Merck Announces Winners of 2021 Young Scientists Awards

News Release

Jakarta, December 11, 2021 – Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the five winners of its Young Scientist Award 2021. This year, the company received 120 research applications in three categories: biological sciences, chemical sciences, and COVID-19 studies.

“Merck is committed to supporting and encouraging young researchers to conduct research and discover new inventions in life science that will impact life and health. The strong research submissions are a testament to the interest of pioneering life science research in Indonesia, one of the fastest-growing countries in Asia,” said Christopher Thomas, President Director of PT Merck Chemicals and Life Science.

The winners were:

• Athanasia Amanda Septevani, S.T., Ph.D., for her research titled “Advancement of Green Biorefinery: Lignin Derived from Biomass Black Liquor Sludge towards Eco-Friendly and High-Performance of Flame Retardant.”
• apt. Pietradewi Hartrianti, S.Farm, M.Farm. for her research titled “Self-Healing Properties of Keratin Composite Hydrogels and Their Prospect as Bio-ink for 3D-Printed Organoid Model.”
• Andri Hardiansyah, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., for his research titled “Facile and Green Synthesis of Hydrogels of Graphene/Polymer for Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery Applications: Evaluation of Chemical Interaction, Structure, Cellular In Vitro Study and Response to The External Stimuli.”
• apt. Febri Wulandari, S.Farm, for her research titled “Estimating The Anti-Proliferative Effects of A New Monocarbonyl Curcumin Analog with Fluor Substituent, FCCA-1, in Combination with Doxorubicin.”
• apt. Yesiska Kristina Hartanti, S.Farm, for her research titled “Lumbricus rubellus Protein Fraction DLBS1033N Prevents High Glucose-Induced Schwann Cell Cytotoxicity: The Role of Cell Viability, Apoptosis, and Differentiation in An In Vitro Model for Diabetic Neuropathy.”

The company’s Young Scientist Award was introduced in 2018 to recognize Indonesia-based research, particularly the projects that help people achieve a better quality of life while increasing awareness of life science research and discoveries as the solution to life challenges in Indonesia. The award is open to university students and aspiring or professional scientists from state-owned or private research institutions and hospitals.

“We selected the finalists based on three qualifications: research process and execution; creativity and authenticity of ideas (originality), as well as research potentiality of embracing community’s wellness and the life science businesses. We are pleased to see enthusiastic young researchers who have submitted their research and given their contribution to general and life science development,” said Dr. Ratih Asmana Ningrum Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency’s (BRIN) Biotechnology Research Center, also Chair of the Young Scientist Award judging panel.

Merck is committed to supporting young researchers in Indonesia to keep innovating for the future. In March 2021, Merck established a partnership with Universitas Indonesia’s Mathematics and Natural Sciences Faculty to provide a collaborative lab that provides access to leading-edge equipment, services, and expertise to produce scientific research and innovation.

The life science business sector of Merck focuses on three segments: research solutions for academia; process solutions for biopharmaceutical production; and applied solutions for clinical and diagnostic testing laboratories as well as the food-and-beverage and environmental industries.