Yogyakarta, August 20, 2026 — A team of students from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), comprising Novelia Ardian Kharimah from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Salsabilla Dwira Syaikhah from the Faculty of Biology, achieved 2nd Place in the HIPNOTIC #10 National Essay Competition (Healing Team Campaign to Stop Narcotic), organized by the Health Counselling Team of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (FKIK UMY), on July 5, 2026.
Carrying the theme “Muda Berkarya, Bersinar Tanpa Narkoba” (Young, Creative, and Shining Without Drugs), the competition attracted more than 120 student teams from universities across Indonesia. Participants underwent a selection process involving scientific essays and presentations of ideas addressing issues related to the prevention and management of drug abuse and the mental health of young people.
In the competition, Novelia and Salsabilla presented an essay entitled “GENISOY: Inovasi Nanopartikel Intranasal Genistein Tempe sebagai Modulator Epigenetik untuk Pemulihan Kesehatan Mental dan Pencegahan Relaps pada Adiksi Napza” (GENISOY: An Intranasal Genistein Nanoparticle Innovation from Tempeh as an Epigenetic Modulator for Mental Health Recovery and Relapse Prevention in Substance Addiction).
The GENISOY concept explores the potential use of genistein derived from tempeh, combined with intranasal nanoparticle technology, as a potential supportive approach to mental health recovery and relapse prevention among individuals recovering from substance addiction. The concept focuses on epigenetic modulation, a mechanism involving changes in gene expression regulation without altering the DNA sequence, particularly within the dopaminergic system associated with reward mechanisms and the risk of relapse following rehabilitation.
The achievement highlights meaningful collaboration between the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Biology at UGM in developing scientific work that addresses public health challenges while exploring research opportunities based on Indonesia’s local biological resources. The interdisciplinary collaboration also demonstrates the importance of integrating pharmaceutical sciences and biological sciences in developing innovative approaches to complex health issues.
The achievement contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, Good Health and Well-being through its focus on mental health, substance abuse prevention, and recovery from addiction; SDG 9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through the exploration of nanoparticle-based drug delivery and innovative biomedical research; and SDG 12, Responsible Consumption and Production through the exploration of tempeh, a locally available Indonesian food product, as a potential source of bioactive compounds for health-related research.
This achievement is expected to inspire UGM students to continue developing interdisciplinary scientific works that address pressing public health challenges, advance innovation, and contribute to the development of knowledge through the exploration of Indonesia’s rich local resources.
