Widiastuti Setyaningsih has been selected to participate in the 2024 Young Scientist Program (YSP) organized by the Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB). The event took place in Macedon Ranges, Melbourne, Australia, from September 20-22, 2024. During the program, Widiastuti had the opportunity to present her research at the scientific conference “Biomolecular Horizons 2024: Discover, Create, Innovate.” Widiastuti Setyaningsih presented her research on the development and validation of an innovative analytical method to identify and quantify bioactive compounds in food products, focusing on tryptophan from Kappaphycus spp., a widely cultivated seaweed in Indonesia. The analysis involved sampling from 36 cultivation sites across eight islands in Indonesian waters. Results revealed significant variations in tryptophan content, influenced by environmental conditions and cultivation methods. The highest concentration was found in samples from Sekotong, Lombok, cultivated using the longline method. These findings offer new insights into seaweed farming practices and highlight the potential of Kappaphycus spp. as a rich source of bioactive compounds. Widiastuti hopes her research will contribute to the sustainable development of Indonesia’s seaweed industry. She believes that seaweed holds great potential in the health sector, particularly for functional food and supplement production due to its bioactive components.

Widiastuti Setyaningsih has been announced as a 2023 Winner of L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science, awarded by the Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO, the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, and PT. Loreal Indonesia. The program invites young Indonesian female researchers to submit their innovative research proposal for the sustainable development and the betterment of communities all over Indonesia. Setyaningsih proposed a research project entitled “Banana Flower: A Potential Functional Ingredient for Promoting Mental Wellness in The Post COVID 19 Era”. Widiastuti has discovered the potential of banana blossoms as a functional ingredient to support mental health, particularly in the post-pandemic era. Her research addresses the global increase in anxiety and depression, affecting 25% of the population due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By utilizing banana flower, rich in tryptophan—a precursor to serotonin, a key neurotransmitter—she offers a natural solution to promote better mood and mental well-being. The project also embraces circular economy principles by transforming agricultural waste into high-value functional ingredients. “Most banana blossoms are discarded or used minimally as compost,”. The research includes in vivo testing to determine the optimal dosage for mood improvement, with plans to incorporate the findings into various functional food products. These could range from small to large-scale industries, offering a flexible and healthy alternative to support mental wellness, not only in Indonesia but globally, as we navigate the post-pandemic world.

Dr. Widiastuti Setyaningsih was awarded as Best Presenter during the Seminar of RKI-PPKI Research 2020 which was held virtually by Universitas Airlangga. She presented the findings of the research performed by a team of researchers from the University of Gadjah Mada, Bandung Institute of Technology, IPB University, and Airlangga University. The research entitled “Rapid Detection Method of Multi-Analyte Based on Colorimetric Sensor Arrays for Artificial Sweeteners”. Apart from producing a new sensor for the detection of sweeteners, her research group has prepared and published four manuscripts for Q1 and Q2 scientific journals. Dr. Setyaningsih was grateful for the World Class University program that supports the realization of this research project.

Widiastuti Setyaningsih received an award for the High-Quality Scientific Article for Health and Medicine 2020. The Ministry of Research and Technology-National Research and Innovation Agency (RISTEK-BRIN) initiated this program to encourage researchers to continue conducting their research and innovation for the future development of Indonesia.

Widiastuti Setyaningsih has received the Best Lecturer Award 2019 by the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The award was delivered by The Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology during the 56th Dies Natalis of the Faculty. Her excellent performance in her work with many responsibilities she carried has successfully brought her to the recognition.

Meeting the end of 2018, Widiastuti Setyaningsih has received an award of The Best Publication in Agro Cluster. The award was delivered by the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada for her dedication to research and publication. One of her works has been published in Food Chemistry in 2017 with the title of “Multiresponse Optimization of A UPLC Method for The Simultaneous Determination of Tryptophan And 15 Tryptophan-Derived Compounds Using a Box-Behnken Design with a Desirability Function” received a high evaluation by the Publisher and Publication Board (BPP) of Universitas Gadjah Mada. Her hard works have successfully brought a positive impact to the University, especially to reach a better reputation at the international level.

Widiastuti Setyaningsih has received a travel award at the value of ‎¥300.000 in order to attend the ACN 2015 presenting an oral communication entittled “Profile of Individual Phenolics in Rice (Oryza sativa): Varietal Differences, Compounds Distribution and Composition Changes in Grains during Rice Production.” This award has been provided by Urakami Foundation for Food and Food Culture Promotion of Japan (URAKAMIZAIDAN).

Widiastuti Setyaningsih won the Best Poster Award at Food Analysis Congress 2014. Her poster entittled “Application of Central Composite Design (CCD) for the Optimization of Ultrasound-assisted Extraction (UAE) of Phenolics from Corn (Zea mays)” has been selected for the award among 186 presented posters during the meeting.

The award was provided by Select Biosciences Ltd., UK in cooperation with ePoster. It is, therefore, the abstract as well as the presented poster can be accessed via ePosterss, The Online Journal of Scientific Posters (ISSN 1754-1417).

The poster can be reached through the following link: ePosters_award