Fourteen lecturers of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) have been named among the World’s Top 2 Percent Scientists 2025, a ranking released by Stanford University.
The fourteen UGM scientists are Professor Abdul Rohman from the Faculty of Pharmacy (Pharmacy UGM), Professor Muh Aris Marfai from the Faculty of Geography (Geography UGM), Dr. Ganjar Alfian from the VocatioScientistsnal College (SV UGM), Dr. Eka Noviana (Pharmacy UGM), Professor Kusmono from the Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM), Professor Ahmad Maryudi from the Faculty of Forestry (Forestry UGM), Professor Kuwat Triyana from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM), and Professor Ika Dewi Ana from the Faculty of Dentistry (FKG UGM).
Also included are Professor Edi Suharyadi (FMIPA UGM), Professor Adi Utarini from the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), Professor Jumina (FMIPA UGM), Professor Roto (FMIPA UGM), Dr. Rina Triasih (FK-KMK UGM), and Professor Wega Trisunaryanti (FMIPA UGM).
Professor Ika Dewi Ana explained that her recognition as one of the world’s most influential scientists stemmed from her research and publications in the development of synthetic extracellular matrices and biomedical adjuvants for tissue engineering and regenerative therapy.
“We have recently been selected by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology as a PUIPT (Higher Education Center of Excellence) in this field, and since 2022, BRIN has also designated us as a National Research Collaboration Center (PKR). Both programs are highly competitive at the national level,” she said on Saturday (Sep. 27).
Reflecting on her achievement, Professor Ana expressed her gratitude and emphasized her responsibility to continue advancing her field.
“My next task is to further develop research and to educate young people so they can contribute through this discipline,” she added.
Meanwhile, Professor Adi Utarini has long focused her research on controlling infectious diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and dengue, as well as improving the quality of hospital services.
Over the past decade, she has pioneered dengue control research by introducing Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Her study in Yogyakarta demonstrated a 77% reduction in dengue cases and an 86% decrease in hospitalizations due to dengue.
“These findings bring great hope for Indonesia and other dengue-endemic countries in reducing disease transmission,” she explained.
On her inclusion in the global list, Professor Utarini expressed gratitude and highlighted teamwork as the key to success.
“I could never have achieved this without the extraordinary collaboration of my research team and partners. I hope this recognition can bring real benefits to public health in Indonesia,” she said.
Professor Wega Trisunaryanti shared that her research focuses on the preparation and synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts based on transition metals impregnated on synthetic or natural porous supports such as zeolite, silica-alumina, silica, alumina, RGO, and MOF.
Her work has led to the development of nanocatalysts used in the conversion of biomass into biofuels (including gasoline, jet fuel, green diesel, and biodiesel) and fine chemicals for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
She has published 161 documents, which have been cited 1,357 times across 807 indexed papers, resulting in a Scopus h-index of 20.
Professor Trisunaryanti expressed pride in contributing to UGM’s international recognition in research and development.
“I am honored to be acknowledged as a world-class researcher at the international level. This achievement not only brings pride to me personally but also raises UGM’s global reputation in research and development,” she said.
Professor Edi Suharyadi stated that his research generally focuses on Magnetic Nanomaterials and Spintronics (studies on functional materials and devices based on magnetic properties and their applications in health and environmental fields).
Between 2021 and 2025, he published 41 Q1 journal articles, making him one of UGM’s top four contributors in this category.
While pleased with his recognition, Professor Suharyadi stressed the importance of humility and sustained productivity.
“Maintaining productivity is essential, with a commitment to conducting quality research with global impact. Publishing in high-impact journals provides us, as lecturers and researchers, with a way to keep contributing to the advancement of science,” he noted.
Professor Roto, whose research focuses on materials and chemical sensors, has published approximately 110 Scopus-indexed articles, primarily in Q1 and Q2 journals, with 1,443 citations and an h-index of 22.
He expressed his joy in shaping the future of chemistry and considered the achievement not only a personal honor but also a contribution to UGM and Indonesian science.
“I hope this inspires young generations, especially UGM students, to study analytical chemistry,” he said.
Authors: Lintang and Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya