Yogyakarta, November 14, 2024 – The second day of the Faculty of Biology UGM Research Day 2024 achieved remarkable success, drawing more than 300 visitors. The Biology Exhibition, a key highlight of this annual event, captivated attendees, including students, academics, and members of the public.

Held at Building B of the Faculty of Biology, the exhibition showcased innovations, research findings, and cutting-edge biological instruments. Spanning topics such as functional and developmental biology, environmental biology and biodiversity, and molecular biology and biotechnology, the event featured detailed presentations at each booth. Visitors had the unique opportunity to engage directly with experts, who provided in-depth explanations about advanced research instruments and methodologies.

In addition to the exhibition, the second day of Research Day included Mini Workshops hosted in collaboration with partners specializing in state-of-the-art research instruments. These sessions offered participants insights into the latest breakthroughs and technologies in biological research. The workshop allowed attendees to hands-on practice using advanced tools under the guidance of experienced instructors. Featured instruments included genetic analysis tools, advanced microscopy systems, and software for biological data analysis and statistical modeling. Participants, comprising students, young researchers, and biology practitioners, were able to explore these tools in depth, gaining valuable practical skills and understanding their applications in scientific research.

The workshops aimed to develop participants’ practical competencies in utilizing advanced technologies essential for biological research. Through hands-on activities, attendees not only learned the operational mechanisms of these tools but also explored effective ways to integrate them into their own research projects.

Beyond presenting research outcomes, Research Day serves as a platform to strengthen collaborations among academics, industry professionals, and the broader community. The Faculty of Biology at UGM aspires to make this event a cornerstone for advancing scientific knowledge and innovation in the biological sciences.
[Prepared by the Research Day Committee]

Dr. Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan, M.S., Ph.D., a lecturer at the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has accepted the invitation of Jakarta Montessori School (JMS) to be a speaker at the Career Day event held on Thursday, November 14, 2024. Jakarta Montessori School is known as a center of excellence for Montessori schools. This school is a Montessori School that is fully accredited by the Montessori Evaluation and Accreditation Board, London, and has received Accreditation for Toddlers to Junior High Schools from the Indonesian National Accreditation Board. This school is affiliated with the International Montessori Council in the United States and works closely with The Montessori Foundation and their Lab School – NewGate Montessori IB School. All of its principal teachers have an International Montessori Diploma.

On this occasion, Dr. Tyas gave a presentation on Career Prospect and Registration in the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) of the Faculty of Biology UGM. The presentation, which was attended by students, parents, and representatives from various overseas campuses, discussed various career opportunities that can be achieved through education at the Faculty of Biology UGM, as well as the registration procedures and benefits of participating in an international program at one of the leading faculties in Indonesia. Dr. Tyas also explained the various advantages of the UGM Biology IUP, including educational facilities, international-based curriculum, and research opportunities that can be accessed by international students.

In addition, the Career Day event held at the Jakarta Montessori School was also attended by a number of representatives from leading overseas universities who also opened booths to provide further information to students about various global education and career opportunities.

The event closed with a boothwalk session, where students had the opportunity to interact directly with campus representatives, and explore further about various education and career opportunities at the international level.

Batam, November 10, 2024 — The Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) actively participated in the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of MIPAnet 2024, held from November 7 to 10 at the Batam Polytechnic. The UGM delegation was led by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., accompanied by the Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc. This participation reflects UGM’s commitment to strengthening collaborative networks among faculties of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), and Faculty of Science and Mathematics (FSM) across Indonesia.

This year’s MIPAnet Rakernas focused on evaluating past programs and planning future initiatives for 2024. The event was attended by deans from various universities in Indonesia who are part of the MIPAnet network, along with its management team. The forum served as a platform for discussion and coordination to enhance synergy in higher education, particularly in the fields of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

The Rakernas activities kicked off with a campus visit and discussions at Batam Polytechnic, followed by a series of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) on developing flagship programs. The next day, the agenda continued with a review of activities and program planning led by the Secretary-General of MIPAnet, Prof. Dr. Eng. Kuwat Triyana, M.Si.

Key topics discussed during this Rakernas included strategic issues such as the development of start-ups and collaboration in business incubators, as well as university governance before and after attaining PTNBH (State University with Legal Entity) status. The discussions also covered strategies to increase student interest in the MIPA fields and optimize funding from endowment funds. These sharing sessions and discussions culminated in the formulation of recommendations, guided by the Executive Secretary of MIPAnet, Prof. Drs. Budi Pratikno, M.Stat.Sci., Ph.D.

