Kotimah, an undergraduate student from the 2022 cohort of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), secured a remarkable achievement by winning first place in the Essay Competition held during Cendekia Days 2024, organized by UGM’s Cendekia Teknika. Khotimah collaborated with Rahayu Murti Ayuningtyas from the 2022 cohort of the Faculty of Engineering in the ”Biochem” team.

The Cendekia Days Essay Competition is an annual event aiming to promote critical thinking and innovation among students. The 2024 competition carried the theme: “Digital Native, Green Activists: Synergy for a Better Planet.” Participants could choose from sub-themes including energy and the environment, food security, technology and digitalization, creative industries, education, and sustainable development. The event seeks to broaden students’ knowledge in science and technology, foster innovative attitudes, and cultivate their roles as agents of change in advancing green technology for a sustainable future.

The competition, including registration and essay submission, took place from September 21 to October 12, 2024. The finalists were announced on October 26, 2024, with the top eight teams advancing to the final presentation stage on November 10, 2024, followed by the awarding ceremony on November 16, 2024. Among 152 submissions, Team Biochem achieved the highest score during the initial essay evaluation. Team Biochem successfully maintained its leading position and was ultimately awarded First Place.

The Biochem team’s essay focused on the energy and environment sub-theme, presenting their innovative concept of a Sustainable Electric Nanogenerator (SENG). SENG is a groundbreaking green energy solution designed to convert wasted mechanical energy into electricity. The innovation addresses critical environmental challenges, particularly those arising from the hydrodesulfurization process in petroleum refining, which poses significant risks of releasing hazardous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into ecosystems. These substances are associated with severe health risks, including cancer, immune system damage, and miscarriages.

The SENG innovation is polymer-based and sulfur-rich, offering three key advantages: economic feasibility, sustainability, and environmentally friendly performance. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential for transformative contributions in renewable energy technologies, aligning with global efforts to address pressing environmental issues.

Yogyakarta – Kotimah, an undergraduate student from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has once again achieved a remarkable achievement by securing Second Place in the Biology Scientific Writing Competition. The event was themed “Enhancing the Role of Students in Building a Golden Indonesia 2045 through the Synergy of Culture, Innovative Education, and Ethics to Shape a Quality and Integrity-Driven Young Generation.” with sub-themes that aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The competition, including registration and essay submission, took place from August 12 to September 25, 2024. The finalists were announced on October 10, 2024, with the top 3 essays advancing to the final presentation stage and awards ceremony on October 17, 2024, at Universitas Siliwangi in Tasikmalaya.

Kotimah’s essays address the global issue of plastic waste, particularly non-biodegradable polyethylene, which constitutes 35% of annual plastic production. With approximately half of all plastic products being single-use items, polyethylene waste contributes significantly to environmental degradation. Its natural decomposition can take over 500 years, during which microplastics form, disrupting ecosystems and accumulating in organisms. Current disposal methods, such as incineration and chemical degradation, often release toxic substances and require costly catalysts, further complicating the issue.

To tackle this challenge, Kotimah developed a novel approach utilizing lipase enzymes from microorganisms to biodegrade polyethylene. These lipase enzymes, sourced from the anaerobic bacterium Pelosinus fermentans, demonstrated the capability to initiate polyethylene biodegradation.

This environmentally friendly solution presents numerous benefits, such as the ability to be mass-produced using renewable resources while remaining non-toxic, effective, and sustainable. By utilizing biological methods, Kotimah’s innovation provides a viable alternative for addressing the environmental challenges posed by plastic waste.

The Kaohsiung International Invention and Design Expo (KIDE) 2024 serves as a prestigious platform for researchers to present and compete their innovations at the international level. Organized by the World Invention Intellectual Property Association (WIIPA) and the Taiwan Invention Products Promotion Association (TIPPA), KIDE 2024 took place from December 5-7, 2024, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The competition featured 447 innovations from participants representing 31 countries.

The principle “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work” aptly describes the success achieved by two UGM Biology Master’s students, Syefrina Rosyada and Yessy Ratna Siwie, along with their interdisciplinary teammates Alan Mulana K. (Faculty of Engineering) and Sunardi (Faculty of Agriculture). Their collaboration resulted in a silver medal at KIDE 2024 for their groundbreaking innovation, the SEATTER (Seawater Converter).

