Yogyakarta, September 2024 — The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), is proud to announce that 7 students from the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) class of 2022 have officially enrolled in the double degree program at Leeds University, United Kingdom, starting in the September 2024 academic period. This significant achievement highlights the Faculty’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality education with a global perspective./div>

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.

The 37th National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS), held from October 14 to 18, 2024, at Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, carried the theme “Competing to Hone the Creativity of Indonesia’s Talented Students into Solution-Oriented, Innovative, and Productive Individuals.” This event serves as the pinnacle of national-scale student scientific activities, providing a platform for scholarly interactions, knowledge exchange, and communication of innovative creations among students.

The UGM Biocane PKM-RE Team, led by Tiara Putria Judith from the Faculty of Biology UGM, along with Salfa Athallah Agtari Nabillah (Biology 2021), Thoriq Abdul Halim (Biology 2021), Fahmi Arsyad (Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering 2021), and Hernita Fika Ardiyati (Food and Agricultural Product Technology 2022). Under the guidance of Dr. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., the team presented research titled “Innovation of DNA Barcoding as Molecular Detection for the Enhancement of Superior Genetic Screening in Local Indonesian Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.).” Their project earned Second Place, equivalent to a Silver Award, in the Poster category of PKM-RE-4.

The poster served as an optimized medium for information transfer, allowing the Biocane Team to convey their research findings visually. Through a combination of images and concise text, the poster effectively communicated the ideas and research outcomes, engaging the audience in a deeper discussion. This interaction facilitated new insights into the advantages of DNA barcoding as an approach to overcome the limitations of conventional identification methods in selecting potential parental hybrids of sugarcane in Indonesia. In line with the theme of the 37th PIMNAS, which emphasizes innovation and productivity, the Biocane Team aims to provide solution-driven and innovative advancements for the agricultural sector. It is hoped that this achievement will serve as a stepping stone for even more brilliant research explorations in the future.

Kulon Progo, October 10, 2024—The Community Service Program (PkM) Team under DRTM Scheme Partnership of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Faculty of Biology UGM led by Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. together with the student team members consisting of R. Hanindyo Adi, S.Si., M.Sc., Aryo Setyo Pandu Wiranto, S.Si., M.Sc., Puji Lestari S.Pd., Syefrina Rosyada, S.Si., and Kaifa Salwa Arrahma together with Omah JAMTRA partners, namely Mr. Yunianto Hargo Nugroho, S.Hut, Mrs. Nurdiana Setianingsih, Mrs. Suparti, and Mr. Sunu held insect knowledge training and brainstorming activities with the community of Crangah Hamlet, Hargotirto Village, Kokap Sub-district, Kulon Progo Regency to explore the potential as an entomology-based tourist village.

In this activity, the team together with Omah JAMTRA partners visited the house of Mr. Tukino as the Head of RT 47 Crangah Hamlet as a gathering place for the community. This activity was attended by residents of Crangah Hamlet totaling around 35 people, as well as community leaders including the Head of RT, Head of Hamlet, and representatives of the Hargotirto Village.

This activity was guided by Puji Lestari S.Pd as the host and continued with remarks by community leaders. Furthermore, in the core session, material was delivered entitled “Endangered Insect Conservation: Potential of Entomology Eduventure-Based Tourism Village” by Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D.

The activity was continued with a discussion and brainstorming session related to the potential of Padukuhan Crangah as a tourism village. In addition, this session also held a sharing session with the manager of Omah JAMTRA, namely Mr. Yunianto Hargo Nugroho, S.Hut who provided his knowledge and insight regarding the cultivation of Samia silkworms which he has been doing for years. The series of activities were closed with lunch with residents and joint documentation.

This introduction and potential exploration activity went smoothly and the team was received with great enthusiasm by the residents. Through the presentation of this material and brainstorming, it is hoped that good cooperation will be established between Padukuhan Crangah as a place for the conservation of rare insects as well as a tourism village based on entomology eduventures.

This community service activity is expected to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, namely No Poverty; Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; and Partnership for the Goal.

The Indonesian Student Research Olympiad (OPSI) is one of the routine activities organized by the National Achievement Center, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Indonesia. OPSI aims to encourage student innovation and creativity in the field of scientific research. In 2024, one of the teams from Pangudi Luhur High School had the opportunity to participate in this event with team leader Pricillia Nines Wahyu Pramesti and member Alexandria Milan Handara Kurniawati. They carried out a study entitled “Comparative Test of the Effectiveness of Anticoagulant Simargaol-gaol Leaf Extract (Aglonema modestum) with Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid (EDTA) on the Anticoagulant Power of Mice’s (Mus musculus L.) Blood”. This research was conducted in May-August 2024 and the final stage and announcement were on October 10, 2024.

The team works under the guidance of a lecturer from the Faculty of Biology, UGM Dr. Ardaning Nuriliani, S.Si., M.Kes. and is also accompanied by school supervisor Vincensia Prema Kristivani, S.Pd., and student supervisor Tabitha Andrea Putri (student of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UGM). Guidance from UGM’s lecturer is expected to provide Pangudi Luhur High School students with solid guidance in designing and implementing high-quality research. In this guidance, students gain in-depth knowledge of research methods, data analysis, and how to present scientific findings professionally. The presence of academics from leading universities such as UGM is a significant added value, providing a broader scientific perspective while motivating students to be more enthusiastic in developing their creative ideas. This collaboration also reflects the importance of synergy between secondary and higher education in producing a young generation that is highly competitive in the fields of science and technology. This is in line with SDGs no. 4 concerning the development of quality education.

