Three Master’s students in Biology, collectively known as Team Chaetomorpretty guided by Dr. med.vet. Hendry TSSG Saragih, MP, have clinched top honors in the national essay competition, Nusantara Writing Festival 2023. Led by Indah Nur Fauziah along with Anggi Rehulina Sitepu & Olvita Mayani they secured the 1st place, Gold Medal in the Health Essay category, along with the Best Video award and also grand championship.The event was organized by the Nusantaramuda Prima Equality Institution and STMIK Pradnya Paramita Malang with the themed “Innovation and Creativity for a Better Indonesia,” encompassed eight fields/sub-themes, including agriculture, health, education, environment, food, technology, social economic law, as well as tourism and culture.

Nusantara Writing Festival (NWF) 2023 not only brought forth fierce competition but also provided an opportunity for participants to share knowledge and innovations that can be applied in society. Team Chaetomorpretty focused on the health sub-theme, addressing the topic of arabinogalactan polysaccharides from the marine macroalgae Chaetomorpha linum, which hold potential as prebiotics and gut health modulators for pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders. They highlight the cases of digestive system disorders and anomalies in Indonesian children, known as pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders (PFGID). These disorders can significantly impact a child’s quality of life, however there has not been much research and study about PFGID yet. One strategy for managing digestive system health, especially in children, is through the consumption of prebiotics. One such type of prebiotic with potential is arabinogalactan, found in certain macroalgae. Chaetomorpha linum, an abundantly available macroalgae species, stands out for its ability to thrive in extreme environmental conditions, rapid growth rate, and year-round availability (perennial). These physiological characteristics give Chaetomorpha linum a potential for widespread utilization. The supplementation of prebiotics using Chaetomorpha linum as a means to reduce cases of pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders is an apt innovation in bolstering a child’s digestive system resilience.

Improving the digestive system health status of children is an investment in the future. A healthy digestive system in children will enhance their immune system resilience. A healthy younger generation will undoubtedly contribute to Indonesia’s demographic dividend in the future.

On Wednesday, September 6 2023, the Dean of the Faculty of Biology at UGM served as a guest speaker in the Guest Lecturer Program organized by the Biology Education Program, FKIK UIN North Sumatra Medan. The event took place from 09:00 to 11:00 AM at the SBSN Building, FKIK UIN North Sumatra Medan, Campus II Pancing, Jl. Williem Iskandar Psr. V Medan Estate. During the event, the Dean of the Faculty of Biology at UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, S.Si., M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D., delivered a lecture on the topic of “Development and Role of Biology in Downstreaming and Preserving Biodiversity.” The event was attended by enthusiastic students and faculty members. The guest lecture was opened with a welcome address by Prof. Dr. Tien Rafida, M. Hum., the Dean of FKIK UIN SU Medan. Subsequently, the guest lecture session was moderated by Mrs. Ummi Nur Afinni D.J, M.Pd., Secretary of the Biology Education Program.

In his presentation, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, S.Si., M.Agr.Sc., provided an introduction to the field of biology and emphasized the importance of biodiversity. He explained the role of biodiversity in human life, including its significance as a source of food, medicine, habitat for various organisms, provider of ecosystem services, as well as its role in ecotourism and education. Prof. Budi also discussed the history and development of the field of biology from the past to the present and into the future. During this session, he also highlighted efforts to preserve biodiversity through downstreaming of his research results, such as the Hikapel Melon and Melon GMP Shampoo. Prof. Budi also shared his experiences regarding research collaborations with various companies such as PT Nudira Swadaya Indonesia, PT Gizi Indonesia, and Nahla in the development of research on Hikapel melon. These research findings have led to innovative products used in the cosmetic, perfume, and shampoo industries.In addition to discussing melons, Prof. Budi also explained the downstreaming of his research on Indonesian Local Chickens within the Gama Ayam Research Group. Gama Ayam has been developed and disseminated to the community in Beji Village, Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, which is a village adopted by the Faculty of Biology UGM as a step towards improving the quality of local chicken meat. Furthermore, he also presented his research findings on bioacoustics in chickens. Following the presentation, a discussion session ensued. During this session, students and faculty actively participated in the discussion, making the guest lecture interactive and engaging. The event concluded with the presentation of tokens of appreciation to Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, S.Si., M.Agr.Sc. by Prof. Dr. Tien Rafida, M. Hum., the Dean of FKIK UIN SU Medan.

This activity is expected to enhance students’ understanding and enthusiasm in the field of biology and inspire them to contribute to the preservation of biodiversity. Additionally, the event is anticipated to foster research cooperation and collaboration between the Faculty of Biology at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and the Faculty of Education and Teacher Training at UIN North Sumatra Medan, while also supporting sustainable development goals, particularly quality education (SDGs 4).

