Dozens of young researchers from various universities shared their experiences and inspirational stories about their ongoing research at the 2025 Merck Young Scientist Roadshow held on Tuesday (Aug. 12) at the Auditorium of Building A, Integrated Research and Testing Laboratory (LPPT UGM).
Carrying the theme Talks on Campus – Innovation, Collaboration & Advances in Life Science Research, the event was a collaboration between PT Merck Chemicals and Life Sciences and LPPT UGM, featuring seminars, talk shows, and interactive lab tours.
“This event is designed as an Inspiring Day of Science, Innovation, and Discovery, providing opportunities to connect with experts and various stakeholders,” said Diasti Lastarini, Head of Commercial Science and Lab Solution Indonesia, Merck.
Representing the Head of LPPT UGM, Dr. Hevi Wihadmadyatami stated that advancements in stem cell and cell culture technology have opened significant opportunities for the health sector, from tissue regeneration to the treatment of degenerative diseases.
She emphasized that these developments not only impact the medical field but also strengthen a more integrated research ecosystem. According to Dr. Wihadmadyatami, such events serve as a strategic momentum to accelerate the transfer of technology from the laboratory to industrial application.
“Today’s event is an ideal forum for researchers, industry, and regulators to strengthen our innovation system,” she said.
The first session, titled Advancing Stem Cell-Based Therapy: Bridging In Vitro and In Vivo Studies for Translational Readiness, featured Taufik Indarmawan, Solution Scientist for Biology at Merck, and Dr. Dwi Aris Agung Nugrahaningsih, Coordinator of Pharmacology and Therapy Research at the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM).
In his presentation, Indarmawan outlined the stages of cell culture research from isolation and cultivation to cell characterization to ensure quality and purity. He also discussed the potential of robotic technology in improving the accuracy and consistency of research outcomes in this field.
“Robotics is not here to replace researchers, but to help make research more consistent and data more valid,” he explained.
Dr. Nugrahaningsih continued by explaining the potential of stem cells in repairing organ damage caused by chronic diseases such as stroke, heart attack, and diabetes. She noted that stem cells possess the unique ability to develop into various cell types and repair damaged tissue.
She also encouraged the audience to understand the differences between embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in terms of their medical applications.
“Stem cells offer hope that damage, which so far could only be treated symptomatically, can be repaired at the root cause,” she remarked.
Following the first session, the event continued with two more talk shows exploring the power of research collaboration and the process of pharmaceutical research and development (R&D).
The second session, themed Not a Solo Mission: The Power of Collaboration in Research, featured Dr. Sjaikhurrizal El Muttaqien, winner of the 2023 Merck Young Scientist Award, and Dr. Wihadmadyatami.
They shared real-life experiences on how cross-disciplinary synergy can accelerate the downstream process of research outcomes. They stressed that strategic collaboration can open opportunities for funding, knowledge exchange, and broader access to technology.
The third session, R&D and Production in Pharma: From Drug Discovery to Market, presented by Dr. Manvi Porwal and Ivander Yeremia Simanungkalit, discussed the lengthy process of drug development from molecule discovery and laboratory testing to industrial-scale production and global market distribution.
They emphasized that each stage requires close coordination between research, production, and regulatory teams to ensure a smooth pathway to market. They also highlighted that advances in modern manufacturing technology can speed up production timelines without compromising quality.
The speakers underscored the importance of standardization, quality testing, and compliance with international regulations to ensure the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products.
After the talk shows, participants were invited to join an interactive demonstration at the Merck Innovation Mini Booth, showcasing cutting-edge research tools such as the TLC Explorer and Luminex, followed by a tour of the LPPT UGM laboratories to observe testing facilities firsthand.
This provided participants with an opportunity to interact directly with experts and try out technologies typically used only in professional research settings. Many participants seized the moment to ask questions and discuss the potential applications of these tools in their own research fields.
The event concluded with the announcement of door prize and Instagram post competition winners, before closing remarks from Dr. Ilma Equilibrina, Head of Pharma, Biotech, & Academia at Merck, who expressed hope that the program would mark the beginning of sustainable collaboration between industry and academia.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian