Prof. Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc., a genomics researcher from the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, together with the Satria Budi Dharma Setia Foundation (YSDS), and  genomics researchers from IPB University, Universitas Mataram, and Universitas Swadaya Gunung Jati (UGJ), participated in an event organized by Pacific Biosciences held on April 14–16, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa, Da Nang, Vietnam. Participation in PrIMS 2025 is not only about sharing research findings, but also about learning from the global scientific community and establishing international partnerships to accelerate the adoption of genomic sequencing technologies in Indonesia in response to increasingly complex research challenges.

PacBio PrIMS 2025 brought together experts, scientists, and professionals in the field of genome sequencing from various countries across the Asia-Pacific region, covering key topics such as Plant, Animal & Microbial Genomics, Human Genomics, Iso-Seq & Single Cell Iso-Seq, Bioinformatics, and Emerging Applications & Technologies. Participation in PrIMS 2025 is part of a continuous effort to foster global collaboration and strengthen national genomics research capacity, which is vital for accelerating the use of next-generation sequencing technologies to address major challenges in public health and environmental sciences. This forum also provides a platform for dialogue and collaboration between Indonesian researchers and international partners in developing laboratory infrastructure, technology transfer, and cross-border scientific training. With a spirit of collaboration, Indonesia’s participation is expected to serve as a bridge toward strengthening an inclusive and globally competitive genomics research ecosystem.

Paramaribo, April 15, 2025 – The delegation of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continued the second day of their official visit to Suriname with a number of strategic agendas to expand the international cooperation network and establish friendship with the Javanese diaspora in the country. The delegation was led by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, accompanied by Dr. Slamet Widiyanto (Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources Affairs), and Dr. Eko Agus Suyono (Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs).

The agenda of the second day of the visit began with a meeting with Dr. Marciano Dasai, Minister of Spatial Planning and Environment of Suriname who is also a UGM alumnus. This meeting discussed the potential for cooperation in sending Surinamese staff for further studies at the Faculty of Biology UGM. In addition, both parties also explored research and development collaboration in various strategic areas such as food security, biodiversity database management, carbon credit, bioprospecting, renewable energy, agriculture, and climate resilience. In the afternoon, the delegation met with Surinamese parliamentarian Evert Legiran Kerto, as well as the management of the Pertjaja Luhur Party, the largest Javanese-based party in Suriname. The discussion focused on opportunities for cooperation in human resource development and technology transfer, as a form of synergy between Indonesian higher education institutions and elements of the Javanese community in Suriname.

The visit continued to Saramakka District, about 50 km from the capital city of Paramaribo, to meet with Javanese community leaders, namely Mr. H. Subari and his family: Mr. David K. Karso and Mrs. Noer Latifah Laily. This meeting was an important event to introduce the Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs of the Faculty of Biology UGM, as well as to strengthen relations between UGM and the Javanese diaspora community.

Previously, the delegation was also accompanied by staff from the Indonesian Embassy in Suriname, Mrs. Anissa and Mrs. Risa, during a visit to Mrs. Carla Grossman, Director of the QSI International School of Suriname. This visit aims to promote the International Program (IUP) of the Faculty of Biology UGM to prospective international students.

This visit is part of the Faculty of Biology UGM’s efforts to encourage the internationalization of higher education and strengthen Indonesia’s role in the global arena through cross-country educational and research cooperation, especially with the Indonesian diaspora community.

Through this initiative, it is hoped that the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Suriname can be strengthened, not only in the context of education, but also in the economic, social, and cultural sectors. This initiative also prioritizes the principles of sustainable development which are part of a shared commitment to the SDGs, especially support for inclusive education for all groups (SDG 4 and 10), as well as support for research that contributes to environmental conservation and handling climate change (SDG 13).

Paramaribo, April 14, 2025 – In an effort to expand international networks and strengthen educational relations between countries, the delegation of the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) consisting of Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, M.Sc. Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources Affairs, and Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs, made an official visit to the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Principal Authorized Representative of the Indonesian Embassy in Suriname, Mr. Sadikin, along with staff, namely Mrs. Anisa and Miss Risa. In the productive discussion, several important agendas were discussed, including the promotion of scholarship programs for students, teachers, lecturers and government staff from Suriname to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Biology UGM.

Suriname has strong historical ties with Indonesia. More than 135 years ago, the Javanese people first migrated to Suriname as contract workers. Today, their descendants are an important part of the country’s social and political life, although many of them are no longer fluent in Javanese.

Efforts to re-establish cooperation in the fields of education and culture have actually been carried out since the New Order era under the leadership of President Soeharto. Now, this spirit has been renewed by opening up collaboration spaces not only in the fields of education and culture, but also expanded to the economic, industrial, and environmental sectors.

Suriname is also known as a country with zero carbon emissions (zero CO₂ emissions) and as the most forested country in the world. In fact, there is one province whose entire territory is forest so that it does not have its own capital city, and must be represented by the country’s capital. This opens up great potential for cooperation in the fields of biodiversity and conservation as well as climate change, including CO₂ capture which is the main strength of the Faculty of Biology UGM.

