoral levels. Apart from that, she also offers the potential for collaboration in annual international programs organized by the Faculty of Biology UGM, such as the International Summer Course (ISC) and the International Conference on Biological Science (ICBS).

This discussion is a strategic step in strengthening academic relations between the Faculty of Biology UGM and University College Cork, Ireland. The initiation of this collaboration is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4) which aims to improve access and quality of higher education through international academic collaboration. Apart from that, this collaboration also supports SDG 17, which emphasizes the importance of partnerships between educational institutions in creating a positive impact on the development of science and human resources at the global level.

Yogyakarta, 14 February 2025 – The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) received a visit from delegation from the University of Dundee, United Kingdom, in order to discuss the follow-up to academic cooperation between the two institutions. The University of Dundee delegation was represented by Dr. Christine Graham as Academic Regional Lead for South East Asia and Associate Dean for Student Recruitment and Global Partnership, School of Life Science. This visit took place in the KPTU Meeting Room, Faculty of Biology UGM and was also attended by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono (Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM), Dr. Eko Agus Suyono (Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs), Sukirno, Ph.D. (Head of the Undergraduate Study Program), and Matin Nuhamunada, Ph.D. (Secretary of the Office of International Affairs, Faculty of Biology, UGM).

Since 2024, the Faculty of Biology together with several other faculties at UGM have established double degree collaboration with the University of Dundee, especially in the biology master’s program through the School of Life Science. This program is supported by various scholarship schemes, including the LPDP scholarship by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia as well as various other scholarships offered by the University of Dundee.

During this visit, Dr. Graham further introduced the University of Dundee, especially the School of Life Science, by explaining various student activities, campus facilities, and research focused in the field of Cell and Molecular Biology. This session was followed by a presentation from Dr. Eko Agus Suyono who introduced the Faculty of Biology UGM to the University of Dundee delegation.

Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono welcomed this discussion and emphasized the commitment of the Faculty of Biology UGM in supporting international academic collaboration. He highlighted the high interest of students to continue their education abroad as well as the various scholarship opportunities available. Apart from that, Prof. Budi also mentioned that several students from the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) Faculty of Biology UGM are currently undergoing a double degree program at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom, and the Australian National University, Australia.

The discussion also included the potential for developing an Academic Validation Program, an inter-university curriculum validation program that allows students to obtain degree recognition from the University of Dundee without having to attend lectures directly. This program is expected to run continuously with the initiation of the 4+1 (Undergraduate-Master) scheme. In addition, Matin Nuhamunada, Ph.D. adding that the University of Dundee has the opportunity to participate in the Faculty of Biology UGM’s annual international agenda, such as the International Summer Course (ISC) and the International Conference on Biological Science (ICBS).

This visit is a strategic step in strengthening relations between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the University of Dundee. This follow-up discussion is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals which encourage increasing access and quality of higher education through international academic collaboration (SDG 4) and emphasizes the importance of synergy between educational institutions in creating a positive impact on the development of science and human resources at the global level (SDG 17).

On Friday, 14th of February 2025 at 1-1.30 PM, Gentalk 1 is held in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biology UGM. This program is targeted for all Formasigen members and Biology UGM students in general. Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., as Formasigen’s supervisor lecturer, also attended this program. Gentalk is an active discussion and sharing session between alumni or senior student and Formasigen’s member about the undergraduate thesis they are working on. In the first Gentalk of this year, there are 3 speakers, which are Azizah Tyas Nugrahanty, S.Si., Lucia Arum Sekar Meysari, S.Si., and Tiara Putria Judith. Azizah Tyas Nugrahanty, S.Si and Lucia Arum Sekar Meysari, S.Si. are master students in the Faculty of Biology UGM batch 2023, while Tiara Putria Judith is a master student in the Faculty of Biology UGM batch 2024, all under the supervision of Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. for their undergraduate thesis.

