Professor Isnansetyo received the award along with two other UGM lecturers: Dr. Rachma Wikandari from the UGM Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP UGM) and Professor Ika Dewi Ana from the UGM Faculty of Dentistry (FKG UGM).

Professor Isnansetyo won the Best Innovation Award for his innovation on a waste-free process for utilizing brown seaweed to control fish and shrimp disease and produce biofertilizers. 

“This innovation is inspired by Indonesia’s rich marine resources, which researchers or industries have not widely explored,” he told reporters on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.

According to him, brown seaweed (Phaeophyceae) contains a high alginate content and fucoidan. 

“Alginates can be applied in medicine, industry, food, feed, and fisheries,” he explained.

His research uses alginate and fucoidan compounds from brown seaweed for aquaculture. 

As a lecturer in the Department of Fisheries, Professor Isnansetyo uses alginates to enhance fish and shrimp immunity, while fucoidan improves fish vaccine effectiveness. 

“This research has produced several immunostimulant formulations based on alginate and fucoidan,” he said.

He hopes the research outcomes can be applied in the community by industries and fish farmers. 

The veterinary pharmaceutical industry can produce fish vaccines with adjuvants like fucoidan and immunostimulants. 

“These vaccines have been distributed to marine fish farmers to enhance fish immunity. We also collaborate with companies to commercialize these products,” he explained.

In the future, he hopes to continue the research to achieve more perfect results. 

One of his efforts is to upgrade the technology used to create vaccines and immunostimulants. 

Professor Isnansetyo revealed that his team had started developing nanoparticles in the form of nano-alginates and nanofucoidan. 

By creating nanoparticles, the effectiveness of the formulated products is expected to increase. 

“We aim to improve the quantity and quality of fishery production as a protein source to enhance public nutrition and health,” he said.

He acknowledged that his research utilizing brown seaweed is based on the concept of a zero-waste process. 

He is grateful for receiving the award for his research on brown seaweed utilization. 

In addition to the Hitachi Award, Professor Isnansetyo also received the 2023 Academic Leader in Maritime Affairs Award from the Directorate General of Higher Education. 

“I am proud to be part of UGM, as this award also reflects UGM’s nationally and internationally recognized reputation,” he added.

Author: Tiefany

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Lintang

Photographs by: Firsto & Antara

Artikel UGM Researcher Develops Fish and Shrimp Immunostimulants from Brown Seaweed pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

UGM Biology lecturer Dr. Ganies Riza Aristya is researching the fungus Rhodotorula glutinis, commonly known as red yeast, as an alternative energy source. 

This fungus can be found in various environments and isolated from air, soil, grass, lakes, seas, food, fruits, human skin, and human waste. 

This research aims to optimize the use of microorganisms for bioenergy production as a renewable energy source to replace fossil fuels.

Dr. Aristya mentioned the potential of red yeast as an alternative energy source. Red yeast has great potential due to its ability to accumulate and produce large amounts of lipids. 

“In some cases, lipid accumulation in R. glutinis can reach 72.4%, making it a potential lipid producer for energy sources,” she told reporters on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.

Its ability to produce large amounts of lipids comes from a biosynthetic pathway that allows this microorganism to convert various carbon sources into high-value compounds, including lipids or other biopolymers. 

The development of lipid products can go beyond biofuels to biopolymer products such as bioplastic polymers like polyhydroxybutyrate.

“Optimizing the synthesis of essential compounds in this red yeast can be done through process, genetic, or metabolic engineering,” he explained.

Dr. Aristya said the selection of red yeast or R. glutinis as research material is based on its ability to accumulate high levels of lipids, particularly triacylglycerol (TAG), which can be converted into energy in the form of biofuel. 

“R. glutinis was also chosen because of its ability to grow on various substrates,” he said.

Not stopping there, red yeast’s ability to produce lipids over 15% of its dry cell weight, it can also metabolize various compounds used as carbon sources, such as monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, organic acids, glycerol, raw materials, industrial by-products, and wastewater.

It is important to note that this fungus produces and accumulates lipids in large amounts when nitrogen is limited but carbon is sufficient. 

Under such conditions, the yeast redirects its metabolism to lipid biosynthesis as an energy reserve in the form of Triacylglycerol (TAG).

The resulting lipids can be extracted and converted into biodiesel as an energy source. 