The high biodiversity in the Indonesian archipelago holds various potentials to be wisely utilized and managed for human well-being. Appropriate utilization and management must be grounded in accurate knowledge of species identities. This requires fundamental research in the field of Plant Taxonomy. In order to motivate students from the Biology Department of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Tadulako University, Prof. Dr. Ratna Susandarini, M.Sc., a Professor specializing in Plant Taxonomy at the Faculty of Biology UGM, delivered a guest lecture on the theme of Biosystematics Research for Biodiversity Management,organized by the Biology Department of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Tadulako University. Prof. Ratna Susandarini’s presence also brought a mission to explore research collaboration, which was discussed in an informal meeting with the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Tadulako University, Dr. Lufsyi Mahmudin, S.Si., M.Si.The guest lecture, held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, was attended by students of the Biology Department, students from Mataram University enrolled in the MBKM program, The Head of the Department, Department Secretary, and all the lecturers.

In her opening address, the Head of the Biology Department at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Tadulako University, Dr. Asri Pirade Paserang, S.Si., M.Si., expressed hope that through this guest lecture, students would find inspiration and motivation to research the rich biodiversity in the Sulawesi region, widely recognized in the scientific world as part of the Wallacea region. The discussion that followed the guest lecture further heightened motivation for both students and faculty members to study the biodiversity of Sulawesi through research in the field of Biosystematics.”

Yogyakarta, 5 September 2023 – The Faculty of Biology received a visit from alumni of the Faculty of Biology class of 1973 and the Teratai Association consisting of retired lecturers, to reminisce and strengthen ties.

The alumni visit was welcomed by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean and Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology, UGM. The visit was also attended by active lecturers from the Faculty of Biology including Dr. Dra. Rr. Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, DAP., M.Kes., Drs. Hari Purwanto, MP, Ph.D., Dr. Siti Sumarmi, Prof. Dr. Suwarno Hadisusanto, S.U., and Prof. Dr. Tjut Sugandawaty Djohan, M.Sc.

The Dean of the Faculty of Biology, conveyed his warm welcome to the 1973 alumni visit. “We are honored to be able to welcome back the 1973 alumni at the Faculty of Biology and our task now is to continue the faith of the alumni,” said Prof. Budi in his speech (5/9).

Furthermore, remarks were given by Prof. Jusup Subagja as Chairman of the Teratai Association. Teratai itself is a group to accommodate relation between retired lecturers from the Faculty of Biology UGM, it is hoped that Teratai will be able to tie kinship ties even after retirement.

Prof. Harini Muntasib then delivered her remarks as Coordinator of the 1973 Alumni. Prof. Harini expressed her appreciation and happiness for holding the alumni meeting that day as well as hoped that the meeting would become an extraordinary momentum for ties relationship between alumni.

The visit was followed by the handover of books from the 1973 alumni to the Faculty of Biology which were handed over by Dr. Enny Yuniwarti to Dr. Dra. Rr. Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, DAP., M.Kes. Furthermore, the handover of merchandises from the 1973 alumni was carried out to the Faculty of Biology and the Teratai Association. These merchandises were conveyed by Dra. Titin Agustina to Dr. Dra. Rr. Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, DAP., M.Kes as a representative of the Faculty of Biology and Prof. Jusup Subagja from the Teratai Association. There was also a submission of donations from Dra. Siti Fatimah to the Teratai Association. The donation is expected to be useful for the needs of the Teratai Association.

On Saturday, September 2 2023, the Opening and Webinar for the Biology Brainiac Competition 2023 took place with the theme “Unleash The Power of Coral Reefs to Fight Against Strong Waves,” organized by the Biosphere#6 Committee via Zoom Meeting, with 117 participants. The event featured introduction of the Faculty of Biology by Zuliyati Rokhmah, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., a lecturer from the Faculty of Biology, and insights into coursework at the Faculty of Biology by Nareta Defiani, S.Si., a 2018 alumnus of the Faculty of Biology UGM. The event was moderated by Rima Arvisya, a student from the Faculty of Biology. The purpose of this event was to provide Biology Brainiac Competition participants with an overview of the Faculty of Biology UGM and to officially open the Biology Brainiac Competition.

The Biology Brainiac Competition Webinar began with an introduction by the moderator, followed by speeches from Daffa Patria Putra Dewanto, the Chairperson of the Biosphere#6 Event, Fathur Syahrian Ramadhani, the Chairperson of the Biology Student Executive Board (BEM), and Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M. Sc, the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. The next session involved presentations. In the first session, Zuliyati Rokhmah, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., covered topics related to the Faculty of Biology, including its facilities, admission procedures, student organizations/institutions within the Faculty of Biology, and the academic activities at the faculty. This was followed by a discussion session. In the second session, Nareta Defiani, S.Si., discussed topics such as coursework, career prospects for biology graduates, and her experiences during her studies at the Faculty of Biology. This session was also followed by a discussion session.

