Yogyakarta, May 14, 2025 — The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a special guest lecture on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, featuring Prof. Noritaka Mochioka from the Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Japan. The lecture was part of the Ichthyology class and carried the theme “Life History and Conservation of the Eel,” attended by undergraduate and graduate students.

The event was officially opened by the Vice Dean for Cooperation, Research, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., who emphasized the importance of learning from international experiences and research in biodiversity conservation. “Cross-border learning provides students with essential global perspectives, especially in understanding fish population dynamics and conservation challenges for species like the eel,” said Dr. Eko.

Prof. Mochioka delivered an insightful presentation covering the complex life cycle of eels from the leptocephalus larval stage to adulthood, their remarkable long-distance migration, and the major threats they face due to climate change, pollution, and overexploitation. He stressed the need for international collaboration and ecology-based strategies for the conservation of aquatic species.

Through this guest lecture, the Faculty of Biology UGM reaffirms its commitment to equipping students with global scientific insight and strengthening the role of higher education in supporting sustainable conservation efforts.

Yogyakarta, May 15, 2025 – Akbar Reza, a lecturer from the Ecology and Conservation Laboratory at the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), was invited as a speaker in the international discussion session “Live from the Field: Restoring Tropical Forests”. The event was organized by the Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) in collaboration with the OCELOTS (Online Content for Experiential Learning of Tropical Systems) network, the Center for Environmental Inquiry at Sonoma State University, and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

This session brought together researchers and academics in the field of ecology from various countries including Costa Rica, Hawai’i, Ecuador, and Indonesia to share practices, challenges, and innovative approaches to tropical forest ecosystem restoration through interactive video presentations. The event is part of The Virtual Field, an international initiative developed during the pandemic to provide virtual field experiences for biology students around the world.

Attended by nearly 80 students from universities across tropical countries, Akbar presented the implementation of an online learning module on ecosystem restoration that he has integrated into undergraduate ecology courses at UGM. This effort is supported by a grant from the NSF through the OCELOTS Faculty Mentoring Network program. The module aims to enhance context-based learning focused on tropical ecosystems through open and collaborative online methods.

The discussion also featured Dr. Becky Ostertag from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, who spoke about functional trait-based restoration approaches, and Dr. Rakan A. Zahawi, Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Research Station, who highlighted the effectiveness of tree cluster planting as a forest recovery strategy.

The session was moderated by Brittany Cavazos, Assistant Professor of Biology at Stonehill College, Massachusetts, and Miriam San José, a researcher at the Charles Darwin Research Station. It was streamed live from Las Cruces Biological Station in Costa Rica and the UGM Biological Forest in Indonesia.

“From this event, I learned that tropical forest restoration is not just about ecological techniques, but also about social engagement, education, and cross-regional knowledge sharing,” said Akbar. “The opportunity to compare Indonesia’s restoration context with those of Hawai’i and Costa Rica has provided new and valuable perspectives for both myself and my students.”

The “Live from the Field” program not only offers a global learning experience for students but also provides teaching guides, pre-session reading materials, and session recordings that can be used asynchronously by lecturers and educators around the world. More information is available at thevirtualfield.org and ocelots.nrem.iastate.edu.

Yogyakarta, 21 April 2025, The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), is pleased to announce that the Professional Study Program of Biodiversity Curator (Program Studi Profesi Kurator Keanekaragaman Hayati, PKKH) has been officially granted Accreditation status by the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education (BAN-PT) with BAN-PT Decree’s No. 6161/SK/BAN-PT/Ak.P/PP/III/2025 and last for 5 years. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of PKKH, which stands as the first professional program of Biodiversity Curator in Asia and the second globally to focus specifically on the education and preparation of highly competent and professional Biodiversity Curators.

The conferment of this accreditation represents formal recognition of PKKH’s dedication and preparedness in delivering high-quality professional education. It also reflects the program’s commitment to its vision of developing Biodiversity Curators who embody the principles of Pancasila and demonstrate excellence, self-assurance, professionalism, cultural rootedness, creativity, innovation, and a strong capacity for collaboration in national and international.

Through an adaptive and integrated curriculum aligned with the evolving demands of the professional landscape, as well as strategic collaborations with partner institutions nationaly and internationally, PKKH continues to enhance the quality of its academic implementation. The program places a strong emphasis on integrity, competence, and leadership in the conservation and management of biodiversity.

This accomplishment reinforces PKKH’s optimism in advancing as a reference professional program in biodiversity curation, while also promoting the spirit of Pancasila and the cultural values of Indonesia on the global stage. Moreover, this achievement aligns with UGM’s commitment to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on Quality Education. By ensuring the delivery of high-standard professional education in biodiversity curation, PKKH contributes to the development of inclusive, equitable, and high-quality learning opportunities. Furthermore, through its focus on biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management, the program also supports SDGs No 14 on Life Bellow Water and SDGs No 15 on Life on Land, reinforcing the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Yogyakarta, February 21, 2025 – The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), welcomed a delegation from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, as part of a research collaboration under the NTU Singapore Institute of Research for Sustainability and Innovation (INSPIRASI) CCUS (Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage) program. This research project has been ongoing since 2024.

The meeting, held in the KPTU Meeting Room at the Faculty of Biology UGM, was attended by Assoc. Prof. Marcos and his student, Tan Pei Ru, from the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering NTU. Also present were Prof. Dr.Eng. Ir. Arief Budiman, M.S., IPU., and Dr. Nugroho Dewayanto, S.T., M.Eng., from the Faculty of Engineering UGM. From the Faculty of Biology UGM, the meeting was attended by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni, along with his master’s and doctoral students.