The 2024 MIPAnet Rakernas concluded with a gala dinner that strengthened the bonds between member institutions. The UGM Faculty of Biology delegation appreciated this event as a vital opportunity to expand collaborative networks and foster inter-institutional partnerships. It is hoped that the outcomes of this Rakernas will enhance MIPAnet’s role in advancing education and research in the MIPA fields, supporting a shared vision towards the progress of science and technology in Indonesia.

Yogyakarta, 4 November 2024 – Faculty of Biology UGM received a visit from Medical Bioinformatics Expert from National Central University (NCU), Taiwan, Dr. Hui-Yin Chang. The visit took place at the Faculty of Biology UGM, attended by Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc. as Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs. Also present were several lecturers with a focus on biomedical research, including Dr.biol.hom. Nastiti Wijayanti from the Animal Physiology Laboratory, Dr.rer.nat. Abdul Rahman Siregar, M.Biotech from the Microbiology Laboratory, and Tyas Iksan Hikmawan, Ph.D. from the Biochemistry Laboratory, as well as an NCU alumni and researcher at the Integrated Genome Factory (IGF) Faculty of Biology, Raden Aditya Aryandi, M.Sc.

Dr. Eko as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs welcomed the visit. He said that the Faculty of Biology had established good communication and initiated cooperation since Prof. Chien-Chia Wang, Dean for College of Health Sciences & Technology, NCU Taiwan some time ago. Dr. Eko also conveyed the profile of the Faculty of Biology, from study program profiles, facilities to international collaborations that are ongoing to date.

Dr. Hui-Yin Chang appreciated the opportunity for discussion and explained information about the Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering. She conveyed the potential for collaboration with experts and professors in the fields of bio-engineering, bio-materials, bio-medicine and bio-informatics. This matter was also discussed with lecturers at the Faculty of Biology who have research related to biomedicine. Dr. Chang expressed her enthusiasm for collaborative projects that could be initiated either with her in the field of bioinformatics, or with other NCU professors.

In this discussion, student exchange collaboration with the potential for double degrees with the College of Health Science and Technology NCU was also initiated. Experts from both institutions can also work together in guiding students through joint supervision, as well as collaborative research and publications through joint publications and joint authorship.

The collaboration between the Faculty of Biology UGM and NCU is expected to be part of the Faculty of Biology’s commitment to its role in sustainable development in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely healthy living (SDG 3), inclusive quality education for all groups (SDG 4), as well as partnerships in achieving sustainable goals (SDG 17).

Students from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), achieved a remarkable achievement by winning third place in the UBIQUINON 2024 Scientific Writing Competition. This prestigious event, themed “The INCREDIBLE of Biochemistry: INtelligent, CREative, and DIstant Beyond the Limit of Biochemistry,” was organized by the Community of Research and Education in Biochemistry (CREBs) at Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) on September 21–22, 2024.

The UGM team, consisting of Nisa Abidah and Almas Lathifatul Ula, class of 2021, presented their scientific work titled “Future Therapeutic Development Based on Mutation Trend Analysis and Design of Antibiotic Resistance Detection to Prevent the Superbug Gonorrhea Phenomenon.” The research, supervised by Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan, S.Si., M.S., Ph.D., addresses the critical challenge of antibiotic resistance, focused on gonorrhea, one of the most dangerous superbugs. The study proposes innovative future solutions through the development of diagnostic tools for detecting antibiotic resistance.

UBIQUINON 2024 aimed to enhance understanding of biochemistry’s pivotal role as a foundational science for numerous applied disciplines. The event consisted of two main segments: Competitions in three categories—Scientific Writing, Essay, and Infographics and UBITALK, a seminar discussing cutting-edge issues in applied biochemistry.
The competition attracted dozens of submissions, with only 15 finalists selected from leading universities across Indonesia, including Universitas Indonesia (UI), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), Universitas Hang Tuah, and Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP).

The overarching theme of UBIQUINON 2024 explored sub themes such as Renewable Energy Applications, Biotechnology, and Medicine. The UGM team’s work fell under the medical subtheme, showcasing a groundbreaking approach to combating antibiotic resistance.

