Wednessday, March 19, 2008
Indonesia Scientist Wins International Fellowship
Source: the Jakarta Post

An Indonesian woman has been awarded an international fellowship for her science research proposal on processing living cells to create healthcare. Dr. I Made Tri Ari Penia Kresnowati received US$40,000 in financial assistance from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as part of a women-only fellowship program to conduct her research on "Bioprocess Technology: Concept of Bioreactor Prototypes for the Proliferation of Stem Cells".

"For Women in Science", an annual program supported by UNESCO and cosmetics manufacturer L'Oreal, is designed to encourage female scientists worldwide.

Penia is the only Indonesian to receive the fellowship this year, along with 15 scientists from other countries, out of 1,500 applicants worldwide.

Chairman of the National Commission for UNESCO, Arief Rahman, said in a press briefing Tuesday Penia deserved the fellowship because of her original research idea.

"Her idea of developing healthcare products from stem cells is excellent. The results of this research will benefit all humanity," he said.

Penia is the third female scientist from Indonesia to win the fellowship. Ines Atmosukarto from the Biotechnology Research Center at the Indonesian Institute of Science won it in 2004 and Fenny Dwifani of Bandung Institute of Technology won it last year.

"I hope this award will inspire all scientists in Indonesia, especially women, to keep conducting research," Penia said. "Indonesian scientists have brilliant ideas but lack the confidence to realize their concepts. I don't think funding is an issue because many parties are willing to provide financial assistance for scientific research."

Penia said she would start her research early next year at Monash University, Australia, and continue it at Bandung Institute of Technology where she would become a lecturer. She hopes to complete her research in five years.