During the meeting, discussions revolved around research progress on the application of local strain microalgae for CO2 absorption and its utilization for biorefinery products. This collaboration aims to develop innovative solutions for sustainable carbon emissions management toward net zero emissions using microalgae.

In addition to the discussion session, the NTU delegation also conducted a field visit to several research facilities supporting this project, including the Integrated Genome Factory (IGF), which serves as the DNA/RNA sequencing service center at the Faculty of Biology UGM.

This visit not only focused on research developments but also resulted in an agreement that the Faculty of Biology UGM and NTU will implement a student exchange program as part of strengthening academic and research cooperation.

This research aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The Faculty of Biology UGM hopes that this collaboration will significantly contribute to climate change mitigation efforts through microalgae-based biotechnology innovations.

On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, students from SMPIT Muhammadiyah An Najah, Klaten, had the opportunity to study biology with a focus on histology and animal anatomy at the Laboratory of Animal Structure and Development, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). This activity was attended by 29 students, accompanied by four teachers. The event began with an opening speech by Dr. Ardaning Nuriliani, M.Kes, Head of the Laboratory.

During this activity, students had the chance to learn directly about the structure and function of animals. The learning process included a hands-on dissection of Nile tilapia, guided by the laboratory assistants, who are undergraduate and graduate students. In this lab. work, students learned how to dissect animal in accordance with animal welfare principles and studied the topography and anatomical structure of organs. They also observed histological slides of various organ types to gain a deeper understanding of the cellular and tissue components that make up an organ. At the end of the session, students visited the anatomy section of the Laboratory of Animal Structure and Development, where they observed preserved specimens of various animal species as well as skeletal structures. This activity is expected to enhance students’ practical skills and enrich their learning experience in biology while also supporting SDG 4 on quality education.

Furthermore, this initiative is also aimed at strengthening collaboration and the university’s role in supporting primary education from elementary to senior high school. By doing so, it contributes to the achievement of SDG 17, which focuses on partnerships for the goals.

The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with Western Sydney University (WSU), successfully conducted the International Summer Course (ISC) program in Setulang Village and the Tane Olen Community Forest, Malinau Regency, North Kalimantan. This program followed a series of academic and cultural exchanges held earlier in Yogyakarta and Tarakan.

On Sunday, January 26, 2025, ISC participants arrived in Malinau and continued their journey to Setulang Village. The UGM delegation included two faculty members ; Dr. Rury Eprilurahman and Mukhlish Jamal Musa Holle, M.Env.Sc, D.Phil. and six students. The WSU delegation, consisting of two staff members, Dr. John Hunt and Louise Graham, and 16 students.

The program commenced with a warm welcome from the Setulang community, featuring traditional dance performances and remarks from the Village Head, Mr. Saleh Wang. Field activities began the following day with observations of rice fields and home gardens owned by local residents, including an introduction to farming system and the diversity of plant species cultivated in the Mr. Philius’s home garden, a village elder.

On January 28, the program moved to the Tane Olen Community Forest, a lowland dipterocarp forest known for its rich biodiversity. Participants traveled by pickup and continued on foot along river trails to two basecamps: Lepo Kalung and Waterfall Basecamp. From January 28 to February 5, daily activities included birdwatching, jungle trekking, herpetofauna observation (herping), and thematic discussions with local guides and researchers.
Dr. Rury Eprilurahman led herpetofauna identification sessions and delivered a herpetology sharing session on January 29. On January 30, local guides introduced participants to useful plant species during a trek through riparian and hilly zones. That evening, an ethnobotany discussion was held between ISC participants and the local community.

A key highlight took place on February 1 with a dialogue involving village elder Mr. Philius, Village Head Mr. Saleh Wang, and forest management representatives Andrew and Ran. The discussion focused on the history of Setulang, community conservation efforts, and sustainable forest management practices in Tane Olen.

The ISC program concluded on February 5 with a closing ceremony in Setulang Village. The event was attended by the Subdistrict Head of South Malinau Hilir, village officials, and community leaders, and featured traditional dance performances by residents of all ages.

This international collaboration not only enhanced cross-cultural academic exchange but also embodied the principles of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land).

On Friday, 14th of February 2025 at 1-1.30 PM, Gentalk 1 is 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 the first Gentalk of this year, there are 3 speakers, which are Azizah Tyas Nugrahanty, S.Si., Lucia Arum Sekar Meysari, S.Si., and Tiara Putria Judith. Azizah Tyas Nugrahanty, S.Si and Lucia Arum Sekar Meysari, S.Si. are master students in the Faculty of Biology UGM batch 2023, while Tiara Putria Judith is a master student in the Faculty of Biology UGM batch 2024, all under the supervision of Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. for their undergraduate thesis.

This program started with an opening from the Master of Ceremony, Andreas Wibisono, as a part of the Scientific 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. In the speech, Mrs. Ganies express her hope for this program to be held more consistently and better so that this program can be a vessel for knowledge sharing and discussion for all Faculty of Biology’s students. The next activity is a presentation from all three speakers about “ Bioinformatics approach in genomic research : Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)” . This presentation contains the history of NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) which is a development from the previously known method, Sanger Sequencing. Unlike Sanger sequencing, NGS can detect the whole genome in a shorter time with high-throughput results. One of the applications for NGS is its usage for WGS (Whole Genome Sequencing). This presentation also introduced a website called usegalaxy as a free online platform for genome sequencing analysis. All participants are given a tutorial to access the website and follow instruction to analyse a sequence. After that, is the Q&A session followed by closing from the master of ceremony. With the success of the first Gentalk of this year, we hoped that this could be a good start to be a vessel for an interesting and beneficial discussion. We also hope that this program can give a better understanding about all the researches done by all the lecturers and their students in the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Biologi UGM. [Author: Formasigen]

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

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.

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).