Arsip:
Student Activities
MicroSD is a work program aimed at the internal members of the Marine Biology Study Group, Universitas Gadjah Mada (KSK Biogama). This work program is one of the initiatives run by the Curriculum section with the aim of broadening the knowledge of KSK members regarding marine science by studying software that supports research. MicroSD 2023 was presented in the form of a webinar held on Sunday, August 27, 2023, through the Zoom platform. The online format was chosen so that the tutorials provided by the speakers during the webinar could be recorded and subsequently reviewed by KSK Biogama members. The research topic highlighted in MicroSD 2023 was “Utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) Programs in Marine Research in Indonesia,” with Bondan Galih Dewanto, S.T., a lecturer in Geodesy Engineering atUniversitas Gadjah Mada, as the speaker. He has conducted extensive research on the mapping of study areas and is highly proficient in using GIS applications. He was accompanied by an assistant, Arinda Tasya Arianti, who played a technical role in the event.
The event lasted for two hours and included a general introduction to GIS applications, followed by a tutorial on registering with the USGS Earth Explorer and creating composite images for generating location maps tailored to the actual coordinate points. The creation of research location maps serves the purpose of enhancing the aesthetic presentation of papers or journals, ensuring that the depicted research site appears more accurate and provides a clearer representation compared to merely including a Google Earth image. Following the speaker’s presentation, a discussion session was opened to allow KSK Biogama members to ask questions directly about any material they hadn’t fully understood or seek consultations on topics related to MicroSD. The event concluded with a certificate presentation for the speaker and the assistant, followed by a group photo.
The Student Genetic Research Forum (FORMASIGEN) held a GenTalk, which serves as a platform to discuss the results of thesis research conducted at the Genetics and Breeding Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, UGM. This GenTalk took place on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, and featured Syallom Gita Maharani, S.Si. as the speaker, with the topic “Detection of Polymorphisms rs249954 and rs16940342 in the PALB2 Gene in Women with Breast Cancer at Dr. Moewardi Surakarta Regional Hospital ”. The event was conducted through a Zoom meeting and was open to the public, with 32 participants including FORMASIGEN members and several other students from the Faculty of Biology, UGM. The event started at 19:30 WIB and was opened by Muhammad Helmi Fauzan, the Chair of FORMASIGEN 2023.
In this GenTalk, the speaker began by explaining the background of this research. They highlighted that over 80% of breast cancer cases are detected at an advanced stage, making treatment efforts increasingly challenging. This emphasizes the importance of early detection of breast cancer, particularly at the genetic and molecular levels. The PALB2 gene has the potential to cause breast cancer with a moderate risk. PALB2 itself has variants in the form of SNPs rs249954 and rs16940342 that increase the risk of breast cancer in the Asian female population. The research results showed the presence of SNP rs249954 (C>T) in patients with a pathology diagnosis of the Triple Negative subtype and the homozygous TT genotype. Additionally, SNPrs16940342 (A>G) was found in patients with the Luminal B subtype and the homozygous GG genotype.
The event continued with questions from the attendees, leading to engaging discussions. GenTalk concluded with a group photo session. Through GenTalk, it is hoped that information regarding the importance of detecting breast cancer by targeting potential trigger genes can be understood and serve as a reference for generating ideas for research in the field of Genetics.
Information Gathering (LIPUTAN) is one of the programs under the responsibility of the External Division within the Marine Study Group of the Faculty of Biology at Gadjah Mada University. The event involves discussions between representatives from visited institutions and the audience composed of members of KSK Biogama. The purpose of this activity is to broaden the members’ knowledge about the activities carried out by external organizations related to marine and other biological sciences. Additionally, it is hoped that this event serves as a platform for establishing good relationships with other organizations in the external realm.
LIPUTAN was conducted on August 25, 2023, attended by representatives of KSK Biogama. The presentations covered the duties and career planning of the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), the role of Mako Lanal Yogyakarta, and information about community activities (volunteer work). The presentations were delivered by Commander of Lanal Yogyakarta, Colonel Laut (KH/W) Dr. Devi Erlita, M.M., M.Tr.Hanla, and Paspotmar of Lanal Yogyakarta, Mayor Laut (K/W) Herlin Hestiyowati.
