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.

Yogyakarta, January 31, 2025 – The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held the Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Workshop (Workshop P2MKSA) on Friday, January 31, 2025. The event took place at the Auditorium Biologi Tropika from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM WIB and was attended by all lecturers of the Faculty of Biology UGM.

The workshop was officially opened by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs, along with Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM. After the opening ceremony, a group photo session was held to document the event.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., stated that the workshop aims to gather input from lecturers regarding the 2024–2028 Master Plan for Research and Community Service at the Faculty of Biology UGM. This plan will later be submitted to the Faculty Senate for approval. Additionally, in the afternoon session, the P2MKSA team would provide an overview of various research and community service grants offered by the faculty.
“I highly appreciate the role of young lecturers in drafting this Master Plan and other programs. They are the next generation who will lead the Faculty of Biology toward greater progress and innovation,” he added.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., emphasized that the Master Plan for Research and Community Service is crucial for supporting the faculty’s accreditation process, both for LAMSAMA and other accreditations.
“This Master Plan will be a strategic document that not only guides the faculty’s research and community service but also plays an important role in the accreditation process. With proper planning and the support of all lecturers, we can continuously improve the academic quality and contribution of the Faculty of Biology UGM, both nationally and internationally,” said Prof. Budi.

Discussion on the Master Plan for Research and Community Service

Jakarta, January 30, 2025 – Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., a researcher and lecturer from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has successfully secured a research grant from the Indonesia Toray Science Foundation (ITSF) under the Science and Technology Research Grant (STRG) category for 2025. This grant is awarded in recognition of his innovative research proposal focusing on yeast biotechnology development for sustainable lipid-based energy production from Rhodotorula glutinis.

Ganies is one of the 18 national recipients of the STRG-ITSF grant in 2025 with his research titled “Yeast Bioengineering for Sustainable Lipid-Based Energy Production from Rhodotorula glutinis“. This research aims to optimize the utilization of microorganisms for bioenergy production as an alternative renewable energy source. Through genetic engineering approaches, this project is expected to provide innovative solutions in reducing dependency on fossil fuels and support the transition towards a sustainable green economy.

This grant is part of ITSF’s commitment to supporting scientific and technological advancements in Indonesia, which has been ongoing for 31 years since its establishment by Toray Industries, Inc., Japan. “I feel deeply honored and grateful to receive this research grant. The support from ITSF will greatly aid the development of my research, particularly in promoting the utilization of microorganisms as a more environmentally friendly renewable energy source,” said Ganies Riza Aristya.

The 31st ITSF awards ceremony was held at Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta, on January 30, 2025. The event was attended by prominent figures, including ITSF Chairman Dr. Laksana Tri Handoko, Toray Industries, Inc. Chairman Akihiro Nikkaku, as well as representatives from the Indonesian government and leading academics.

This achievement further strengthens the role of UGM’s Faculty of Biology in driving research-based innovation to address global challenges, particularly in the fields of renewable energy and industrial biotechnology. The research contributes directly to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, by developing more sustainable and environmentally friendly bioenergy;
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, through biotechnological approaches for efficient utilization of biological resources;
• SDG 13: Climate Action, by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.

Yogyakarta, 22 January 2025 – Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) together with Western Sydney University (WSU) officially opened the International Summer Course (ISC) at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology UGM. This activity took place in two locations, at UGM, Yogyakarta on 21-23 January 2025 and continued in Tarakan, Kalimantan on 24 January – 8 February 2025.

The ISC opening event was attended by 16 WSU students, 6 UGM students, 3 WSU staff-lecturers, and UGM lecturers. The opening begins with a report from Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, Faculty of Biology UGM, who also acts as Chair of the International Summer Course Organizer. He revealed that this activity was a follow-up to the collaboration between UGM and WSU that had been established over the last few years.

In his speech, Prof. John Charles Hunt, WSU lecturer, hopes that this activity can continue and expand collaboration in the research and academic fields in the future. In line with that, Prof. Dr. Puji Astuti, Director of Partnerships and Global Relations at UGM, expressed her appreciation for this collaboration, and stated that this ISC is the second in January 2025 after collaboration with Monash University and the UGM Vocational School. Prof. Puji also appreciated the focus of the summer course which raised the issue of biodiversity and environmental sustainability as well as UGM’s role in supporting conservation in Kalimantan and Papua.

Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono also gave a speech and opened the event. He said that Yogyakarta is a special place with its rich culture and nature, and hopes that ISC participants can take advantage of the opportunity to explore various aspects during activities in Yogyakarta. Prof. Budi also emphasized that this ISC is the first in 2025, before the implementation of the regular ISC in July-August.

The event continued with a visit to the Biology Museum, Faculty of Biology UGM, guided by Donan Satria, M.Sc., Lecturer in Animal Systematics, Faculty of Biology. The participants were very enthusiastic in listening to explanations about the history, role and various collections in this museum.

Next, the participants carried out field activities at the Marine Research Station, Faculty of Biology, Porok Beach, Gunung Kidul. This activity includes intertidal sampling and observing biodiversity on the beach. The exploration was guided by Dr. Rury Eprilurahman who focuses on animals and Dr.Eng. Thoriq Teja Samudra regarding Macroalgae. Martin Holland, International Summer Course Coordinator from WSU, said that this field trip was a warm-up before the main summer course agenda in Tarakan, Kalimantan.

Through this ISC, it is hoped that collaboration between WSU and the Faculty of Biology UGM can become closer, opening up opportunities for further collaboration in the academic and research fields, as well as contributing to achieving Sustainable Development goals (SDGs). This activity is in line with SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which focus on biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, and international cooperation.

With this spirit of collaboration, it is hoped that similar activities can continue and strengthen relations between UGM and WSU, as well as support conservation and nature preservation efforts in Indonesia and globally.

Monday, January 23, 2025 – The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a workshop titled “Master Plan for Research and Community Service of the Faculty of Biology 2024-2028”. The event took place from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM WIB at the Auditorium Biologi Tropika, Faculty of Biology UGM.

The Microalgae Study Group, the Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), successfully conducted a Bioinformatics Workshop titled “Bioinformatics Approaches to Genomic Research: RNA-Seq and Genome Sequencing”. The workshop was held from December 10 to December 13, 2024, and was attended by 17 participants, including lecturers, students, and professionals.

The workshop’s featured Afif Pranaya Jati, S.P., M.Sc., a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Australia as main speaker. The event aimed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of bioinformatics techniques for analyzing genomic and transcriptomic data. Participants were introduced to advanced methodologies for RNA-Seq data analysis, genome sequencing, gene mining, and hands-on application of bioinformatics software tools.

The workshop was officially opened on Friday, December 10, 2024, by the Head of the Tropical Biology Department, Abdul Razaq Chasani, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology, UGM. The first day focused on theoretical aspects, including sampling techniques and sequencing quality control (QC), delivered by the primary speaker. Additional sessions included an online lecture by Matin Nuhamuda, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., a lecturer from the Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, UGM, on the topic “Genome Mining—From Data to Insight.”

On the second day, participants explored the basics of sequencing and its application to metagenomics. The third day covered an introduction to whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and the interpretation of resulting data. On the final day, participants focused on RNA sequencing and data interpretation. Practical sessions utilized data from the NCBI database and real-time data interpretation by participants. Analyses were performed using the Galaxy EU platform, a web-based bioinformatics data analysis tool from Europe that is freely accessible.

The workshop concluded with remarks from Prof. Endang Semiarti and Dr. Eng. Thoriq Teja Samudra. Prof. Endang highlighted the workshop’s critical role in enhancing bioinformatics analytical skills, which are increasingly in demand. She expressed hopes for similar activities to be conducted in the future.

This workshop aimed to expand participants’ knowledge of genomic research across diverse fields such as health, agriculture, and biotechnology. The event aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on Quality Education by fostering excellence in human resource development through education. It also served as an approach to studying the biodiversity of life forms, contributing to SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Yogyakarta, January 10, 2025 – The Department of Tropical Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted the Dissemination of Ph.D. Research by Faculty of Biology Lecturers event. Five lecturers from the Faculty of Biology presented their doctoral research findings and experiences during the event. The event began with opening remarks from the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., who emphasized the importance of the event in fostering a robust academic atmosphere within the Faculty. He expressed his hope that such activities would continue as a tradition to promote the development of a positive academic culture. This event aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).