“The lipids obtained from the yeast cells will be converted into biodiesel through transesterification, reacting TAG with methanol to produce biodiesel as fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). The biodiesel obtained can be used as energy,” she said.

Research on the genetic engineering of this microorganism has been ongoing for eight years. 

For this research, Dr. Aristya and her team received a research grant from the Indonesia Toray Science Foundation (ITSF) under the Science and Technology Research Grant (STRG) category. 

With her work titled ‘Yeast Bioengineering for Sustainable Lipid-Based Energy Production from Rhodotorula glutinis,’ Dr. Aristya was one of 18 recipients of the STRG-ITSF award in 2025 on Jan. 30 in Jakarta.

Author: Jelita Agustine  

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna Nurseisa Azrien

Artikel UGM Lecturer Studies Potential of Red Yeast for Alternative Energy Source pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This award was granted for her dedicated research on microprotein developed from soybean boiling water.

Dr. Wikandari has been conducting research on microproteins for approximately four years. According to her, microproteins are an alternative protein with nutritional content between meat and soybeans. 

Its amino acid content is also more complete than that of soybeans. Microprotein itself is made from the mycelium of tempeh mushrooms grown in a liquid medium. 

The harvested texture resembles dough, making it easy to shape into forms like meatballs or sausages. 

“However, there is still a need for development to make the texture of the harvested product similar to chicken meat,” Dr. Wikandari said on Tuesday (Feb. 4).

Regarding her expertise in food processing, Dr. Wikandari mentioned that this microprotein’s advantages go beyond its nutritional value. 

The production process is relatively short, taking just two days, and the yield can be up to one kilogram. Moreover, the reactor needed is only 1×1 meters in size, making it space-efficient. 

“The enzymes it contains can grow on various substrates, such as soybean boiling water,” she explained.

She added that in addition to its nutritional benefits, microprotein production can help address the waste problem generated by the tempeh industry and increase income for tempeh vendors. 

Currently, Dr. Wikandari is working on a sterilization model for the medium, and further research is being conducted on the reactor to simplify it for commercialization.

Dr. Wikandari’s research not only led her to win the Hitachi Award but also earned her several other awards, including the L’Oreal – Unesco for Women in Science National Fellowship 2024 Award Academy.

Dr. Wikandari noted that this award motivated her even more to continue making tangible contributions to society. She acknowledged that introducing this research to the public posed its challenges. 

The lecturer explained that Indonesian society tends to be resistant to new food products, a phenomenon known as food neophobia. However, the mushrooms used in microprotein are the same as those found in tempeh, so there is no need to be concerned about consuming microprotein products. 

“It does need to be cooked beforehand, as it contains RNA that could potentially cause gout, but the microprotein product is safe to consume, just like tempeh,” she said.

In December 2024, Dr. Wikandari introduced microprotein to the public by collaborating with a chef to prepare it as spaghetti. The public response was positive, and many enjoyed the microprotein dish. They remarked that its texture was similar to sausage.

Dr. Wikandari hopes that the research on alternative food potential she has developed can help solve societal problems by exploring and utilizing local food resources.

Author: Jelita Agustine

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photos by: Firsto and Shutterstock

Artikel Investigating Microprotein Benefits in Tempeh Mushrooms, Dr. Rachma Wikandari Wins Hitachi Award pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This is exemplified by the achievements of two of its alumni, Gerry Utama and Dr. Nugroho Imam Setiawan, who successfully explored Antarctica for international research missions.

UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia praised the two researchers’ accomplishments during a meeting on Monday (Feb. 2). 

She believes that the work of Dr. Nugroho and Gerry, as they are commonly called, will motivate other scientists in Indonesia. 

Professor Emilia stated that their success proves that Indonesia, particularly UGM, possesses human resources that are on par with those of other developed nations. She promised to encourage UGM’s involvement in further research and policies related to Antarctica. 

“Research is always dynamic. I think there will be a need for a laboratory or an Antarctic Study Center that we can develop because there’s great potential in this field. If we can contribute positively to the nation and the world, UGM will support it,” said Professor Emilia.

Regarding the Antarctic Treaty System, which 58 countries have signed, Professor Emilia acknowledged that much coordination is still required with the Indonesian government officials. 