Special thanks to the Lanal Yogyakarta, for hosting the Marine Study Group, Faculty of Biology. This visit is expected to provide new knowledge for active members of KSK Biogama and serve as a bridge for future cooperation between KSK Biogama and Lanal Yogyakarta.
The Marine Study Group (KSK) commemorates its 23rd anniversary. As in previous years, the KSK Birthday event is combined with the KSK Competition to engage all members in celebration and participation. The 23rd KSK Birthday was held on September 23, 2023, at the Auditorium Biologi Tropika of the Faculty of Biology, UGM. The purpose of this event is to strengthen the sense of camaraderie among members and to foster connections with KSK Biogama alumni. The KSK Birthday festivities featured various competitions, including a traditional cone-decorating competition, video contests, as well as group competitions involving Junior, Intermediate, and Senior members. Additionally, a “Beach Party” dress code was introduced, with prizes awarded to the best-dressed members. The event commenced at 15:30 WIB with an opening led by the PSDM team.
Next, videos from the classes DXXI, DXXII, and DXXIII were screened, followed by videos from the Scientific Knowledge classes. The event then continued with group competitions aimed at fostering closer bonds and teamwork among the classes. These included the “chain wrap,” relay outfit, and melody race (guessing song lyrics) competitions. The competitions were held in a supportive and enthusiastic atmosphere, making them highly engaging for all members. Following this, there was a cone-decorating contest among the classes.Subsequently, the cone was cut and a communal prayer was offered before everyone enjoyed a meal together. The event concluded with a gift exchange, announcement of competition winners, and documentation of the day’s events. The cone-decorating competition was won by the class Cumi (DXXII), the class video competition was won by the Orca class (DXXIII), and the scientific knowledge video was won by the Algae Scientific Knowledge class. Additionally, winners were announced for the group competition, best dress code, MVP, and most enthusiastic supporter.
The Faculty of Biology at UGM has conducted a survey on the diversity of flora in the coastal area of Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta. This flora diversity survey was a collaborative effort between the Faculty of Biology at UGM and the Environmental Agency of Bantul Regency, as part of a series of surveys on biodiversity of flora and fauna in Bantul.
The survey activities took place from May to June 2023. The Faculty of Biology assembled a team led by Dr. Abdul Razaq Chasani, a lecturer from the Plant Systematics Laboratory, which included undergraduate and postgraduate students: Aji Sukma, Bima Kurniawan, Reza Raihandhany, Annisa Mawarni, Ima Laidiya, Lisna Nur Aini, Puspita Kusuma Astuti, Zenith Caitra, and Zildan Basara. This three-month flora survey covered the southern region of Bantul Regency, including coastal areas, river estuaries, and sand dunes. The surveyed coastal areas encompassed nearly the entire shoreline of Bantul, falling within the administrative regions of Kapanewon Kretek, Kapanewon Sanden, and Kapanewon Srandakan. Gumuk Pasir Parangkusumo, the estuary of the Opak River, and the estuary of the Progo River were the three non-coastal locations selected for the survey. The chosen coastal areas were relatively secluded, avoiding touristy locations to obtain more natural results and reduce potential anthropogenic influence. The survey was conducted by exploring along the shoreline and accessible pathways leading to the beach. Flowering plants (Angiospermae) encountered along the route were recorded and documented using cameras. Samples that could not be identified on the spot were brought back to the Plant Systematics Laboratory for further examination.
Remarkably, the survey team recorded a total of 141 species of flowering plants from 47 families. Several species composing the coastal vegetation formations were consistently found in nearly all survey locations, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), Spinifex littoreus (beach spinifex), Canavalia rosea (beach bean), Calotropis gigantea (giant milkweed), Casuarina equisetifolia (ironwood), and Pandanus tectorius (screw pine). The timing of the survey allowed for comprehensive observation of the entire plant anatomy, as nearly all observed species were in bloom.
