Alumni Talk: Harvard Researcher to Startup Business Person
Sixth Series Webinar of Faculty of Pharmacy UNAIR was held on Saturday, 10 April 2021. The event with the theme “Strengthening Research and Community Service in Support of the Achievement of the SDGs” presented five speakers online. The speaker was an alumnus of FF UNAIR who is very dedicated in his field. Guided by the moderator, apt. Elida Zairina, S.Si., MPH, Ph.D., they shared their knowledge and experiences during research or when they became development activists. Participants who are pharmacist colleagues joined the event via Zoom and Youtube.
The event was opened with greeting speech from the Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. apt. Junaidi Khotib, S.Si., M.Kes., Ph.D. “The alumni who spread their wings from one end of the world to the other really make the Faculty of Pharmacy proud”, he said.
Alzheimer, Aging, and The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Harvard University researcher, Evhy Apriyani, S.Farm., M.Sc., Ph.D., explained that Alzheimer can be caused by a buildup of beta amyloid protein in the brain, thereby increasing the production of tau protein which accelerates neuronal degeneration. Evhy explained that Alzheimer is influenced by 70% genetic factors and 30% environmental factors and commonly affects the elderly. Evhy also revealed that she and her team are currently developing monoclonal antibody against the amino acid APOE. This antibody reduces pathological effects on the brain and supports resistance to Alzheimer.
Antiaging and Elderly Welfare
Drs. apt. Suhaidiar Sulaiman, the founder and CEO of Pillars Cosmetiklon Indonesia Ltd., explained how antiaging products work. Antiaging active ingredients such as glycogen and antioxidants can increase collagen production. Suhaidiar prioritizes the safety and efficacy of his products. He works closely with a dermatologist to perform a substance test.
“The pharmacist’s oath is still attached to my heart so it is not appropriate to deceive consumers. Moreover, UNAIR’s slogan is with morality value so I have to be honest”, he added.
Drug Quality Assurance System
BPOM inspection of CPOB at Pharma Laboratories Ltd. initiated the improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS) program after finding 80 problems from minor to critical categories. As Quality Assurance Manager, apt. Graha Wira Krida, S.Farm. revealed that the company needed a better QMS program to maintain the quality of production and the trust of the company partners. The QMS program consists of planning and implementing plans, evaluating the suitability of implementation with the plan, and following up on the results of the evaluation. The QMS program is implemented for a year and it is hoped that the company will get CPOB recertification and Halal Assurance System certification in 2021.
Media for Information Transaction and Public Welfare
One of the pharmacists who is engaged in service through communication and information media is apt. Heinrich Dominggus Dengi, S.Si, who founded Radio Max 96.9 FM in Wangiapu, East Sumba. Various competent sources have been brought in to provide actual information to the listener community, one of which is the Director of the local Hospital discussing the increase in COVID-19 case. Heinrich also promoted mangrove planting and blood donation. Now, he focuses on overcoming irrigation problems by pumping water without fuel and producing biogas fertilizer.
“My business is growing. The team actively conveyed to friends in NTT that agricultural products are good, despite the hot climate and hilly contour”, he concluded.
Development of Startup and Community Welfare
Startup business “Cellugy” run by apt. Deby Fapyane, S.Farm., M.Sc., Ph.D. has got the support of the Danish government and the European Union. Cellugy is a startup which is engaged in biotechnology that adopts the biotransformation process. This process focuses on reducing plastic use and carbon dioxide emission compared to fossil methods. One of its products, Ecoflexy, is expected to be able to shift the use of plastics in the packaging industry. Deby hoped that biotransformation can be further developed in Indonesia, especially because of the diversity of microorganisms that have great potential for this process.
Contributors: Farma Pos Team - Athallah Syauqi (2020), Usva’atul Vernanda (2020), and Agung Bagus (2020)