The Antarctic Treaty is an important instrument for a country to actively participate in extensive exploration of Antarctica. 

Although Indonesia has yet to declare its readiness to sign the Antarctic Treaty, Professor Emilia stated that UGM is always prepared to support the process. 

“We need to speak directly with the government, and we will present the good points, what UGM has already done, and what needs to be prepared,” explained the rector.

Professor Emilia highlighted that UGM’s commitment to the Antarctic Treaty is part of the university’s effort to continuously contribute to global research that directly impacts environmental sustainability and climate change. 

By supporting the participation of Indonesian students and researchers in international scientific expeditions, UGM plays a crucial role in strengthening Indonesia’s position in managing the Antarctic region. 

“We want to raise awareness about the importance of Antarctica as an area that requires serious attention from the entire international community,” she concluded.

Gerry, an alumnus of UGM’s Faculty of Geography, became the first Indonesian and ASEAN citizen to participate in the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE) from February to July 2024 while pursuing his Master’s in Paleogeography at Saint Petersburg State University, Russia. 

During the expedition, Gerry researched geomorphology and paleogeography to reconstruct a new atlas of Russia’s King George Island. Gerry’s research is particularly significant in the context of global climate change, which is currently a major concern worldwide. 

“Aside from wood fossils, I also mapped moss with varying colors. This serves as an important indicator in understanding the climate dynamics in Antarctica and the world,” he emphasized.

Gerry (31), who became the youngest researcher in Indonesia’s mission to Antarctica, recounted that he and his team discovered a massive iceberg three days after the ship landed.

If reconstructed, the release of such a large iceberg from the ice sheet also indicates faster ice melt, which could disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems and pose greater threats to coastal habitats. 

“Indonesia should be more aware of this phenomenon since our country is largely composed of seas. Therefore, signing the Antarctic Treaty should be a priority,” he added.

Dr. Nugroho Imam Setiawan (43), a lecturer from the Department of Geological Engineering at the UGM Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM), participated in the Japan Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) from 2016 to 2017. 

During the expedition, he conducted research on the evolution of the Antarctic continent through the petrology study of methanol rocks, which are aged between 2.5 billion and 500 million years.

Dr. Nugroho successfully published seven international journals from his Antarctic mission, contributing to the global development of geological studies. 

Dr. Nugroho also brought home rock samples with a honeycomb structure, which he found in Antarctica, and has donated them to the UGM Biology Museum and the Bandung Geological Museum.

The first Indonesian geologist to research the Antarctic continent explained that Antarctica is a terra incognita, or land largely unknown to humans, so the research conducted there will undoubtedly provide important insights, especially in earth sciences. 

Echoing Gerry, Dr. Nugroho hopes the Indonesian government will pay more attention to natural phenomena occurring in Antarctica. 

“We must remember that Indonesia and Antarctica are not separate; we share the same summit ground. So, I believe it’s quite important for Indonesia to get involved in strategic issues like geopolitics and climate change to prepare for potential future scenarios,” he emphasized.

Author: Triya Andriyani

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel UGM Ready to Encourage Indonesia’s Participation in Antarctic Treaty pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This event takes place in two locations: at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, from Jan. 21-23, 2025, and continues in Tarakan, North Kalimantan, from Jan. 24 to Feb. 8, 2025.

16 WSU students, 6 UGM students, 3 WSU lecturers, and several UGM Biology lecturers attended the ISC opening. 

The event began with a report by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs of Biology UGM, who also serves as the Chairperson of the International Summer Course. 

“This activity is a follow-up to the collaboration between UGM and WSU, which has been established over the past few years,” said Dr. Suyono on Thursday (Jan. 30).

Professor John Charles Hunt, a representative from WSU, expressed hope that this event would continue and expand collaboration in research and academia. 

A similar sentiment was shared by Professor Puji Astuti, Director of Partnerships and Global Relations at UGM, who expressed appreciation for this collaboration, mentioning that this ISC is the second in January 2025 after the partnership with Monash University and UGM Vocational College (SV UGM). 

“I believe the focus of this summer course on biodiversity and environmental sustainability, as well as UGM’s role in supporting conservation efforts in Kalimantan and Papua, is highly relevant,” she said.

The Dean of Biology UGM, Professor Budi Setiadi Daryono, noted that Yogyakarta is a special place with its rich culture and natural resources and hoped that ISC participants would take advantage of the opportunity to explore various aspects during their time there.