This achievement highlights not only the innovative capacity of UGM’s Faculty of Biology students but also their commitment to advancing impactful scientific knowledge, particularly in addressing global health challenges. The success reinforces UGM’s dedication to supporting the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting health and fostering sustainable scientific advancements.

A student team from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), class of 2022, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Andhika Puspito Nugroho, S.Si., M.Si., achieved a remarkable achievement at the 2024 Science Event (SCEVENT) Essay Competition organized by the Scientific Reasoning Student Unit (UKM Penalaran) of Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember.

During the final presentation on Sunday, October 27, 2024, The OTW team, led by Avriena Lintang Aulia Riefa’i and team members Fatiha Esti Murwani and Nova Nana Nadiya, presented “The Potential of Acinetobacter sp. and Sphingomonas sp. Biofilms for Reducing Metal Contaminants in Optimizing Potable Water Quality.” The essay addressed the poor quality of drinking water due to metal contaminants such as iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn), that lead to metallic tastes and odors in drinking water. Beyond discomfort, these contaminants pose health risks if present in concentrations exceeding safe limits. The team proposed an innovative solution by utilizing biofilms formed by metal-oxidizing bacteria, Acinetobacter sp. and Sphingomonas sp., as bioremediation agents by modifying water filtration systems in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) to optimize the filtration process.

With this concept, the OTW team developed a biofilm-mediated bioremediation system for domestic applications. Their innovative approach earned them first place, triumphing over 47 competing teams.This outstanding achievement inspires other students to continually develop creative ideas and practical solutions to address diverse challenges, thereby contributing to support the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The OTW team aspires for their innovation to lay the groundwork for future advancements in potable water filtration methods, specifically through microbial biofilm utilization. Aligned with SDG Goal 6, “Clean Water and Sanitation for All,” this initiative underscores the importance of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of clean water for everyone.

On Saturday, September 28, 2024, the Marine Study Group (KSK) of the Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada organized the Kopdar Alumni 2024, themed “Developing Career and Further Study Plans.” This event took place at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Biology, UGM, attended by KSK Biogama members from various cohorts.

The speakers featured in this event were Basith Kuncoro Adji, S.Si., M.Sc. from the University of Birmingham, and Muhammad Arief Budhiman, S.Si. from Pertamina Foundation. They shared insights regarding their experiences after graduation, discussing topics related to further studies and career paths in environmentally focused industries. Their presentations included information on study pathways, career opportunities, and essential skills for Biology students.

The event involved guided group discussions organized by the committee. Participants were divided into small groups to create mind maps regarding their career or further study plans. These mind maps were required to encompass information on the skills needed, career objectives, and strategies to achieve them. This group discussion lasted for 30 minutes, during which participants actively exchanged ideas and visualized their thoughts through mind mapping.

Following the group discussions, each group presented their mind maps to the speakers and the audience. The speakers provided feedback and suggestions regarding the steps that could be taken to achieve their planned career or further study goals.
The event concluded with the presentation of mementos to the speakers in appreciation of their participation and the knowledge they shared, followed by a group photo session with all participants, both in-person and online.

Biology students at Universitas Gadjah Mada made another achievement by winning a silver medal at the 3rd International Conference of Biological Sciences (ICoBioS) 2024. The conference, held by Universitas Brawijaya on September 27-28, 2024, had the theme “Recent Update in Bioinformatics, Synthetic Biology, and Nanobio Science for Better Future.” This success strengthens UGM’s standing in the international scientific community, particularly in driving innovation and progress in modern biological sciences. This achievement was achieved by Thoriq Abdul Halim, Tiara Putria Judith, and Salfa Athallah Agtari Nabillah students from the 2021 cohort, under the guidance of Dr. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., presented research titled “Comparative Analysis of DNA Barcodes Based on Nuclear and Chloroplast Genes for Phylogenetic Reconstruction of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in Java Island.”

In their presentation, the team discussed the importance of sugarcane (S. officinarum L.) production, which contributes to 80% of global sugar production. Despite Java Island supplying 61% of the national output, Indonesia only produced 2.23 million tons of sugar in 2019, while imports reached 5.46 million tons in 2021, mainly from Thailand. The low sugarcane yield is due to the narrowing of genetic diversity caused by domestication. Given the complexity of the genome and the difficulty in distinguishing morphological characteristics, the team utilized DNA barcoding techniques to analyze genetic variation in nuclear DNA and chloroplast DNA of sugarcane. This research aims to identify intra- and interspecific genetic variation among sugarcane cultivars as part of efforts to improve varietal identification, agricultural productivity, and food security in Indonesia.

