This achievement was the result of years of dedicated research, cross-generational student collaboration, and a strong academic network built over time.

A Research Relay Across Generations
The data and findings published in the journal were developed through a continuous research effort involving several ITB Chemistry students from different cohorts. The project was initiated by Antonio Bongso (Chemistry 2018), continued by Bayu Putera (Chemistry 2019), and further refined by Deryl Hendson Limawan (Chemistry 2020). The entire research project was supervised by Dr. Robby Roswanda.

The international collaboration was also supported by Dr. Robby Roswanda’s academic connection with Prof. Ben Feringa, under whom he studied in 2009. This academic relationship was further strengthened when Prof. Feringa visited ITB in 2020 to deliver a public lecture, creating opportunities for deeper research collaboration.

Exploring the Potential of Indonesia’s Natural Products
The research originated from an idea proposed by the late Dr. Yana Maolana Syah, who recognized the significant potential of chiral centers found in compounds derived from Indonesian natural products. The idea was later realized through the isolation of pure derivative compounds from extracts of Tephrosia vogelii.

According to Deryl, the study demonstrates that Indonesian natural products offer far greater potential than their conventional use for bioactive applications such as medicinal or anticancer purposes.

“The unique structural frameworks of natural products can serve as valuable building blocks for synthesizing more complex molecules. This opens new opportunities for the development of advanced functional materials in the future,” he said.

Through the study, the research team successfully synthesized photoactive derivative molecules. These molecules can undergo structural changes when exposed to light and maintain specific configurations afterward. Although the molecules currently perform only a single geometric transformation and do not yet function as fully reversible molecular switches, the achievement represents a promising first step.

In the future, the synthetic approach developed through this research may support the development of smart materials for various applications, including optoelectronic components and medical sensors.

Adopting a Culture of Rigorous Research Curation

Deryl’s opportunity to conduct research at the University of Groningen also provided valuable insights into the academic and research culture in Europe. He observed that a strong research ecosystem is built upon a continuous cycle linking research funding, research quality, and scientific publications.

“High-quality research leads to impactful publications, and impactful publications attract greater research funding. That is why data curation and manuscript preparation are carried out with exceptional rigor,” he explained.

He noted that the manuscript revision process took more than six months to complete. During that period, the team conducted additional experiments, analyses, and computational calculations to ensure the quality and reliability of the research findings.

Deryl also believes that Indonesia’s research culture can continue to grow if researchers focus not only on the quantity of publications but also on their quality and impact.

“Combining research outcomes from several students into a single well-curated publication can produce stronger scientific contributions and create a broader impact,” he said.

Globally Competitive Quality

Collaborating within an international research environment inevitably presents challenges, including differences in knowledge backgrounds and research experience. However, Deryl believes that these challenges can be overcome through a strong commitment to learning and self-development beyond formal academic requirements.

“The key is to continuously explore scientific literature, actively engage in discussions, and never hesitate to ask questions. With a strong learning mindset, Indonesian students are fully capable of competing and contributing at the global research level,” he said.

This international publication serves as tangible evidence that ITB students possess the capacity and competitiveness required to thrive in the global research ecosystem. Through collaboration, perseverance, and a strong scientific culture, Indonesia’s young generation continues to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of knowledge worldwide.