The summer course participants visited the UGM Biology Museum, guided by Donan Satria, a lecturer in Animal Systematics at Biology UGM. They were enthusiastic about learning about the museum’s history, role, and collections.

The participants then engaged in field activities at the Marine Research Station of Biology UGM on Porok Beach, Gunungkidul. 

These activities included intertidal sampling and biodiversity observation at the beach, led by Dr. Rury Eprilurahman, who focused on animals, and Dr. Thoriq Teja Samudra, who focused on macroalgae. 

Martin Holland, WSU’s International Summer Course Coordinator, mentioned that this field trip served as a warm-up before the main summer course agenda in Tarakan, Kalimantan.

Professor Daryono stated that this ISC could strengthen the collaboration between WSU and Biology UGM, opening up opportunities for further cooperation in academics and research while contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. 

“With this spirit of collaboration, it is hoped that similar activities will continue and further strengthen the relationship between UGM and WSU, supporting conservation and nature preservation efforts in Indonesia and globally,” he concluded.

Report by: Biology UGM/Ichsan Risalba

Author: Jelita Agustine

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM and WSU Hold International Summer Course on Biodiversity in Gunungkidul and Tarakan pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Local authorities have evacuated more than 180,000 people, and the fire has claimed the lives of at least 28 people, destroyed thousands of homes, and burned tens of thousands of hectares of land. 

Recently, another wildfire occurred north of Los Angeles, consuming 8,000 hectares of land and prompting the evacuation of more than 19,000 people.

Professor Priyono Suryanto, a professor at the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, stated that the forest fires in Los Angeles warn the global community about the real impacts of climate change and global warming caused by deforestation. 

“The forest fires in California cannot be understood from a single perspective. The factors are not isolated but are an accumulation of complex issues in ultra-modern life,” said Professor Suryanto on Friday (Jan. 24).

He explained that natural infrastructure such as rivers, tributaries, hill performance, and habitat space is often neglected in modern life. Instead, modern infrastructure is built with the disregard of natural infrastructure. 

Yet, proper forest management and forestry practices that restore the balance of life are crucial. 

“As long as the rate of deforestation remains unchecked, and rehabilitation efforts are not accelerated, we are, in full awareness, awaiting ‘nature’s verdict’ through disasters like this,” he remarked.

He further added that forest fires and other disasters, such as floods and landslides, indicate that the harmony between humans and nature is imbalanced. 

“The increasing frequency and variety of natural disasters should serve as a clear alarm for us to return to living in harmony with the universe,” he emphasized.

The Faculty of Forestry lecturer also urged the public, the government, and private sectors to support climate change mitigation efforts to maintain the balance between humans and forests. 

“A new global awareness is needed that promotes global humanitarian actions, such as ecological charity. The ecological charity has been largely marginalized and, in extreme cases, completely ignored; when it does exist, it is only on a small scale,” said Professor Suryanto, the Chair of the Indonesian Agroforestry Society (MAFI).

Professor Suryanto explained that ecological charity goes beyond land rehabilitation programs or reforestation efforts. It should be expanded to include architectural designs that ensure the growth and development of natural instruments such as forests, rivers, and other natural habitat spaces.

Author: Tiefany

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photos: Bloomberg and Times of India

Artikel Los Angeles Wildfire Rages On: 180,000 Evacuated, UGM Expert Warns of Climate Crisis pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The conference, themed “Rethinking Sustainable Urban Development and Urban Futures in the Digital Age,” was supported by the Asian Urban Research Association (AURA) and UGM’s Faculty of Geography and successfully gathered 59 abstracts.

Thirty-one presenters and six participants from nine countries attended the conference, including Indonesia, the United States, Germany, Romania, France, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, and Taiwan. 

The event featured many international experts as keynote speakers, including Professor George Pomeroy, Executive Director of AURA and professor of geography and earth science at Shippensburg University, and Professor Rini Rachmawati, Director of CESASS UGM and professor of urban geography at UGM. 

Other speakers included Professor Frauke Kraas, Coordinator of the Forum for Urban Future in Southeast Asia and professor of urban development at the University of Cologne, and Professor Emeritus Debnath Mookherjee from Western Washington University, who delivered his presentation via video.

