THE UNIVERSITY OF OSAKA School of Science

Jelang Muhammad Dirgantara (Indonesia), Third year of doctoral program

Department of Chemistry, Special Integrated Science Course (SISC)

Hello there, my name is Jelang, and I am from Indonesia. My love for chemistry began in high school and has only grown stronger over the years. This passion drove me to Japan, where I aimed to deepen my knowledge and experience the cutting-edge technology at the Graduate School of Science, Osaka University.

With a background in synthetic organic chemistry for drug discovery during my bachelor’s and master’s studies, I was fortunate that the flexible system at the Graduate School of Science allowed me to explore my true interests.

School of Science allowed me to explore my true interests. Under the supervision of Professor Koichi Fukase, I initially began my Ph.D. research focused on the development of synthetic vaccines. However, as my journey progressed, I discovered my true calling in computational chemistry and bioinformatics.

The supportive environment in my laboratory encouraged me to pursue this new direction in research. My supervisor, Professor Fukase, emphasized the importance of curiosity in science, and with his guidance, I was able to shift my focus and complete my Ph.D. in computational-related studies for drug discovery. This freedom and support were instrumental in securing my current position as a specially-appointed researcher at the AI Center for Health and Biomedical Research (ArCHER), National Institute of Biomedical Innovation (NIBIOHN). Here, I continue to delve deeper into the fields of computational chemistry and biology.

Beyond research, I have received immense emotional support from the people I’ve met in Japan. They have been there for me during the challenging times of my Ph.D. Even though I do not speak Japanese fluently, I never had any issues communicating, thanks to the international-friendly environment at Osaka University. Many people speak English to some extent, which made it easy for me to build strong connections. Osaka University also offers a variety of clubs, such as Science Buddy at the Graduate School of Science and the Brothers and Sisters Program at the university level, which provide excellent support systems for students.

To any prospective international students reading this, I want to assure you that Osaka is a wonderful place to live, and Osaka University is an ideal place to learn. If you have the opportunity to apply here but are uncertain about the environment, I can confidently say that the Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, is a fantastic choice. Good luck, and stay happy.

Terima kasih (Thank you)

<Notes>
These articles were posted as they were written by the students. The student’s grade is as of the time the article was written in September 2024.