Five students from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, namely Maidira Marsa Rabbani, Laras Ati, Dinda Luthfiani Nurul Ulya, Manika Rosalia Lysander, and Raja Steve Sudjatmiko Panggabean, joined representatives from the Vocational School, the Faculty of Economics and Business, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, and the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, UGM, to participate in discussions and training on marine debris management in the event titled “Indonesia Marine Debris Social Issue Resident Participation Awareness Improvement Capacity Building Project.” In addition to the students, this one-week event (October 14-18, 2024) was also attended by leaders and lecturers from the Vocational School, heads and staff from the UGM Directorate of Community Service (DPKM), and one of the Faculty of Biology’s lecturers, Zuliyati Rohmah, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D. Eng., who is also a member of the KKN-PPM UGM taskforce and RCE Yogyakarta.

This event is part of a multipartite collaboration between the Vocational School, RCE Yogyakarta (under the Directorate of Community Service at UGM), RCE Tongyeong, and the Gyeongnam International Development Cooperation Center (GNIDCC) of Gyeongsang National University, South Korea. The project focuses on raising awareness and building the capacity of local communities in managing marine debris in Yogyakarta.

One of the programs carried out was training and capacity-building activities involving the communities of Karangwuni Village and Bugel Village, Kulonprogo, D.I. Yogyakarta. This project aims to raise community awareness and knowledge about the impact of marine debris and how to manage it effectively. The event also includes seminars, workshops, and community training as part of the efforts to strengthen commitment to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and better environmental management. This collaboration will not stop here but will continue with further training involving local residents and village leaders. The program will discuss concrete solutions to the marine debris problem in Yogyakarta and will involve more participants from various backgrounds.

This cooperation is also part of UGM’s commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of education, community empowerment, and the environment. This activity supports several SDGs, including SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. By engaging collaboration between various institutions, both local and international, this project aims to create a significant impact on marine debris management.

On Friday, October 11, 2024, the Faculty of Biology at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) held the third day of Biocapture (Biology Career Preparation for the Future) in the Tropical Biology Auditorium. The event commenced at 1:30 PM, guided by Feliciana Clara Henderison as moderator.

The first session, “Leaderless Group Discussion,” featured Arief Pratomo Manunggal as the speaker. This session discusses critical and analytical thinking, leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making. The session concludes by awarding certificates and mementos to the speaker.

The second session featured reflections and feedback from the participants and concluded with closing remarks delivered by the Deputy Chair of Biocapture 2024, Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D.

On Thursday, October 10, 2024, the Faculty of Biology at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) held the second day of Biocapture (Biology Career Preparation for the Future) in the Tropical Biology Auditorium. The event commenced at 1:30 PM, guided by Soen Eliora Valerie Natania as moderator.

The first session, “How to Kick Off Your First Interview,” featured Susana Nur Kusumaningsing as the speaker. This session addressed key preparations required before attending a job interview, encompassing aspects from mindset to appropriate attire. It also provided insights into the interview process from recruiters’ perspectives, enabling participants to better understand their expectations.

The second session, facilitated by Chandra Gupyta, continued the discussion from the previous day on “CV Lab: Tailoring Your Profile for Every Opportunity.” This session featured practical simulations, where participants were required to bring their pre-prepared CVs. Participants then organized into pairs to peer review each other’s CVs. This activity allowed participants to discern the strengths and areas for improvement in their CVs and offered constructive feedback for enhancement.

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.

A team of students from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, made another brilliant achievement by winning the Silver Medal in the prestigious 3rd International Conference of Biological Science (ICoBioS) 2024. The achievement was in line with the theme “Recent Updates in Bioinformatics, Synthetic Biology, and Nanobio Science for a Better Future” held at Brawijaya University, Malang, on September 27-28, 2024. This achievement emphasizes UGM’s position in the global scientific arena, especially in innovation and the latest advances in biological science. The team from the Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada, consisting of Thoriq Abdul Halim, Tiara Putria Judith, and Salfa Athallah Agtari Nabillah, students of class 2021 under the guidance of Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., presented a research entitled “Comparative Analysis of DNA Barcodes Based on Nuclear and Chloroplast Genes for Phylogenetic Reconstruction of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in Java Island.”

In its presentation, the team discussed the importance of sugarcane (S. officinarum L.) production, which contributes 80% to global sugar production. Although Java Island supplies 61% of national production, Indonesia only produced 2.23 million tons of sugar in 2019, while imports reached 5.46 million tons in 2021, mostly from Thailand. The low yield of sugarcane is caused by the narrowing of genetic diversity due to domestication. Challenged by the complexity of the genome and the difficulty in distinguishing morphological characters, this team used DNA barcoding techniques to analyze genetic variation in sugarcane nucleus and chloroplast DNA. This research aims to identify intra- and interspecific genetic variation among sugarcane cultivars as an effort to improve the identification of superior varieties, agricultural productivity and food security in Indonesia.

The theme and objectives of this research are in line with UGM’s SDGs, particularly in supporting point 2 on ending hunger and improving food security, and point 12 which focuses on sustainable production and consumption, through efforts to increase sugarcane productivity and reduce dependence on sugar imports in Indonesia.