The conference also invited two speakers from Romania and France: Professor Liliana Dumitrache, a professor of human and economic geography at the University of Bucharest, and Professor Yves Boquet, a professor of transportation geography at the University of Bourgogne, France.

Professor Rini Rachmawati, Director of CESASS UGM, stated that the conference presenters and participants discussed strategic issues related to sustainable urban development through interactive scientific sessions. 

She described the discussions as important for strengthening academic exchange and international collaboration among researchers and practitioners. 

In addition to in-class discussions, conference participants were also invited to a field visit in Bali to observe sustainable urban development practices firsthand. 

“We all hope this experience enriches the conference outcomes by linking theoretical discussions with real-world implementation,” said Professor Rachmawati.

As the host, Professor Rachmawati expressed that CESASS UGM is committed to strengthening cross-country collaboration and addressing the challenges of sustainable urban and social development in the digital age. 

She emphasized that the conference demonstrated the critical role of academics in building inclusive and resilient urban futures. 

“We also hope that this event fosters closer ties across Southeast Asia and beyond,” she explained.

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM Holds International Conference on Sustainable Urban Development pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

In the field of geography and cartography, UGM’s Faculty of Geography secured first place, followed by IPB and UI in second and third place, respectively. 

ITB, Undip, Universitas Brawijaya, ITS, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Universitas Padjadjaran, and Universitas Sebelas Maret took 4th to 10th place.

Responding to this achievement, Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, Dean of UGM’s Faculty of Geography, expressed his gratitude, joy, and pride. 

According to him, this accomplishment reflects the faculty’s continuous improvement. However, this achievement is a collective effort from all colleagues, including lecturers, staff, students, alumni, and partners. 

“We are truly grateful to be an institution that has become a reference at the national level,” he stated on Thursday (Jan. 23).

Dr. Hadmoko also mentioned that the Faculty of Geography continually encourages its lecturers to engage in research collaborations to increase both the productivity and quality of research. He emphasized the importance of building a conducive research environment to achieve this goal.

He further added that this achievement is not considered the final goal but rather a bonus from the long process of the faculty’s tri-dharma (three pillars of higher education) to benefit society, including the central and regional governments, industries, and international partners.

The Faculty of Geography’s current research focuses on global issues with significant impacts, particularly on sustainable planet topics like climate, disasters, land degradation, migration, demographic shifts, resource management, smart cities, regional development, and the emerging trend of artificial intelligence (AI).

Dr. Hadmoko explained that AI supports the faculty’s research through advanced remote sensing technology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

The research is then divided into several research groups according to the lecturers’ interests, and the Faculty of Geography also incorporates the research into its teaching materials by including numerous use cases related to the latest issues. 

Dr. Hadmoko explained that this is done to improve the relevance of teaching materials to the current societal conditions. According to him, the curriculum must be dynamic and adjusted to societal needs.

“Teaching materials will always be valid and up to date when we include many use cases with current issues. So, the concepts developed in the classroom are validated with research data conducted by the lecturers,” he explained.

With this achievement, Dr. Hadmoko is determined to further improve the quality of the Faculty of Geography by implementing an international research network (IRN) to deepen relations with relevant partners both nationally and internationally. 

Additionally, he emphasized the importance of improving existing research and publications. According to him, a high-level institution’s reputation is determined by its research’s impact. 

“We continue to improve the quality of research, so it has a greater impact on society and industry,” he said.

Moreover, Dr. Hadmoko mentioned that this achievement is also a result of the contribution of alumni who remain connected with the Faculty of Geography. 

He views this as a significant strength. Through the alumni network, the faculty collaborates with their workplaces, opening up opportunities for students to intern there.

The Faculty of Geography also supports and encourages its alumni to pursue further studies, both domestically and abroad, by providing recommendations for scholarship applications from various sources.

He also hopes the public will provide input to help the Faculty of Geography grow and improve. He aspires for the faculty to play a greater role in solving societal problems in accordance with its competencies. 

“We want to build the widest possible collaborations with our external partners,” he stated.

Author: Leony

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel UGM’s Faculty of Geography Ranks 1st in Indonesia for Consistent Research on Sustainable Planet pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), as an active institution in environmental conservation and sustainable development, is intensifying its Zero Waste campaign by implementing independent waste management on campus.