The first session began with a presentation by Dr. Mukhlish Jamal Musa Holle, S.Si., M.Env.Sc., DPhil. on his research titled Tropical Agroecosystem Function in a Changing Environment. This was followed by Dr. Eng. Thoriq Teja Samudra, S.Si., M.Sc. discussion on Establishment of Buoyancy Control Technique for the Cyanobacterium microcystis and Application for Removal of Cyanobacterial Blooms. The session concluded with Dr. Rury Eprilurahman, S.Si., M.Sc. presentation, Systematics of Rice Frog of the Genus microhyla Tschudi, 1838 (Amphibia: Anura) in Indonesia.

The second session commenced with Tyas Ikhsan Himawan, S.Si., M.S., Ph.D. sharing his findings on Microbial Diversity, Metabolism, and Ecology in the Interfaces of the Deep-sea Anoxic Brine Pools in the Red Sea. The final presentation by Matin Nuhamunnada, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. was titled Advancing Natural Products Genome Mining through Large-Scale Data-Driven Approaches.

The event served as a platform for knowledge sharing, fostering collaboration among lecturers, introducing new perspectives, and sparking innovation for future research. It is hoped that this initiative will accelerate research progress and contribute to the development of science that benefits society.

The Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has once again demonstrated its leadership in the life sciences, securing the top ranking in molecular biology in Indonesia according to EduRank, a global platform that evaluates higher education institutions across various disciplines. This prestigious recognition highlights UGM’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, pioneering research, and impactful community engagement.

This achievement reflects the faculty’s expertise in biodiversity management and molecular biology, particularly through research-driven initiatives that emphasize the sustainable utilization of biological resources (Bio-Prospecting) and conservation efforts. By integrating molecular biology with environmental sustainability, UGM’s Faculty of Biology aims to establish itself as a pioneering institution at both national and international levels.

In response to the advancement in Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, highlights the increasing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the biological sciences. AI-driven technologies are expected to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of complex molecular data analyses, accelerating research outcomes and expanding scientific frontiers.

As a demonstration of this commitment, the Faculty of Biology UGM has established the Integrated Genome Factory (IGF)—a state-of-the-art facility designed to support advanced genomic research. This facility serves as a central hub for molecular biology studies, providing cutting-edge resources not only for UGM researchers but also for collaborative initiatives with institutions worldwide. The IGF is expected to facilitate interdisciplinary research, strengthen institutional partnerships, and drive innovation in genomic sciences.

“This achievement is the result of the dedicated efforts of our faculty members in conducting high-quality research and fostering academic collaborations, both nationally and internationally. Many of our research findings have been published in high-impact journals with strong citation indexes, further enhancing UGM’s scientific contributions on a global scale,” stated Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs.

Expressing his gratitude and pride, Dean Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., stated, “This achievement is the outcome of the collective hard work of the entire academic community at the Faculty of Biology UGM. We are committed to continuously improving the quality of education, research, and community service.” This commitment aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Through research focused on health and sustainability, the advancement of excellence in biological education, and the provision of innovative infrastructure such as IGF, the Faculty of Biology UGM plays a crucial role in generating a lasting positive impact on society.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – A team of students from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), comprising Muhammad Faris Khiar Calosa and Ridho Nur Alam, successfully secured a silver medal at the International Youth Summit 2024. The prestigious international essay competition took place on November 9-10, 2024, at Universiti Putera Malaysia, Malaysia, where hundreds of participants from various countries showcased their innovations across multiple categories.

The UGM Biology team competed in the Food category, presenting Boba Bean: An Innovative Instant Red Bean Beverage for Anemia Prevention Among Adolescents. This innovative idea captivated the international panel of judges through its creative approach, combining a science-based nutritional solution with current food trends popular among adolescents.
Through meticulous preparation and interdisciplinary collaboration with team members from the Faculties of Cultural Sciences, Engineering, and Pharmacy, the UGM team stood out among competitors, earning this prestigious recognition.

The Boba Bean offers an instant red bean-based beverage rich in plant-based iron and designed to appeal to younger generations who enjoy trendy beverages. By utilizing natural ingredients such as red beans, tapioca flour, and coconut sugar, this product provides a practical solution for increasing daily iron intake and preventing anemia, particularly among adolescent girls who face a high prevalence of this condition. Beyond its nutritional benefits, Boba Bean also excels in flavor and texture, aligning with the preferences of today’s youth.