FK-KMK UGM. The Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted **Prof. Martina Micheletti**, a renowned biochemical engineering expert from University College London (UCL), on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. The meeting, held at the KPTU FK-KMK UGM building, was formally welcomed by **Dr. dr. Lina Choridah, Sp.Rad.(K).**, Vice Dean for Research and Development at FK-KMK UGM.
In her remarks, Dr. Lina emphasized the importance of the visit as a strategic step to strengthen FK-KMK UGM’s international collaboration in biomedical research.
“This visit reflects our commitment to fostering interdisciplinary partnerships to advance scientific development and healthcare services. We believe this collaboration will yield significant benefits for both institutions,” she stated.
Prof. Micheletti first visited the Biobank FK-KMK UGM, following an introduction to the Museum of Biopaleoanthropology and Anatomy Museum at UGM.
Jajah Fachiroh, S.P., M.Si, Ph.D., Head of Biobank FK-KMK UGM, explained the importance of maintaining ethical and secure data and sample management.
“Access to the Biobank is highly restricted. Only the data manager and I handle the samples. All activities are governed by long-term storage agreements adhering to ethical regulations,” Dr. Fachiroh elaborated.
Prof. Micheletti praised the system implemented at the Biobank and discussed opportunities for future collaboration.
“Aligning our goals is essential to achieving optimal and beneficial outcomes for the next three months of research,” she remarked.
Prof. Micheletti also toured the **Research and Training Laboratory (LRT) FK-KMK UGM, an integrated learning center specializing in **fetomics, genomics, and proteomics**. The facility is equipped with advanced technologies, including confocal microscopes, tissue tickers, and cutting-edge sequencing tools, supporting students and researchers alike.
- Dwi Aris Agung Nugrahaningsih, M.Sc, Ph.D., from LRT FK-KMK UGM, outlined the lab’s contributions to education.
“LRT serves over 100 students annually, from undergraduate to doctoral levels. Practical experiments are tailored to each academic stage, lasting one to three years. We also host monthly training sessions to keep our assistants updated on the latest technological advancements,” Dr. Nugrahaningsih explained.
Prof. Micheletti commended FK-KMK UGM’s integrated approach in leveraging laboratory facilities to support high-quality research.
During her presentation, Prof. Micheletti introduced the UCL Institute of Healthcare Engineering, which focuses on transforming patient care through engineering, computational innovation, and clinical-industrial collaboration. She also highlighted the Vax-Hub Initiative, a program aimed at supporting sustainable global vaccine production.
“UCL is one of the world’s top universities, with a long history of interdisciplinary collaboration. We are committed to developing programs that align with the needs of countries like Indonesia,” she explained.
The visit concluded with discussions about potential future collaborations between FK-KMK UGM and UCL, particularly in biomedical engineering, genomics, and health innovation. Both institutions expressed optimism about building joint programs to advance knowledge and healthcare services.
This meeting underscored FK-KMK UGM’s role as a global partner in research and education, reinforcing its position as a leader in international health innovation. The collaboration aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). (Isroq Adi Subakti/Reporter)