This program started with an opening from the Master of Ceremony, Andreas Wibisono, as a part of the Scientific Division of HomeoGenesis Cabinet, followed by an opening speech by Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. as the supervisor lecturer of Formasigen. In the speech, Mrs. Ganies express her hope for this program to be held more consistently and better so that this program can be a vessel for knowledge sharing and discussion for all Faculty of Biology’s students. The next activity is a presentation from all three speakers about “ Bioinformatics approach in genomic research : Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)” . This presentation contains the history of NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) which is a development from the previously known method, Sanger Sequencing. Unlike Sanger sequencing, NGS can detect the whole genome in a shorter time with high-throughput results. One of the applications for NGS is its usage for WGS (Whole Genome Sequencing). This presentation also introduced a website called usegalaxy as a free online platform for genome sequencing analysis. All participants are given a tutorial to access the website and follow instruction to analyse a sequence. After that, is the Q&A session followed by closing from the master of ceremony. With the success of the first Gentalk of this year, we hoped that this could be a good start to be a vessel for an interesting and beneficial discussion. We also hope that this program can give a better understanding about all the researches done by all the lecturers and their students in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biologi UGM. [Author: Formasigen]

Yogyakarta, February 13, 2024 – The Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully held a guest lecture titled “Exploring Genomics and the Role of Zebrafish as a Model Organism” on Thursday, February 13, 2024, at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology UGM. The guest lecture featured Prof. Dr. Herman Pieter Spaink, a Professor of Molecular Cell Biology from the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), Leiden University (LU), Netherlands. The session was moderated by Dr. Luthfi Nurhidayat, a lecturer in Animal Physiology at the Faculty of Biology UGM.

In his presentation, Prof. Herman highlighted the background of the zebrafish research collaboration between Leiden University and Faculty of Biology UGM, which has been ongoing since 2019. This collaboration was realized through the establishment of “Twin Labs UGM and LU”, a joint research facility dedicated to developing studies on bioactive components that contribute to health and nutrition.

Prof. Herman explained that zebrafish were chosen as the primary subject of this collaborative project due to their ease of cultivation and the significant genetic similarity they share with humans. Therefore, zebrafish serve as a model organism in health research to study various human diseases, including tuberculosis, diabetes, cancer, neurovascular diseases, immune disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Additionally, Prof. Herman elaborated on several ongoing and completed projects with UGM, such as the use of robotic injection systems on zebrafish embryos and sequencing of various local fish species in Indonesia. He emphasized that this collaboration is of high strategic value as it optimizes the utilization of Indonesia’s bioactive components by combining Leiden University’s expertise in zebrafish screening, which has resulted in over 200 scientific publications.

At the end of the session, Prof. Herman expressed his hope that the collaboration between UGM and Leiden University will continue and bring significant benefits to both universities and countries. With increasingly close synergy, it is expected that the research produced will make a substantial contribution to the development of global science and health.

Faculty of Biology UGM held Biology Open House and Introduction of Research Topics [BIOENTRI] 2025, an event that aims to introduce students to various research topics that can be an option in preparing a thesis, thesis, or dissertation. Through this activity, students have the opportunity to discuss directly with their supervisors according to their fields of expertise, so that they can gain a deeper understanding of the available research.

The event was officially opened on February 10, 2025 by the Dean of Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. The series of events continued with presentation sessions from lecturers in Room 1, Room 2, and Teaching Lab, as well as research poster exhibitions in the booths that have been provided. Through this forum, students are expected to find research topics that suit their interests and academic plans. BIOENTRI 2025 will run for four days, from February 10 to 13, 2025. This activity received high enthusiasm as evidenced by the presence of students from undergraduate to postgraduate levels.

With BIOENTRI 2025, Faculty of Biology UGM hopes to facilitate students in determining the direction of their research and strengthen the synergy between students and lecturers in the world of research.

BIOENTRI 2025 activities also directly contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG number 4 on Quality Education and have a positive impact on achieving various other SDG targets, including the protection of biodiversity, ecosystem restoration (13, 14, 15), and improving community welfare through innovations in biotechnology and natural resource management (9, 11, 13).