These outstanding results underscore the importance of cooperation and collaboration between government agencies and educational institutions. The quantity and quality of research conducted in this manner can be used by agencies to formulate policies that involve educational institutions and local communities. Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including elements like terrestrial life, sustainable communities, and quality education, it is hoped that agencies will design regulations that support the preservation of local native plants and their interactions with the surrounding community. This is especially crucial in realizing the vision of the Governor of Yogyakarta for 2022-2027, which aims to empower the southern region through a comprehensive approach from various aspects.
A team of undergraduate students of the Faculty of Biology at UGM, led by Firchamy Vuqi Aulia along with Annisa Nur Baety, Azra Belva Naprilian, Muhammad Syahrul Firdaus, and Ridho Nur Alam under guidance Dr. Wiko Arif Wibowo, S.Si. achieved 2nd place in the National Scientific Paper Competition. The event was organized by Brawijaya University from June 1 to September 13, 2023 with the theme “Synergizing Nation Building with Applied Technological Innovation towards Independent Indonesia,”. The competition consisted of two stages: the submission of full papers and the creation of a PowerPoint presentation, followed by a presentation by the selected finalist.
The team took the sub-theme of agro complexes, with the title “Application of Precision Farming Concept with Digital Twins Technology in Vertical Farming in the Era of Industry 5.0 to Support Sustainable Development.” The writing of this scientific paper was motivated by the declining state of Indonesia’s agricultural sector over time. This is attributed to the increasing limitation of agricultural land availability due to its conversion into residential areas caused by the growing population. Additionally, the agricultural sector in Indonesia is still managed conventionally with limited technological involvement. This is a significant factor in frequent crop failures. These events lead to an increase in import activities as the food supply from the agricultural sector in Indonesia is insufficient to meet the consumption needs of the continuously growing population. Based on these issues, The team proposed an innovation aimed at addressing these challenges. This innovation involves the implementation of vertical farming coupled with the precision farming concept supported by Digital Twins technology. Vertical farming will serve as a solution for farmers with limited land, particularly those in urban areas. However, vertical farming alone will not yield optimal results without additional innovations. Therefore, we propose an innovation to manage vertical farming using the precision farming concept. Precision farming will be implemented using geographic information systems (GIS), remote monitoring, and soil sensors as primary tools. Furthermore, this precision farming concept will be further enhanced by the integration of Digital Twins technology, which utilizes real-time virtual modeling of objects with the assistance of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IoT (Internet of Things).
The idea put forth by this team is anticipated to be an effective and constructive solution for the agricultural sector in Indonesia. If implemented, it will have a positive impact on Indonesia’s agricultural sector, making it more advanced and capable of meeting the food needs of the Indonesian population, while also competing on a global scale in the current Industry 5.0 era. Additionally, with the innovation stemming from this idea, it is hoped that the agricultural sector in Indonesia will develop sustainably, thereby eliminating issues of land scarcity and leading to an improvement in the quality and quantity of agricultural produce.
The continuation of the Community Engagement Merdeka Learning Campus Merdeka (PKM-MBKM) program in 2023, titled “Empowering the Independence of the Women Farmers Group in Kepuh Wetan Village, Wirokerten, through Oyster Mushroom Cultivation and Processing (Pleurotus ostreatus),” was conducted on Sunday, October 1, 2023. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in enhancing the role of women across various sectors (SDG 5), the meeting was attended by the women members of the Women Farmers Group (KWT) Amanda, with Chairwoman Mrs. Marwati present.
The session involved a presentation of the progress and evaluation of oyster mushroom cultivation that has been undertaken. The team, consisting of Ika Izma Putri, Kusnadianta Yudha Pratama, Dana Abruri, Airlangga Wibisono, and led by Prof. Dr. Diah Rachmawati, S.Si., M.Si., identified several challenges in oyster mushroom cultivation including overheated mushroom houses, low humidity, dried oyster mushrooms, baglog positioning, uneven and suboptimal mushroom growth, as well as termite infestations. To address these challenges, The Team suggested intensive watering to lower the temperature and increase humidity around the oyster mushrooms, targeted tearing of the baglogs on specific sides to promote optimal mushroom growth, darkening the mushroom house to maintain humidity, and the creation of yellow traps as termite deterrents using yellow-colored plastic bottles wrapped in adhesive-coated plastic.