On this occasion, the UGM delegation also met with a member of parliament of Javanese descent, Mr. Moertabat Wanica Sidik who is the older brother of the Surinamese Ambassador to Indonesia. He expressed his full support for efforts to increase cooperation that can help prepare Suriname’s human resources, especially the young generation of Indonesian descent, to be able to fill strategic positions in government and other sectors. Currently, there are at least three ministers and several directors who are of Javanese descent and some of them are UGM alumni.

Through this initiative, it is expected to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Suriname, not only in the context of education, but also in the economic, social, and cultural sectors. This initiative also prioritizes the principles of sustainable development which are part of a shared commitment to the SDGs, especially support for inclusive education for all groups (SDG 4 and 10), as well as support for research that contributes to environmental conservation and handling climate change (SDG 13).

On Friday, 21st of March 2025 at 1-2.30 PM, Gentalk 4 was 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 this Gentalk edition, the speaker is Laura Silka Karawina Rokhmat, Faculty of Biology UGM students batch 2021 under the supervision of Prof. Dra. Tuty Arisuryanti, M.Sc., Ph.D for her undergraduate thesis.

This program started with an opening from the Master of Ceremony, Ghefira Nurrahima Tsuraya, as a part of the Public Relation 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. The next activity is a presentation about “Genetic Variation Northern Calling Fiddler Crab, Gelasimus Borealis (Crane, 1975), from Kulon Progo, D.I.Yogyakarta Using 16s rRNA Mitochondrial Gene”. In this session, she shares about identification methods and genetic variation analysis of Northern Calling Fiddler Crab, Gelasimus Borealis, using 16s rRNA mitochondrial gene. After that, is the Q&A session followed by closing from the master of ceremony. Through Gentalk, we hoped that this could be a good start to create a vessel for an interesting and beneficial discussion. We also hope that this program can give a better understanding about all the research done by all the lecturers and their students in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biologi UGM. This research also hoped to help actualize the 15^th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that is Life On Land.

On Sunday, 9^th of March 2025, Open House Formasigen 2025 was held in the Auditorium of Tropical Biology, Faculty of Biology, UGM. This event was held for all Formasigen’s members, study group and organisation delegates, and all faculty of biology’s students. This event was attended by Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., as Formasigen’s supervisor lecturer. Open House Formasigen 2025 is aimed to introduce the cabinet’s ministry and program for the following year to all related student organisations, especially organisation of Faculty of Biology UGM. Beside that, this event also used to open a discussion forum and partnership opportunity with external organisation. This event had 2 main session that are program socialisation of HomeoGenesis cabinet and talkshow from alumni.

The event was started by socialisation of this cabinet’s fundamental work approach by the chairman and vice chairman of Formasigen 2025 cabinet HomeoGenesis. The program socialisation carried on by program of each division from each head of division. After each presentation, the audience was given room to discuss and having QnA session. The next activity was a little ice breaking session followed by talkshow from Formasigen’s alumni. The main topic of the talkshow was the century of biology from Adib Fakhruddin Yusuf, S.Si., M.Sc. as the speaker. After that, the speaker was given souvenir from Formasigen’s current chairman followed by documentation. All guest that attend Open House were also asked to give their feedback and hopes for Formasigen 2025. With the realisation of this event, we hoped that all assigned program can be held without any significant challenge and the relation of Formasigen and external party can be better and can lead to more opportunity.

Currently, science develop rapidly, one of which is related to anatomical characteristics, which are essential parameters in the study of botany and zoology, including systematics, evolution, and ecophysiology related to adaptation. The mega diversity of plants and animals in Indonesia directly proportional to the characteristics of their internal structure. To analyse the anatomical characters of an organism properly, special knowledge related to the sample preparation technique is needed. Therefore, the microtechnique training is required. This event also important for sharing information.

The Laboratory of Plant Structure and Development and the Laboratory of Animal Structure and Development of the Faculty of Biology, UGM collaborate with PT. Miconos Indonesia conducted community service and initiated collaboration with the lecturers from FKIP, Universitas Pattimura Four lecturers from FKIP, Universitas Pattimura were Prof. Dr. Hermalina Sinay, S.Pd., M.Sc., Dr. Sriyanti I.A. Salmanu, M.Pd., Dr. Prelly M.J. Tuapattinaya, M.Pd., and Dr. Syahran Wael, S.Pd., M.BioMed. This training was held for three days, on October 16-18, 2024. The welcome speech was carried out at the Tropical Biology Auditorium, Faculty of Biology, UGM, by Dr. Maryani, M.Sc. as the Head of the Laboratory of Plant Structure and Development and opened directly by Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, M.Sc. as the Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources. They stated that through this training, Faculty of Biology eagerly to share knowledge and experience especially in microtechniques and initiate collaboration between educational institutions.

