Handayani Rosita

My research journey began with a broad exploration of natural product bioactivities. At the Universitas Indonesia (UI), I screened plant extracts for in vitro activity against enzymes relevant to diabetes mellitus (α-glucosidase, α-amylase, DPP-IV), inflammation (5-lipoxygenase), and skin health (elastase, collagenase, tyrosinase). This included contributing to the development of environmentally friendly extraction methods, laying the foundation for sustainable research practices.

Building on this foundation, my master's research at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) focused on isolating bioactive compounds from Piper retrofractum and evaluating their in vitro anticancer potential. This involved testing on various Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains (wild-type, DNA repair-deficient, and those overexpressing TOP1 and TOP2), alongside cytotoxicity assays on MCF-7 cell lines, a multi-faceted approach to understanding anticancer mechanisms.

As a junior lecturer at Universitas Airlangga, I broadened my scope to encompass both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Qualitative studies documented the traditional use of medicinal plants for postpartum care, sleep disorders, and osteoarthritis treatments across diverse Indonesian ethnic groups. Simultaneously, I conducted experimental work, including preclinical and toxicity testing in animal models, to evaluate plant extracts for anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, and anti-osteoarthritis effects. These projects honed my skills in plant extract standardization, marker compound analysis and quantification (using spectrophotometry and HPTLC), and comprehensive metabolite profiling (HPLC/MS/MS, LC/HRMS, GC/MS, IR spectroscopy). Furthermore, I initiated the development of skills in chemometric and multivariate analysis for metabolite profiling and network pharmacology for elucidating the bioactivity of multi-compounds mechanism. To enhance the efficiency of the in vitro and in vivo biological activity test, I incorporated virtual screening with plants/natural compound databases and marine-derived compounds database. This approach facilitated to prioritize compounds for targeted studies and minimized animal experimentation.

My experiences also extend to compound isolation techniques, including traditional column chromatography, crystallization, and preparative HPLC. This exposure to diverse research areas, from fundamental bioactivity screening to advanced analytical techniques and virtual screening, has provided me with a broad perspective on scientific paradigms and research methodologies. While I value this breadth of experience, I am now eager to consolidate my expertise and define a more focused research direction, specifically exploring the potential of natural products in addressing inflammation and cancer.

• The 5th Liyang Conference, 11/07/23, Oral Presenter
• The International Conference on Drug Discovery and Development (IC3D) 2024, 05/13/24, poster presenter

rosita.handayani@ff.unair.ac.id

• Date of birth: 12/29/91
• Gender: Female
• Nationality: Indonesian

• The Most Outstanding Student of Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia (3rd Winner)
• Research Scholarship Awardee of Nishimura Foundation at Osaka University Japan for May to August 2026
• LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education Agency) Scholarship Awardee for Master Degree

Ethnomedicine and Indonesian Traditional Medicines Development (E-ITMeD) Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga

• Potential and mechanisms of indigenous Indonesian medicinal plants in treating sexual dysfunction: A systematic review and pharmacological network overview., Heliyon, 2025, Journal article, 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42501
• Search for Lead Compounds and In Vitro Assay of Potential Inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum Prolyl-tRNA Synthetase from Natural Compound Database., Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 2025, Journal article, 10.52711/0974-360X.2025.00079
• An Initial Investigation of the Potential of Robusta Coffee, Arabica Coffee, and Caffeine in Asthma Treatment through the Evaluation of 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibition Activity., Borneo Journal of Pharmacy, 2024, Journal article, 10.33084/bjop.v7i1.4448
• Anti-fatigue activity of syrup containing ethanolic extract of kencur (Kaempferia galanga L.) rhizome in Wistar rats., Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacognosy Research, 2024, Journal article, 10.56499/jppres24.1969_12.6.1170
• Anti-Gastritis Activity of Cloves (Eugenia caryophyllata Thunberg) and Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) Leaf Extracts Combination in Absolute Alcohol Induced-Gastric Injury Mice., Pharmacognosy Journal, 2023, Journal article, 10.5530/pj.2023.15.88
• Bioactive compounds from plants having hepatoprotective activity., Plant Derived Hepatoprotective Drugs, 2023, Book chapter
• Discovery of Potential Prolyl-tRNA Synthetase Allosteric Inhibitor Through Virtual Screening and In Vitro Assay against Plasmodium falciparum., Jordan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2023, Journal article, 10.35516/jjps.v16i4.1027
• Optimization of ionic liquid-microwave assisted extraction method of Mahkota Dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl.) fruit pulp., Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 2021, Journal article, 10.7324/JAPS.2021.110208
• Association between total phenol and flavonoid contents in Artocarpus heterophyllus (jackfruit) bark and leaf extracts and lipoxygenase inhibition., International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics, 2020, Journal article, 10.22159/ijap.2020.v12s1.FF055
• Inhibition of lipoxygenase activity from Averrhoa carambola L. leaf extracts., International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics, 2020, Journal article, 10.22159/ijap.2020.v12s1.FF024
• Optimization of microwave- and ultrasonic-assisted extraction of mahkota dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa [scheff.] boerl.) fruit pulp., International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics, 2020, Journal article, 10.22159/ijap.2020.v12s1.FF002
• Anti-Elastase Activity of Rumput Teki (Cyperus rotundus L.) Rhizome Extract., Pharmacognosy Journal, 2019, Journal article, 10.5530/pj.2019.11.119
• In silico analysis of flavonoid glycosides and its aglycones as reverse transcriptase inhibitor., Pharmacognosy Journal, 2019, Journal article, 10.5530/pj.2019.11.194
• Inhibitory effects of different varieties of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) tubers extracts on lipoxygenase activity., Pharmacognosy Journal, 2019, Journal article, 10.5530/pj.2019.11.185
• Antibacterial tests against acne in vitro, the physical stability and patch test using cream containing ethyl p-methoxycinnamate extracted from Kaempferia galanga L., Rhizoma., Research Journal of Medicinal Plant, 2016, Journal article, 10.3923/rjmp.2016.426.434
• Antidiabetic activity and phytochemical screening of extracts from indonesian plants by inhibition of alpha amylase, alpha glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV., Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 2015, Journal article, 10.3923/pjbs.2015.279.284

My early life was marked by hardship, making even the completion of a bachelor's degree a seemingly unattainable aspiration within my community. However, I have consistently defied these limitations, demonstrating my capacity to achieve goals that once seemed impossible. Throughout my primary and secondary education, I consistently ranked first in my class, earning scholarships that enabled me to continue my studies. This dedication to academic excellence continued into my master's program, where I achieved a perfect GPA of 4.0. My strength lies in three core characteristics: (1) my passion for knowledge and science, (2) my unwavering intellectual curiosity, and (3) my perseverance to learning. While doctoral studies undoubtedly pose difficulties, I am convinced that these intrinsic qualities, combined with faith in divine support, will empower me to navigate any forthcoming challenges.