Following the presentation of the evaluation results, the team and members of the Women Farmers Group Amanda collaborated in arranging oyster mushroom baglogs on shelving units within the mushroom house. A total of 265 baglogs were arranged on two tiers of shelving. These baglogs exhibited approximately 25% mycelium coverage. It is hoped that after this activity, there will be a continuation in the processing of oyster mushrooms into various products, including mushroom crisps, nuggets, and siomay, aiming to develop independent entrepreneurship within KWT Amanda and contribute to the economic growth of their community (SDG 8).
On Thursday, September 28, 2023, the Graduate Student Family (Keluarga Mahasiswa Pascasarjana – KMP) of the Faculty of Biology UGM organized the Circle II Discussion Session 1. The activity revolved around the theme “Boost Your Writing Skill,” with the aim of enhancing the writing abilities of graduate students to produce high-quality manuscripts eligible for publication in reputable journals. The event took place in Room 2 on the 1st Floor of the Sinar Mas Building at the Faculty of Biology, UGM, and was attended by 63 participants, consisting of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students from the Faculty of Biology, UGM.
The first day’s activities commenced at 07:45 AM WIB, guided by Faradilla, S.Si. as the MC, and began with a collective prayer to bestow blessings and extensive benefits upon the event, continued with the singing of the Indonesian National Anthem, “Indonesia Raya,” the Gadjah Mada Hymn, and the Biology UGM March. Following this, the Circle II Discussion was officially opened with a welcome speech by Dr.rer.nat. Andhika Puspito Nugroho, S.Si., M.Si., representing Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, UGM, who was unable to attend. During his address, he expressed his appreciation for the Circle II Discussion event as a valuable activity that supports research publication.Dr. Andika emphasized that writing is a complex task, as it requires guidance and direction. In the graduate program, students must take the initiative to write independently. He also emphasized the importance of publishing research data in scientific journals, rather than solely considering it as a final assignment. Furthermore, he encouraged students to participate in various seminars and conferences to add to their Certificate of Academic Achievement (SKPI) issued by the faculty.
The event continued with a presentation by Dr. Miftahul Ilmi, S.Si., M.Si., on “Writing Effectively.” He emphasized that good writing should have a logical structure and flow that is easy to read. He stated that there is no magic formula for a manuscript to be accepted by reputable journals, but there are four essential criteria: an interesting and relevant theme in the field of study, well-designed research that addresses the hypothesis, valid and significant data, and clear publication writing. He also stressed the important principles of being concise, clear, and logical in writing, while cautioning against common mistakes like using convoluted and ambiguous sentences.The second part of the presentation covered the crucial steps in writing a scientific article. The speaker emphasized that authors must be aware of their target audience and the focus of the article. This includes defining the research problem, research objectives, and research conclusions. The steps in writing a manuscript start with the framework, methodology, results, discussion, introduction, title, and abstract. Additionally, meeting deadlines and seeking revisions from mentors or colleagues were highlighted.
After a short break, the discussion continued with topics on “Citation” and “Publication Ethics” by the guest speaker. They explained the importance of citations in providing context to research, presenting ideas, and acknowledging sources of information. Various sources, such as articles, proceedings, thesis books, newspapers, print media, online sources, and personal communication, can be used for citations. The speakers also discussed the significance of key articles at the beginning of the research and updating the list of references during the research process. They pointed out citation practices that need to be scrutinized, including spurious citations, biased citations, self-citing, and excluding contradictory results citations. Additionally, they highlighted publication ethics related to authorship, data falsification, plagiarism, and predatory journals.
The final session provided tips on “Submission Strategies” for articles, such as selecting a potential journal and adhering to the format specified by the target journal. Each presentation by the speakers was followed by enthusiastic questions from the audience. Questions covered topics like valid methodology selection, avoiding citation loops, authorship determination, and tips for writing cover letters to journal editors.