The event concluded with the Biosphere#6 Committee providing information about the Biology Brainiac Competition rules and regulations, followed by a documentation session and closing remarks by the moderator.

On Sunday, September 3, 2023, the Preliminary Round of the Biology Brainiac Competition was held by the Biosphere#6 Committee via Zoom Meeting, with a total of 123 teams participating. This preliminary round is part of the Biology Brainiac Competition event, which will ultimately lead participants to the Final Round. During this preliminary round, Olympiad participants answered 100 multiple-choice questions online via a Google form. The activity commenced at 07:30 AM (WIB) for opening the Zoom meeting and taking attendance. Prior to the start, the committee explained the question-solving process to avoid any issues. Subsequently, the participants began answering the questions from 08:00 AM to 11:00 AM (WIB).

Throughout the question-solving session, all participants were required to keep their cameras activated from the beginning to the end to ensure oversight and prevent cheating. The preliminary round of the Biology Brainiac Competition concluded with a documentation session and a closing statement. From this preliminary round, the top teams will be selected to advance to the semifinal stage. A total of 20 teams will have the opportunity to progress to the semifinals.

The hope behind organizing the Biology Brainiac Competition is to serve as an initial stepping stone for all students to advance in their educational journey and continuously optimize their potential by remaining active and achieving excellence.

One of the widely-used research tools in current scientific research activities is the utilization of electron particles. The observation of electron particles through a microscope instrument provides valuable information and data regarding the ultrastructure of the observed samples, including surface topography, composition, and even elemental composition mapping. To keep up with the advancements, deepen their knowledge, and apply this instrument effectively, three members of the Plant Development Structure Laboratory staff, namely Utaminingsih, S.Si., M.Sc., Novita Yustinadiar, S.Si., M.Si., and Dr. Wiko Arif Wibowo, S.Si., participated in a training program organized by LPPT (Laboratory for Research and Integrated Testing) UGM. The FE-SEM (Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy) training took place on August 31st to September 1st, 2023, at the FE-SEM Laboratory section of LPPT UGM.

The training activities were divided into theory sessions delivered by Prof. Dr. Eng. Yusril Yusuf, S.Si., M.Si., M.Eng. and Yusuf Umardani, S.T., M.Eng., as well as practical sessions supervised by Yusuf Umardani, S.T., M.Eng., and Virginia Fahriza, S.Si. The theoretical discussions covered fundamental concepts of FE-SEM, distinctions from SEM, SEM+EDX test result analysis and mapping, as well as techniques for capturing high-quality images.

This training event was held in a hybrid format with a total of 34 participants from various institutions across Indonesia.The material presented during the training provided a deeper understanding and insight into the use of SEM instruments in biological research, including its current developments that utilize probe current for electron particle emission in FE-SEM. Interactive discussions revolved around the preparation of biological samples required before observation. This is because biological samples typically contain a significant amount of liquids, whereas SEM observations ideally require samples to be in a dry state. Consequently, specific preparation and techniques are needed, depending on the type of biological sample being used. “This training has been highly beneficial in enhancing our analytical knowledge of anatomical structures, and we hope it will ultimately improve the quality of research and education in the SPT laboratory,” said Wiko in response to the training activities.

The use of electron microscopes in biological research has been widely adopted and has aided in the structural analysis of various fields of biology, not only in botany but also in zoology, microbiology, ecology, and environmental sciences, as well as in biomedical research, forensic biology, biodiversity studies, and more. Sample analysis services for observations using FE-SEM are currently available at LPPT UGM and SEM at FKG UGM.

On Friday, September 1, 2023, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, S.Si., M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D., the Dean of the Faculty Biology UGM, had the opportunity to be a speaker at the Research Dissemination event organized by the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) UIN Sunan Gunung Djati, Bandung, in a hybrid format, combining online sessions via Zoom and in-person sessions at the FST Auditorium. The event consisted of two sessions, a seminar from 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM WIB and a parallel session from 01:00 PM to 03:30 PM WIB. During the event, the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM spoke as a speaker with the theme “Downstreaming Research Results in the Field of Biology.” His presentation began by explaining the strategies and challenges in developing scientific ideas. He also presented the cycle of growth in science and technology, starting from research, publication, prototype, patent, business plan, production, and continuing innovation.