The SEATTER project was inspired by the clean water crisis faced by residents of Jerowaru District in East Lombok Regency. The area experiences low annual rainfall and high sunlight intensity, which forces local communities to purchase clean water for daily needs. Addressing this challenge, the team developed SEATTER, a solar-powered desalination technology that converts seawater into clean, usable water. This innovation provides a sustainable solution for coastal communities struggling with clean water scarcity.

The SEATTER technology directly contributes to Indonesia’s efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. This innovation enhances clean water access for underserved coastal areas.

This remarkable achievement underscores the Faculty of Biology’s commitment to nurturing student potential and encouraging excellence at the international level. It is hoped that this success will inspire other students and young Indonesians to continue innovating, creating, and making meaningful contributions to science and global society.

The Faculty of Biology of Gadjah Mada University student team consisting of Feny Nur Nucfera (Biology 2021), Allya Heni Pramesti (Biology 2021), and Cindy Adisty Rudi Ananda Putri (Biology 2021) achieved 3rd Runner Up in the essay competition at the International Biology Competition (MIBC) 2024. International Biology Competition (MIBC) 2024 is a global scientific competition organized by the biology master program of UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang from October 8 to December 1, 2024. This global scientific competition was attended by more than 100 teams of both undergraduate (S1) and master (S2) students nationally and internationally. The competition with the theme “Innovative Scientific Solutions for Sustainable Development” aims to foster the interest of the younger generation in the field of research and scientific writing. The competition encourages students to develop skills in research, analysis, and scientific writing by utilizing technological advances to support sustainable development in accordance with the goals of Indonesia Emas 2045.

With a background in biology, the UGM Biology Student Team used a Biotechnology approach in their scientific paper entitled “GenPlast Solver: Genetic Engineering for PETase Gene Insertion in Lactobacillus sp. as a Smart Solution to the Plastic Waste Problem”. The background of this work is the increasing global plastic waste problem with global plastic production reaching 400 million tons per year and Indonesia being the second largest contributor to plastic waste in the world. Only 9% of plastic waste is successfully recycled. Current plastic waste management methods such as incineration and recycling have constraints, namely technology and public awareness. Plastic waste has a negative impact on human health and ecosystems. Therefore, it is necessary to develop environmentally friendly biotechnology-based innovations to address the global plastic waste problem.

One of the innovations raised by the team is the GenPlast Solver culture starter based on genetic engineering to tackle plastic waste efficiently. This idea explores the potential of genetic engineering techniques by inserting the PETase gene from Ideonella sakainensis into gram-positive bacteria Lactobacillus sp. as a solution to degrade plastic waste. The PETase enzyme derived from Ideonella sakaiensis showed much higher activity in degrading PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic compared to other enzymes. This makes it a promising candidate for bioremediation efforts. However, the growth of Ideonella sakaiensis has a negative impact on the environment. Lactobacillus compared to Ideonella sakainensis has the advantages of resistance to high salinity and adaptability to environmental pH, making it more suitable for direct application in ecosystems. The engineering process includes isolation of PETase gene, cloning into expression vector, transformation into Lactobacillus sp. and optimization of gene expression. The final product is a genetically modified Lactobacillus sp. starter culture that can be applied in the treatment of plastic waste in industries and landfills. This innovation offers a sustainable green technology approach (SDGs 3, 4 & 12), supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (SDGs 13), and creates new economic opportunities through the production of GenPlast Solver-based starter cultures (SDGs 8). [Author: Feny Nur Nucfera]

The Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) iGEM 2024 team has once again achieved remarkable success at the Bioinformatics and Synthetic Biology (BIOS) 2024 competition, organized by Synbio.id. Competing virtually from August to December 2024, two of UGM’s leading teams Phytovac and Gamanthrax brought home an impressive array of accolades, including Best Presentation, Best Website, Best Poster, the prestigious Gold Medal, and the ultimate Grand Prize.

The UGM iGEM team consists of 19 interdisciplinary students, including eight talented members from the Faculty of Biology: Anandita Amalia Dewi (2021), Salma Rohmaniah (2021), Erwinda Dwi Chofifah (2022), Tan Rendy (2022), Angga Firza Pratama (2023), Geraldine Yara Amritasahmi (2023), Nauval Rajwaa Raysendria (2023), and Tsaqifa Zuhayra Emery Bagus (2023). The synergy among students from diverse academic backgrounds was key to the team’s success, fostering creativity and innovation to address real-world societal challenges.