On January 31, 2025, a delegation from the Waste Management Task Force of the Faculty of Biology at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) met with the newly elected Mayor of Yogyakarta, Dr. Hasto Wardoyo, Sp.OG (K), to discuss potential collaborations for waste management in the city. The meeting took place in Meeting Room IV F at Sadewa Hospital, where both parties expressed their commitment to addressing the pressing waste management issues facing Yogyakarta.

The delegation from UGM included prominent figures such as Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, the Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, M.Sc., the Vice Dean for Finance and Human Resource, Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., the Head of the Task Force, and other members including Mr. Suharjita and Mr. Heru. The meeting aimed to explore collaborative efforts to enhance environmental sustainability and improve agricultural productivity through effective waste management strategies.

Mayor Hasto highlighted the alarming statistic that Yogyakarta generates approximately 300 tons of waste daily, necessitating serious management from upstream to downstream. He emphasized the importance of implementing clean technologies and innovative solutions to tackle this issue, which directly impacts food security and the overall health of the local ecosystem.

During the discussion, the Mayor introduced his vision for the “One Village One Sister University” and “One Village One Sister Company” programs. These initiatives aim to empower local communities by fostering partnerships with educational institutions and businesses to create sustainable waste management practices. The collaboration with UGM’s Faculty of Biology is expected to play a crucial role in this endeavor.

The UGM delegation proposed the application of various technological products, including probiotic solutions and organic fertilizers like BIOFERTI, which have been developed to address the challenges posed by organic waste. These products not only help in waste reduction but also enhance soil health and agricultural productivity, contributing to food security in the region.

The meeting also focused on the importance of ecosystem protection and the need for a comprehensive approach to waste management that considers environmental impacts. The UGM team emphasized the significance of educating the community about waste segregation and the benefits of using clean technologies in daily practices.

Both parties agreed on the necessity of conducting further research and pilot projects to assess the effectiveness of the proposed solutions. The collaboration aims to create a model for sustainable waste management that can be replicated in other cities facing similar challenges.

As the meeting concluded, Mayor Hasto expressed his gratitude for the UGM delegation’s commitment to environmental issues and their willingness to collaborate. He reiterated that effective waste management is not just a municipal responsibility but a collective effort that requires the involvement of all stakeholders, including academia, government, and the community.

The partnership between UGM’s Faculty of Biology and the Yogyakarta city government marks a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas related to environmental sustainability, food security, and community empowerment. The collaboration is expected to yield innovative solutions that will benefit both the city and its residents in the long run.

Yogyakarta, 3 February 2025 – The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has once again strengthened its international collaboration with the University of Leeds through online discussions to follow up on the initiation of a double degree program at master’s and doctoral levels between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the Faculty of Science, University of Leeds. In this meeting, the University of Leeds was represented by Ms. Premilla Kanaphaty, Director for South East Asia Global Engagement Team. Meanwhile, from the Faculty of Biology UGM, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs; Sukirno, Ph.D., Head of Undergraduate Study Program; and Matin Nuhamunada, M.Sc., Ph.D., Secretary of the Office of International Affairs, Faculty of Biology, UGM.

Collaboration between the UGM Faculty of Biology and the University of Leeds has been established since 2022 through an undergraduate double degree program. Until now, seven International Undergraduate Program (IUP) students at the Faculty of Biology UGM have undertaken double degree studies at the University of Leeds. Through this discussion, the two institutions discussed the possibility of expanding the program to higher levels, namely master’s and doctoral levels.

Ms. Premilla Kanaphaty said that the University of Leeds is open to the potential for further collaboration with UGM, especially the Faculty of Biology. She emphasized that the collaborative relationships that have been ongoing over the last few years can become a strong foundation for developing broader academic collaboration. Furthermore, this double degree master’s and doctoral program is planned to receive support from the Indonesian Government’s Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) scholarship.

This discussion is a strategic step in strengthening academic relations between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the University of Leeds. The initiation of this collaboration is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4) which aims to improve access and quality of higher education through international academic collaboration. Apart from that, this collaboration also supports SDG 17, which emphasizes the importance of partnerships between educational institutions in creating a positive impact on the development of science and human resources at the global level.