The activities of the first day concluded at 03:30 PM WIB with the presentation of mementos by the KMP Faculty of Biology, UGM. Finally, the event concluded with a group photo of the speakers, participants, and organizers. The Circle Discussion event is expected to become a regularly held activity to meet the needs of graduate students in Biology at UGM in terms of writing, research, and publishing scientific articles.
In early March 2023, the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) – 2023 Research Team from the Faculty of Biology at UGM, led by Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc., along with a student named Andi Muhammad Naufal Khaeri, conducted observations on the embryonic development of eggs and the feeding of Ostriches at Mahasvin Farm, Yogyakarta. The purpose of this activity was to understand the process of breeding exotic birds, particularly Ostriches, in Yogyakarta, which is located at Mahasvin Farm.
The Mahasvin Farm exotic bird breeding group is currently making efforts to hatch exotic bird eggs, including Ostriches. These efforts aim to achieve several objectives, including the conservation of exotic animals, the development of exotic wildlife tourism for the community, and, most importantly, the enhancement of educational facilities and media for wildlife development and conservation. The potential for this endeavor is significant, and they have already succeeded in hatching various types of exotic birds. However, there are currently some challenges in maintaining the embryonic development of these exotic birds.
Based on the results of discussions and observations with partners, obstacles in the Ostrich hatching process were identified, such as the imperfections in the incubator machine and the inability of the current feed to fully meet the nutritional needs. The incubator machine currently in use is unable to reach the optimal humidity levels for the development of Ostrich embryos during the incubation process. The ideal incubation temperature for Ostrich hatching is around 36°C-38°C with a relative humidity between 20% and 30% (Brassó, et al. 2020). The incubator machine lacks an egg rotation system, so egg rotation needs to be done manually by opening the incubator door, which leads to fluctuations in humidity levels affecting embryo development, resulting in suboptimal outcomes.Therefore, in May, discussions were initiated to create a new incubator with an automatic egg rotation system that can maintain stable humidity levels within the incubator, allowing for optimal Ostrich embryo development until hatching. Additionally, efforts have been made to formulate a proper feed composition to ensure the successful breeding of Ostriches at Mahasvin Farm.
Currently, the new incubator machine has been successfully manufactured and is in the final checking phase to confirm if crucial indicators during incubation, namely temperature and humidity levels, are within the desired range. Following this verification, the research will proceed to the Ostrich egg incubation process to observe the stages of Ostrich embryo development. [Author: Andi Muhammad Naufal Khaeri]
On Saturday, September 23, 2023, the Final and Grand Final rounds of the Biology Brainiac Competition were held by the BIOSPHERE#6 Committee via Zoom Meeting, with a total of 12 teams participating. In the final round, each team took turns answering 5 questions orally via Zoom Meeting breakout rooms. Each question represented one of the five different subfields of Biology. The competition was divided into 2 sessions, each lasting approximately 60 minutes, with an allocated thinking and answering time of 10 minutes per question. The final round commenced at 07:30 AM – 11:30 AM WIB. Following the completion of the Final Round, the Grand Final Round took place from 01:30 PM – 05:30 PM WIB, featuring 5 teams that qualified from the Final Round. The Grand Final participants consisted of teams from SMAK Penabur Gading Serpong, MAS Unggulan Amanatul Ummah, SMAN 1 Blitar, SMAN 2 Tangerang Selatan, and SMAN 1 DEPOK.
During the Grand Final Round, participants were required to present a PowerPoint presentation containing material from a journal cited by the participant and approved by the committee. This was followed by a question and answer session with the examiners (lecturers from the Faculty of Biology at UGM). The Grand Final Round of the Biology Brainiac Competition BIOSPHERE#6 concluded with a closing session and the announcement of the results.
The Grand Final Round marks the culmination of the BIOSPHERE#6 Biology Brainiac Competition. The hope behind organizing the Biology Brainiac Competition is to provide a path for all students in Indonesia to learn to strive towards their dreams and aspirations in higher education, while continuously optimizing their potential through active participation and achievement.