UGM’s waste management efforts include promoting environmental preservation through guidelines for separating waste by type, reducing the use of Styrofoam food containers, encouraging personal tumblers, and motivating the academic community to maintain health through regular exercise.

Nurudin Basyori from the Facilities Maintenance Division, Directorate of Assets at UGM, stated that the university collects about 6-7 cubic meters of waste daily, transported in three trucks. 

“Every day, we transport 6-7 cubic meters of waste,” he said at the UGM Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT UGM) complex in Berbah, Sleman, on Wednesday (Jan. 22).

In line with the rector’s regulation, the waste collected is pre-sorted and placed in designated bins around the campus. 

“We do not collect unsorted waste,” he explained.

However, this directive is not always fully adhered to, as certain areas, such as Jalan Sekip, still mix waste, requiring workers to sort it. 

“Some areas comply, but not all,” he noted.

Although the Asset Directorate’s primary responsibility is waste collection, Basyori emphasizes the importance of sorting waste by type to the cleaning staff. He believes continuous education about waste sorting is essential.

Beyond maintaining campus cleanliness, UGM also engages in waste processing. 

“The sorted waste from faculties is transported to PIAT UGM,” he explained.

The sorted waste is processed at the PIAT UGM complex in Berbah. Organic waste, such as leaves, is turned into compost. 

“The resulting compost is used for gardens around the campus,” he added.

The Zero Waste campaign at UGM aims to reduce daily waste volume while facilitating waste collection and transforming it into something beneficial.

Pipit Noviyanti, who oversees waste processing activities at PIAT UGM, explained that the recycling innovation center processes three categories of waste from the UGM campus: leaf sweepings, branches, and mixed residual waste.

Leaf and branch waste is composted using windrow composting and composting bins. Residual waste undergoes manual sorting and shredding. 

“The organic waste output becomes compost, utilized for PIAT UGM’s internal environment and campus landscaping,” she explained.

There are three outputs for mixed shredded waste: organic pulp for composting, low-value plastics processed by third-party partners into building materials, and non-recyclable residual waste sent for final disposal.

To support waste sorting and processing, Noviyanti emphasized the need for collective responsibility among all stakeholders, including students, staff, and educators. 

“Our hope is for UGM to be free of unsorted waste, where all waste is properly separated by type,” she concluded.

Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel UGM Promotes Zero Waste Campaign through Independent Waste Management pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Gerry, as he is commonly called, arrived in Antarctica as part of the Russian Antarctica Expedition (RAE) mission, which took place from February to July 2024. 

At the time, Gerry was pursuing a Master’s program in Paleogeography at Saint Petersburg State University, Russia. 

“From the beginning of my studies, I was already offered to join the program, but we had to know what we would be researching,” said Gerry Wednesday (Jan. 22).

He chose to specialize in geomorphology and was an expert in radar interpretation. His participation in the Antarctica expedition made Gerry the first Indonesian and ASEAN national to join the RAE, which has been running for 69 editions. 

He departed with the RAE team aboard the Russian research vessel Akademik Tyroshnikov. The ship sailed for three weeks, stopping briefly in Cape Town, South Africa, before continuing to Antarctica.

Gerry and the RAE team were required to use helicopters for mobilization, with the research team returning to the ship daily. He was stationed at Mirny Station, one of the oldest monitoring stations in Antarctica.

Gerry’s research involved reconstructing a new atlas of King George Island for the Russian government. 

He simplified existing variables into geomorphological mapping that could be applied with specific characteristics. In addition, Gerry and his team discovered a 130-million-year-old wooden fossil. 

“This can prove that Antarctica was once covered in greenery, just like other parts of the Earth,” said the Geography and Environmental Science alumnus.

The unpredictable conditions in Antarctica required careful work planning. According to Gerry, even shower schedules had to be regulated, and time was reset daily, meaning the day’s hours could shift forward or backward. 

Gerry added that the direction of the Qibla also changed daily. Strong winds reaching up to 300 km/h further aggravated these conditions, often forcing Gerry and his team to spend nights at the station.

Dr. Nugroho Imam Setiawan, a lecturer in the Department of Geological Engineering at UGM, also faced challenges during his exploration of Antarctica from November 2016 to March 2017. 

