FF UNAIR received a visit from Dr. Spencer Serin, Ph.D., an academic from the University of British Columbia, Canada, on August 4, 2026. He is also the Founder and Principal Consultant of SCRC Consulting Ins., who visited to explore opportunities for research collaboration based on Indonesian natural materials. This visit represented an important momentum to strengthen international networks and open opportunities for research results implementation toward the global market.
During his visit, Dr. Spencer met with Professor of FF UNAIR, Prof. apt. Rr. Retno Widyowati, S.Si., M.Pharm., Ph.D. This meeting was motivated by Dr. Serin’s interest in various research conducted by Prof. Retno, particularly regarding sea grapes (Caulerpa sp.) and gendarussa (Justicia gendarussa), which have great potential; as sources of bioactive compounds for health product development.
The discussion proceeded warmly, discussing opportunities for utilizing both plants as innovative raw materials that can be further developed through multidisciplinary research. Beyond exchanging experiences regarding natural material development, both researchers also discussed potential cooperation in developing value-added products that can provide health benefits for society while increasing the competitiveness of Indonesia’s biological resources at the international level.
Dr. Spencer Serin is an expert in the development and commercialization of biologically-based products. He completed his doctoral education in Chemistry at the University of British Columbia, Canada, and currently leads SCRC Consulting Inc., a consulting company operating in the fields of regulatory compliance, technology development, and scientific consultation. His expertise encompasses the development of products based on natural and biological materials for agriculture, food, and human health sectors.
Throughout his meeting with Prof. Retno, Dr. Serin expressed his appreciation for the research contributions that FF UNAIR has produced, particularly in exploring medicinal plants with pharmacological potential. He assessed that research regarding sea grapes and gendarussa opens great opportunities to be developed into innovative products that support disease prevention and treatment as well as improvement of community quality of life.
This visit represented a strategic step in strengthening international collaboration networks between FF UNAIR and academics and global industry partners. The exchange of knowledge, experience, and cooperation opportunities that developed are hoped to accelerate research implementation, increase sustainable utilization of Indonesia's biodiversity, and encourage the emergence of innovations that impact public health. This collaboration also reflects FF UNAIR's commitment to supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through the development of health innovations based on natural materials, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through strengthening research and innovation partnerships across countries.
