UNAIR NEWS – Annisa Salsabilla Dwi Nugrahani, a student in the professional medical program at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), showcased her academic prowess at an international congress. From November 22 to 24, 2024, she participated in the 17th Congress of the Asia-Pacific Vitreo-Retina Society (APVRS) held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. The annual event, which spotlights advancements in retinal disease research, primarily catered to ophthalmologists, making Nugrahani’s involvement a unique accomplishment for a student.
The congress offered numerous parallel sessions, enabling attendees to focus on areas of personal interest. Nugrahani was particularly drawn to the Rapid Fire Session, a platform for ten researchers to present cutting-edge clinical trials exploring experimental therapies still under development.
“This congress significantly broadened my knowledge of ophthalmology, especially in retinal diseases. I learned from studies conducted in countries such as the United States, Germany, Japan, and Australia. The breakthroughs presented were truly innovative, many of which I had never encountered in Indonesia,” Nugrahani shared during an interview with UNAIR NEWS.
Sharing research on retinopathy in premature infants
Nugrahani presented her research titled Association between TNF-alpha Genetic Polymorphism with the Risk of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Incidence among Neonates. The study, conducted in collaboration with ophthalmology consultants Dr. dr. Wimbo S., SpM(K), and Dr. Rifat Nurfahri, SpM, focused on addressing the prevalence of ROP cases at UNAIR’s teaching hospital, RSUD Dr. Soetomo.
“Our research aims to identify the genetic and environmental factors contributing to retinopathy. We hope these findings will pave the way for new approaches to prevent genetic mutations that lead to this condition,” Nugrahani explained.
Gaining insights and inspiring others
Reflecting on her experience, Nugrahani described the congress as a transformative learning opportunity. ““Even though I’m still a medical student, this opportunity has been eye-opening. It has shown me how much more there is to learn and how significantly knowledge in this field can grow,” she remarked.
Nugrahani concluded with advice for her peers, encouraging them to seize opportunities and embrace challenges. “Never stop trying! You never know which opportunity could lead you down an entirely new path. Step out of your comfort zone, and you’ll see just how vast the world is,” she said with enthusiasm.
Author: Anggun Latifatunisa
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