The theme and goals of this research align with UGM’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs No.2 on ending hunger and enhancing food security, and SDGs No.12, which focuses on sustainable production and consumption through efforts to increase sugarcane productivity and reduce dependence on sugar imports in Indonesia.

Bogor, October 23, 2024, A public consultation was held to discuss the Proposal for the Reinstatement of Protected Status for Aquatic Biota listed in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Regulation (Permen LHK) No. P.106 of 2018. The event was organized by the Directorate General of Marine Spatial Management of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) at the Luminor Hotel in Bogor, and attended by various stakeholders, experts, and representatives from relevant institutions. The consultation addressed the transition of authority over protected wildlife management from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP).

In this meeting, Dr. Amir Hamidy, M.Sc., Director of the Secretariat for Animal Conservation and Innovation (SKIKH), and Ir. Pingkan Katharina Roeroe, M.Si., Head of the Fish Species Protection and Conservation Team at the Directorate of Marine Conservation and Biodiversity, PRL Directorate General of KKP, served as the primary presenter. They emphasized the importance of re-evaluating Indonesia’s aquatic biota protection status. The presentation included policies aligned with legal developments and current conservation needs, particularly following Law No. 32 of 2024, an amendment to Law No. 5 of 1990 on Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Ecosystems.

A key topic discussed was the shift in management authority over protected wildlife from KLHK to KKP. Participants offered insights and recommendations to support a smooth and effective transition process. Dr. Rury Eprilurahman, representing the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), contributed significant input, emphasizing the need for clear species identification in state documents and effective management during inter-ministerial authority transfer. He highlighted that accurate identification and sustainable management are critical in protecting aquatic mammals and reptiles categorized as protected species.

The meeting concluded with a signed statement of agreement, which included critical points to guide further discussions regarding the transfer of authority and the management of protected species.

This event underscored the commitment of various parties to ensuring the sustainability of Indonesia’s marine and aquatic ecosystems, safeguarding protected aquatic species in compliance with current regulations.

The public consultation on the proposed revision of aquatic biota protection status also addressed several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 14: Life Below Water, SDG 15: Life on Land, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Through this event, Indonesia demonstrated its commitment to achieving the SDGs, focusing on environmental conservation and the sustainable management of natural resources.

Biology students at Universitas Gadjah Mada (S1) made another achievement by winning first place at the national-level Biology Learning Festival Essay Competition organized by Universitas Siliwangi on October 17, 2024. This achievement was achieved by a team chaired by ASyafira Nurul Aisya (Biology 2021) and its member Fadlilah Rahma Julianty (Biology 2021) under the guidance of Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Andhika Puspito Nugroho, S.Si., M.Si.

The team presented ”Study on the Potential of Pseudomonas, Agrobacterium, Sulfolobus, and Alteromonas as Biodegradation Agents for Chlorpyrifos Contamination through a Molecular Docking Approach,” competing against 11 teams from various universities across Indonesia. The research was motivated by the issue of increased pest incidence due to climate change, which increased chlorpyrifos insecticide usage, resulting in environmental contamination. Chlorpyrifos contamination in agricultural and plantation settings poses risks to ecosystems and human health, necessitating its degradation into environmentally safe products through bioremediation processes.

“We explored microorganisms capable of degrading chlorpyrifos insecticides and evaluated them in silico to identify potential candidates that could serve as bioremediation agents,” said Syafira.

Through this research, Syafira and Fadlilah hope to lay the groundwork for further studies on developing microorganism-based biodegradation methods, particularly in addressing chlorpyrifos insecticide pollution, which remains a challenge in various agricultural and plantation sectors in Indonesia. The further development of this study is anticipated to provide eco-friendly solutions to address the challenges of hazardous chemical contamination. They also hope this work can be patented as a commercial biodegradation technology applicable across various industrial and agricultural sectors.

This achievement not only brings pride to the team but also motivates other students to continue developing innovative solutions to environmental issues. Additionally, it encourages the UGM Faculty of Biology to persist in supporting sustainable, relevant, and practical research.