Under the guidance of Dr. Yekti Asih Purwestri, M.Si., the UGM iGEM team adopted molecular farming as an innovative approach to develop therapeutic solutions for pressing health issues in Indonesia. Team Phytovac, led by Farrel Alfaza Marsetyo (Faculty of Medicine, 2021), introduced a project titled “Immunoinformatics Design of Virus-Like Particle-linked Dengue Vaccine for Expression in Nicotiana benthamiana System”, targeting the prevalent issue of dengue fever. Team Gamanthrax, led by Fahmi Ihsanuddin Jauhari (Faculty of Pharmacy, 2021), presented a project titled “In Silico Design of Plant-Based Anthrax Vaccine using Recombinant DNA Method”, focusing on the development of a plant-based anthrax vaccine.

Both projects successfully leveraged computational modeling and mathematical simulation technologies to design plant-based vaccines—groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology.
The BIOS 2024 competition featured a rigorous selection process, beginning with abstract submissions, proposal videos, website showcases, posters, and presentation videos from August 24 to November 10, 2024. Both UGM teams advanced to the final round on November 29, 2024, where they engaged in interactive judging sessions.

The journey culminated in the Grand Final on November 30, 2024, where Phytovac emerged as a grand finalist alongside two other top teams. In the final round, the teams presented their projects to judges and audiences. The competition’s pinnacle was marked by the Awarding Ceremony on December 1, 2024, where both Phytovac and Gamanthrax were crowned champions, earning multiple prestigious awards.

This outstanding achievement highlights the competitive excellence of UGM’s Faculty of Biology students on the national stage. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, relentless hard work, and a passion for innovation, the UGM iGEM team has proven that science and technology hold the key to driving sustainable and positive societal change.

Banjarmasin, November 27, 2024 – The Green Edge Lubricants team claimed first place in the Call for Business Idea category at the Greenovation 2024 organized by Bank Indonesia of South Kalimantan. The event drew over 400 participants, including innovative startups, industry experts, and academics. Green Edge Lubricants captured the judges’ attention with their groundbreaking eco-friendly lubricant derived from palm oil, outshining intense competition.

The team comprised Soen Eliora Valerie Natania (Biology), Dania Husna Huwaida (Chemical Engineering), and Khabib Abdul Aziz (Chemical Engineering). Soen Eliora focused on the product’s sustainability, emphasizing environmental compatibility, biodegradability of raw materials, and potential impacts on wastewater. Dania Husna Huwaida led the lubricant formulation, optimizing material composition for optimum performance. Meanwhile, Khabib Abdul Aziz designed an efficient production system, tailoring industrial-scale processes to ensure the product’s readiness for real-world implementation.

This innovative lubricant is tailored for cold rolling steel and metal stamping processes, which traditionally rely on expensive and environmentally harmful mineral oil-based lubricants. By incorporating biodegradable materials like oleic acid and synthetic esters, the lubricant reduces water consumption during cleaning processes by over 50%. Additionally, it offers superior lubricity, extending the tool’s lifespan while minimizing the environmental impact of wastewater.

“Biology is often perceived as unrelated to the industrial sector, but we aim to demonstrate its pivotal role in sustainability. My responsibility was to ensure that this product is not only efficient but also environmentally friendly, aligning with circular economy principles,” explained Soen Eliora.

Dania Husna Huwaida added, “Creating this lubricant faces unique challenges. It needed to meet high-performance standards while remaining cost-effective and easy to manufacture. Palm oil is the ideal raw material to achieve these goals.”

“Our focus was to design an adaptive, efficient production system to ensure the product’s readiness for industrial-scale application, meeting the demands of Indonesia’s market,” said Khabib Abdul Aziz.

The Greenovation 2024 participants have to present their innovative ideas and defend their concepts before a panel of industry experts, academics, and Bank Indonesia representatives. Teams were required to demonstrate both the economic and environmental impact of their products, tackling detailed technical questions.

“Every team presented great ideas, making the competition extremely fierce. We worked hard to highlight the technical strengths and sustainability of our innovation,” said Khabib.
With this victory, Green Edge Lubricants opens the door to further product development and potential collaborations with industry partners. Their lubricant is expected to drive a significant impact on Indonesia’s metal industry while contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.