This training focus on animal and plant microtechniques, especially the paraffin method (embedding). Then continued with the laboratory work. During the training, the participants actively discuss with the mentors and showed high enthusiasm for the material provided.
Dr. Maryani, M.Sc., at the Laboratory of Plant Structure and Development, officially closed the activity. She hope that this training can be used to develop their institution. In the future, we hope this training can initiate collaboration between two institutions.

this activity also contributes to support sustainable development goals (SDG) No. 4 on quality education, SDG No. 10 on reducing inequality, especially in education, and SDG No. 17 on partnerships to achieve goals. This training is not only beneficial for the participants but also helps strengthen the quality of education in Indonesia.

Malang, September 29, 2024 – A team of students from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has successfully earned a nomination at the 3rd International Conference of Biological Science x Open Bioproject Competition, held at Universitas Brawijaya from September 28-29, 2024.

The team, consisting of Angela Puspa Larasati (Biology, 2021), Abisha Yoofi Yudhatama (Biology, 2021), and Abigail Yemima (Biology, 2021), under the supervision of Yustinus Maladan, S.Si., M.Si., presented their research titled, “Design of an HIV-1 Epitope-based Vaccine from Glycoprotein-41 (Gp41) through a Bioinformatics Approach.” Their research earned them the Bronze Medal in the Research Competition for College Students category.

The study focused on developing an HIV-1 epitope-based vaccine using an in silico approach. Through bioinformatics, the team conducted epitope prediction targeting T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes, molecular dynamics simulations, molecular docking, and immune system simulations. This process resulted in a stable HIV-1 vaccine design with promising potential for further development.

On October 5, 2024, Mr. Susilohadi, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, conducted a socialization on the definition, role, and management of riparian zone, particularly concerning conservation, to the residents of Pajangan Hamlet, Wedomartani, Ngemplak, Sleman, Yogyakarta. This event was part of a series of activities under the 2024 Program Hibah Desa Mitra in Wedomartani Village, Ngemplak, Sleman, Yogyakarta.

The event began with an explanation regarding the definition of a riparian zone. Riparian zones are narrow and elongated areas that act as a transition between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. For people living in rural areas, the riparian zone is the only “forest” remaining amidst settlements and rice fields, which occupy nearly 90% of the village area. The role of the riparian zone is crucial, not only as a buffer zone between water and land but also as a carbon sink, erosion preventer, water filter, soil health maintainer, a place for natural vegetation to grow, and a habitat for various wildlife species.

On this occasion, Mr. Susilohadi, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., as the speaker, emphasized that the role of riparian zone for the community has become even more important, given that many of these areas are being converted, particularly due to the expansion of housing developers and the emergency state of waste management. In Yogyakarta city and Sleman Regency, environmental crimes such as the uncontrolled disposal of domestic and industrial waste around riparian zones are widespread. This socialization also aligns with SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) number 15, which focuses on the management of terrestrial ecosystems, including specific goals like the protection of protected areas, water flow management, vegetation restoration, wildlife rehabilitation, waste and pollution management, as well as community education and participation. Community participation, especially from Pajangan Hamlet in Wedomartani, in this socialization event was quite large and enthusiastic, particularly with the active involvement of women who participated in discussions about the future of the river and its borders in their village, considering it as part of the local community’s ecosystem.

On Sunday, September 1, 2024, the Marine Studies Group (KSK) organized “KSK Mengajar” program at Mafaza Orphanage in Warungboto, Bantul, Yogyakarta in collaboration with the Graduate Student Association (KMP). The event took place from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM WIB and was attended by 63 participants and 17 committee members.

The event began with an introduction to marine life and the Marine Studies Group (KSK), followed by an interactive game session. In the second session, participants received inspirational material on motivation for achieving their dreams. The program concluded with the distribution of prizes and a group photo session.

The success of this event was supported by donations, which were collected from August 27 to 31, 2024, Rp1,430,000 was raised and directly handed over to the orphanage on the day of the event.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all the donors, Mafaza Orphanage, KMP, and everyone who contributed to the success of the “KSK Teaching #2” program in 2024.
[Writer: KSK]

On Sunday, September 1, 2024, the Marine Studies Group (KSK) organized “KSK Mengajar” program at Mafaza Orphanage in Warungboto, Bantul, Yogyakarta in collaboration with the Graduate Student Association (KMP). The event took place from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM WIB and was attended by 63 participants and 17 committee members.

The event began with an introduction to marine life and the Marine Studies Group (KSK), followed by an interactive game session. In the second session, participants received inspirational material on motivation for achieving their dreams. The program concluded with the distribution of prizes and a group photo session.
The success of this event was supported by donations, which were collected from August 27 to 31, 2024, Rp1,430,000 was raised and directly handed over to the orphanage on the day of the event.
We would like to extend our gratitude to all the donors, Mafaza Orphanage, KMP, and everyone who contributed to the success of the “KSK Teaching #2” program in 2024.
[Writer: KSK]