Biography

Dr.rer.nat. Agustina DR Nurcahyanti received her Ph.D. from Heidelberg University in Pharmaceutical Biology. Her research interests focus on the biochemistry, cellular and molecular mechanisms of natural products and their derived constituents as pharmaceutical and nutraceutical candidates, especially to attain healthy aging and ameliorate aging-related diseases. In collaboration with a clinical pharmacist and nutritionist, her research aims to understand the mechanism from the cellular level to the individual level. She is an elected member of the Indonesian Young Academy of Sciences (ALMI) and a fellow at The KAVLI Frontiers of Sciences. She serves as peer-reviewer at Frontiers in Pharmacology (Frontiers Media S.A.), Phytomedicine Plus (Elsevier), Peer J (O-Reilly and SAGE), and Natural Product Research (Taylor & Francis).

Selected Grants:

1. Fucoxanthin as chemosensitizer agent - Indonesian Ministry of Research and Higher Education (2021-2023)

2. Study on the inhibition of AGE, ß-Amyloid production and anti-inflammation from selected Indonesian medicinal plants - Indofood Riset Nugraha, PT. Indofood Tbk (2021-2022)

3. Carotenoid from Bixa orellana - Indonesian Ministry of Research and Higher Education (2020-2021)

4. Brown algae and its application in foodbars formulation - Indofood Riset Nugraha, PT. Indofood Tbk (2018-2019)

Education

Dr. Agustina Dwi Retno Nurcahyanti earned her Bachelor's degree from Satya Wacana Christian University in 2006, followed by a Master's degree in Science from the same university in 2008. She then pursued further studies at The University of Glasgow in the UK in 2009, where she completed another Master's program, and obtained her Doctorate from Heidelberg University in Germany in 2015.

Expertise

Dr. Agustina's expertise lies in Science and Technology, specializing in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Indonesian Herbal Medicines, Nutraceuticals, and Functional Foods. She possesses in-depth knowledge of plant-based pharmaceutical product development and the application of modern science in health.

Teaching

As a lecturer, Dr. Agustina teaches in the Pharmacy Bachelor's Program, covering subjects such as Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Cell Biology, Evidence-Based Medicine, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Pharmacology, Phytotherapy, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, and Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods. At the Master's level in Biomedical Science, she teaches courses including Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Immunology, and Biomedical Engineering.

Recent Publications

Dr. dr. Veronika Maria Sidharta M.Biomed. is a researcher in the biomedical field with a focus on stem cell therapy, nutrition, and skill development in medical education. Her publication titled "The Relationship Between Vitamin D Intake and Musculoskeletal Complaints in the Age Group 17-35 Years" (2023) explores the connection between vitamin D intake and musculoskeletal complaints, providing new insights into the importance of nutrition for muscle and joint health in young adults. 

Another important study, "Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells Therapy for Burn Wound Rat Model: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" (2023), offers a deep analysis of the effectiveness of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell therapy in healing burn wounds in rat models, helping to establish a foundation for the clinical application of this therapy.

Dr. Veronika also conducts research on the effects of "Short-term High-dose D-galactose Administration via Intraperitoneal Route to Induce Aging Process in Male Rats" (2023), aiming to understand aging mechanisms through animal models. This research is crucial for developing preventive strategies and therapies related to aging. In her publication "Optimization of Secretome Production from Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells" (2023), Dr. Veronika discusses techniques to enhance the production of secretome from mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue, contributing to the development of therapeutic applications in tissue regeneration.

Additionally, she investigates "The Impact of Mentoring on Enhancing Generic Skills of Medical Students" (2023), highlighting the importance of mentorship in medical education and its impact on developing the generic skills necessary for effective medical practice. Finally, in her research "The Effect of Secretome in Conditioned Medium from Human Umbilical Cord on Histological Improvement and Wound Contraction in Sprague Dawley Rat Model of Second-degree Burn" (2023), Dr. Veronika studies the positive effects of administering secretome from human umbilical cord in enhancing burn healing, providing hope for more effective regenerative therapies. 

With her interdisciplinary approach and dedication, Dr. dr. Veronika Maria Sidharta M.Biomed. continues to contribute to research that has the potential to improve healthcare across various fields.