The Graduate School (SPs) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continues to encourage its students to innovate through various academic activities and multidisciplinary research.
Gabriel Aryo Wicaksono (Aryo), one of the students, shared how the program motivates students by bringing in guest lecturers from diverse backgrounds, including from BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency) and the Faculty of Dentistry at UGM.
“Collaboration with researchers such as Ms. Gusnaniar, M. Biotech, Ph.D., and Drg. Isti Rahayu S, M.Biotech., Sp.Rad.O.M(K)., Ph.D. opens up opportunities for practical biomedical research,” he said.
Aryo, who has an undergraduate background in Electrical Engineering, focuses on developing biomedical instrumentation, particularly AI-based microscopy systems for detecting tuberculosis (TB) bacteria.
“AI plays a significant role in speeding up TB diagnosis, which remains a major health issue in Indonesia,” he explained.
According to Aryo, the Biomedical Engineering Master Program has equipped him with skills in utilizing AI for research, ranging from data analysis to optimizing diagnostic tools.
Aryo attributes his academic success to the program’s emphasis on independence, time management, and lifelong learning.
Jeremia Frandi Apitalau, known as Jere, a fellow student in the same program with a background in Biology, shared his own strategies for balancing study, research, and personal life.
“For time management, I use a daily to-do list and the Pomodoro technique to stay focused,” Jere said.
His biggest challenge is managing priorities when facing overlapping deadlines. However, he handles this by practicing disciplined time management and incorporating refreshing activities like exercise.
Jere, along with his supervisors at UGM, is currently researching a drug-releasing coating design for heart stents using a multi-layer system.
“I’m utilizing ultrasonic coating technology and collaborating with the Faculty of Pharmacy’s laboratory at UGM,” he explained.
This research aims to contribute solutions for the development of heart stents in Indonesia.
Collaboration and Lecturer Support: The Key to Research Success
Both students agree that the support from Biomedical Engineering (TB) faculty is vital.
“Lecturers are open to student ideas and even provide access to laboratories and research funding,” Aryo revealed.
Jere added that guidance from lecturers has also helped him plan for pursuing a Ph.D.
The UGM Biomedical Engineering Program, with its multidisciplinary approach, has proven to be an ideal platform for students like Aryo and Jere to develop technology- and health-based innovations.
Their stories demonstrate that a combination of interdisciplinary knowledge, time management, and lifelong learning is the recipe for successfully producing applicable research results.
For students who wish to contribute to the medical technology field, UGM’s Master’s Program in Biomedical Engineering offers a dynamic research ecosystem—a place where brilliant innovations come to life.
This article was also published on TribunJogja.com on March 28yj 2024, at 2:00 PM WIB, at the following link:
https://jogja.tribunnews.com/2025/03/28/prodi-tb-sps-ugm-dorong-inovasi-mahasiswa-lewat-kolaborasi-riset-dan-pemanfaatan-ai