In his presentation, Prof. Budi not only provided general insights but also shared successful experiences from his research on Hikapel melons, which have been developed since 1997. According to him, the key to his success in developing Hikapel melon research lies in perseverance, consistency, self-confidence, and maintaining integrity as an academic.Furthermore, Prof. Budi explained that his research on Hikapel melons resulted in unique and distinct advantages, with the fruit being small in size like an apple, sweet in taste, and having a different, fragrant aroma compared to typical melons. His research on Hikapel melons also led to collaborations with several companies, such as PT Nudira Swadaya Indonesia, PT Gizi Indonesia, and Nahla. These melons are not only enjoyable to eat but can also be used as raw materials in the cosmetics, perfume, and shampoo industries. In addition to melon research, he also presented his research on bioacoustics in chickens. This research highlights that different chicken breeds have distinct vocalizations, including differences in duration, sound energy, and melody.

In his conclusion, Prof. Budi emphasized several important points that can serve as guidelines for lecturers and researchers. First, outstanding research is needed as a foundation for downstreaming research results. Second, there is a need for research roadmap planning that can measure and evaluate expected achievements. Third, perseverance, focus, and hard work are necessary in building a research track record. Lastly, strong collaboration and cooperation are the keys to success in research development.

Following the presentation, the event continued with a discussion session, which was expected to provide motivation and inspiration for lecturers and researchers to be more diligent in downstreaming their research results. Hopefully, this event will be successful and beneficial for the development of science and technology in Indonesia.

On Sunday, July 30 2023, a socialization event was held to introduce the potential of milk pumpkin as an anti-stunting food ingredient to the Women Farmers Group (KWT) Melati in Kebondalem Hamlet, Madurejo Village, Prambanan Sub-District, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta. This activity was part of the Community Service Grant based on the Utilization of Research Results and the Application of Appropriate Technology (TTG), titled “Optimizing Milk Pumpkin Flour Production and Online Marketing Strategy as Efforts to Improve Food Security, Economic Welfare, and Anti-Stunting in Madurejo Village, Special Region of Yogyakarta.” The event was attended by 22 members of KWT Melati from Kebondalem Hamlet and was graced by the TTG team, including Prof. Dr. Purnomo, M.S., Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Nurpuji Mumpuni S.Si., M.Kes., Dian Sartika S.Si., M.Sc., as well as several students from the Faculty of Biology.

The activity began with a group exercise session and the distribution of door prizes to boost participant’s spirits and foster camaraderie among the attendees and the organizing team. The introductory material was presented by the research leader, Prof. Dr. Purnomo, M.S., discussed topics related to cultivation science, systematics, and the potential benefits for community agriculture.

On the same day, the presentation continued with a discussion led by Nurpuji Mumpuni, S.Si., M.Kes., regarding stunting prevention. The presentation covered the fundamental understanding and concept of stunting, as well as the dangers it poses. Subsequently, using milk pumpkin as an example, Puji highlighted the potential of milk pumpkin as a nutritious resource, especially for toddlers, in preventing stunting due to its high nutritional content. Through this activity, it is hoped that knowledge about stunting will be enhanced within the community, primarily as a preventative measure.

On August 17, 2023, the Matalabiogama team, along with students from SMAN 1 Wonosari, Matalabiogama alumni Edi Dwi Atmaja, S.Si., M.Psi., and other nature enthusiasts, held a flag-raising ceremony at Ngeleng Cave, Munthuk Hamlet, Mulusan Village, Paliyan District, Gunung Kidul Regency. This ceremony was conducted again after a gap of three years. Members of Matalabiogama gathered at the Faculty of Biology at 06:00 AM to depart together for Ngeleng cave. After a 2-hour journey, they arrived at the meeting point near Ngeleng cave at 09:00 AM. All ceremony participants continued their journey to Ngeleng cave on foot, which took approximately 20 minutes. Upon reaching the cave’s entrance, the Pawana Ekamas members (nature-loving students of SMAN 1 Wonosari) began preparing for the flag-raising and all arrangements for the ceremony. The ceremony commenced at 10:00 AM and proceeded smoothly and solemnly. After approximately 30 minutes, the ceremony concluded. Members of Matalabiogama and Pawana Ekamas then prepared for cave exploration.

The cave exploration team was divided into two groups. The first team consisted of Matalabiogama members led by Edi, while the second team comprised Pawana Ekamas members. During the cave exploration, Matalabiogama members encountered various cave fauna such as cave crickets, millipedes, cave spiders, bats, and others. The cave exploration activity lasted for 2 hours.

After the cave exploration, Matalabiogama members prepared to return to the Faculty of Biology UGM. The flag-raising ceremony and cave exploration activities serve as positive endeavors that foster nationalism among the participants, regardless of their location. Additionally, the cave exploration activity is expected to become a regular practice to enhance the skills of Matalabiogama members.