The Greenovation 2024 competition underscored the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in developing impactful solutions. Green Edge Lubricants has proven that sustainability is not just a necessity but also an opportunity to build a more efficient, environmentally friendly future for industry.

Yogyakarta, November 29, 2024 – The Mine-Eye Gama team from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) secured second place in the Business Challenge Track of the Astranauts 2024 competition, organized by PT ASTRA DIGITAL on June 7, 2024. Competing against over 2,400 registered teams, Mine-Eye Gama stood out as one of the top seven finalists thanks to their innovative UAV drone and 3D LiDAR-based technology designed for real-time mining monitoring efficiency.

The team comprised Daniel Imanuel Manafe, Himawan Wicaksono, Stephanus Kevin Andika Rata (Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology, 2022), Menliman Joyfal Gulo (Cartography and Remote Sensing, 2022), Sabila Hestuning (Management, 2023), and Soen Eliora Valerie Natania (Biology, 2023). Guided by mentor Jans Hendry, S.T., M.Eng., the team leveraged their multidisciplinary expertise to develop a comprehensive solution. Their system, built on a private broadband network, optimizes geospatial data acquisition in dynamic mining environments.

A Solution to Mining Monitoring Challenges
Representing the team, Daniel Imanuel Manafe explained that rapidly changing mining topographies often pose significant challenges to maintaining safety standards and productivity. “Traditional methods like terrestrial surveys are precise but inefficient for highly dynamic areas. Our system leverages UAV drones and 3D LiDAR to overcome these limitations,” he stated.
The technology enables real-time data acquisition using a private broadband-based control and transmission system. The vast data collected is processed and delivered to a specially designed Ground Control Station. This solution significantly reduces data collection and analysis time, providing operational advantages for the mining industry.

Collaboration and Valuable Experiences
For team member Eliora, a Biology student, participating in the competition was challenging and enlightening. “This competition was an invaluable experience. I hope more students expand beyond their comfort zones and expertise. That’s where the greatest opportunities can emerge,” she shared.

In addition to winning second place, the Mine-Eye Gama team gained access to numerous opportunities, including mentorship from industry experts, collaboration prospects with the Astra Group, and the chance to present their ideas to venture capitalists. Furthermore, the team will join the Astra Innovation Lab, a continuation program to develop innovative ideas and solutions in collaboration with top industry professionals.

“This competition has been a significant milestone for our team. We hope this innovation will make a tangible impact in the mining industry, particularly in enhancing efficiency and safety,” Daniel concluded.

On November 14–17, 2024, the Asian Ornithological Conference (AOC) was held in Beijing, China, bringing together 528 delegates from 39 countries (505 from Asia and 23 from outside Asia). Attendees represented 76 universities, 37 research institutions, and 28 exhibitors, sponsors, and event supporters. This quadrennial conference, previously held virtually in Zhuhai, China, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to foster academic exchange across Asia, promote ornithological research and conservation, and enhance the international status and influence of Asian ornithological organizations.

The vibrant conference was supported by the International Ornithology Union (IOU) and organized by the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the International Zoological Society, China Ornithological Society, and the journal Avian Research. Over four days, the event facilitated knowledge-sharing on bird-related research across participating countries through plenary talks, symposia, and poster presentations.

Key conference highlights included:

• Plenary Talks: Eight speakers, including Indonesia’s Prof. Dr. Dewi M. Prawiradilaga from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
• Keynote Talks: Four speakers, with Indonesia represented by Mohammad Irham, M.Sc. (BRIN).
• Youth Talks: Three speakers from various countries.
• Symposia: 26 sessions with 190 delegates, including Indonesia’s Dr. Anik Budhi Dharmayanthi and Yohanna Dalimunthe, M.Si. (BRIN), Prof. Pramana Yuda (Universitas Atmajaya Yogyakarta), and Dwi Agustina (UGM graduate student and Program Coordinator at the Indonesian Cockatoo Conservation Association, KKI).

The conference also featured a bazaar of research tools and equipment, showcasing products from leading companies in China and beyond.

• Dudi Nandika received the First Prize Poster Award for his poster, “Recent Data Analysis on Feeding Guilds of Bird Communities as Bioindicators for the Management of Manusela National Park, Maluku.”
• Dwi Agustina earned the First Prize Presentation Award for her oral presentation, “Aligning Cockatoo Conservation Efforts with Local Huaulu Customary Wisdom on Seram Island, Maluku, Indonesia.”