Dr. Nugroho, as we refer to him, often experienced persistent itching and had to take daily medication to prevent allergic reactions. The situation worsened due to the absence of heating in the tents, which forced him to wear three layers of clothing at all times.

“We couldn’t even take a shower,” Dr. Nugroho joked.

Even the feces produced had to be brought back, as the extreme temperatures prevented decomposer bacteria from surviving. The feces were later brought back to the ship and incinerated.

Dr. Nugroho never imagined he would set foot on the southernmost continent on Earth. His journey began in 2010 when he pursued his PhD in Japan. 

Japan, a country that regularly conducts expeditions and invites other Asian researchers to Antarctica through the Japan Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE), presented this opportunity. 

He applied to the program in 2011, but it was canceled after the March 2011 tsunami struck Japan. 

“I had already applied, but the program was closed, and the funds were redirected for post-tsunami recovery,” said Dr. Nugroho.

He was only contacted again in 2015, after completing his doctoral program, and promptly underwent a selection process involving an interview and health check. He then joined five Japanese researchers and two others from Mongolia and Thailand.

Being a researcher in Antarctica meant preparing for all possible scenarios. For a month, he underwent intensive training on using equipment in the snow, dressing appropriately, surviving in emergencies, setting up tents, cooking, and managing sanitation.

Antarctica’s conditions are vastly different from those found anywhere else in the world. He remembered Antarctica as not feeling like part of Earth due to its pristine whiteness stretching as far as the eye can see.

“I joined an eight-member geology team. At that time, Antarctica was in summer, so the sun shone 24 hours a day, with nighttime temperatures of around -5 degrees and daytime temperatures of -2 degrees,” he recalled.

The silence added to the surreal atmosphere. Dr. Nugroho remembered hearing only his team’s voices and the sounds of melting ice due to climate change, occasionally encountering penguins and Weddell seals.

The entire JARE 58 team comprised 80 members, 35 of whom were researchers. The research was divided into ten topics: meteorology, atmospheric science, terrestrial biology, oceanography, geophysics, geodesy, and geology. The study lasted four months, from Nov. 27, 2016, to Mar. 22, 2017. 

However, according to Dr. Nugroho, effective research could only take place for 30 days due to the extreme weather conditions. Frequent windstorms forced the research team to wait for better conditions.

Dr. Nugroho explained that the geology team’s daily routine involved collecting metamorphic rock samples from various research locations. They explored eight geological survey points: Akebono, Akarui, Tenmodai, Skallevikhalsen, Rundvageshtta, Langdove, West Ogul, and Mt. Riiser Larsen. 

“We sought to uncover metamorphic rocks, the oldest rocks on Earth, dating back 3.8 billion years, found in Antarctica. We aimed to reconstruct and detail previously existing data on Antarctica’s metamorphic rocks, including their composition, age, and the processes that formed them,” he explained.

During the expedition, he encountered only two types of rocks at the research locations: metamorphic and granitoid rocks, or a combination of both, known as migmatite. Rocks with a honeycomb structure, formed by wind erosion in the dry climate, were also commonly found. 

Dr. Nugroho noted that the rocks he found were similar to those in Sri Lanka. According to him, Antarctica and Sri Lanka once comprised the same landmass.

Gerry and Dr. Nugroho’s participation in exploring Antarctica as UGM alumni marks their names in history, as only four Indonesians have ever set foot there. 

This notable achievement contributes to UGM’s vision of becoming a global university. Both expressed hope that their efforts would not end with them. 

“I hope other UGM friends can continue to Antarctica,” Gerry said.

He also hoped that the Indonesian government would take an interest in Antarctica, which is located in the same ocean as Indonesia. He mentioned that everyone needs to know that when Antarctica faces challenges, the whole world, including Indonesia, will be indirectly affected. 

Therefore, Indonesia should establish a dedicated Antarctic research institution to be present and directly study Antarctica.

Echoing Gerry’s sentiments, Dr. Nugroho urged UGM and Indonesia to respond quickly to strategic issues like geopolitics and climate change, which are closely linked to Antarctica’s current existence. 

“Antarctica is like a time machine that stores the Earth’s past and could provide information to address future challenges, so we need to be prepared,” Dr. Nugroho concluded.

Author: Lazuardi

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photos: Gerry & Nugroho

Artikel UGM Alumni Gerry & Nugroho Advance Research Through Antarctica Exploration pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.