... A b o u t  m e
Hi! I'm Arif, an Indonesian who grew up in the Jakarta metropolitan area. I pursued my biology studies in Bogor, which is renowned as the best place for learning biology in Indonesia and conveniently located near Jakarta. During my third year of Bachelor's, I had the pleasure of meeting Sih Kahono, an insect ecologist from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, whose introduction to the fascinating field of evolutionary biology left a lasting impression on me. He shared an intriguing story about the host specialisation and speciation of Henosepilachna diekei, a Southeast-Asian ladybird beetle, which instantly became my favorite animal. Inspired by this encounter, I joined his lab, wrote my thesis, and have been captivated by this beautiful critter ever since.
In addition to my studies in Indonesia, I spent a semester in Zagreb, Croatia, towards the end of my time at IPB. Following my graduation, I accepted an EMJMD scholarship offer to further specialise in evolutionary biology, beginning in 2021. This journey took me to Groningen, The Netherlands, and Munich, Germany, where I conducted a mini-project with Richard Merrill on the functional genomics of assortative mating in Heliconius butterflies. Subsequently, in Montpellier, France, I delved into pea-aphid population genomics under the supervision of Carole Smadja. Finally, in Cambridge, I focused on wall lizard population and comparative genomics with Joana Meier. Now, for my PhD, I have decided to continue my work in ladybirds (Henosepilachna diekei) within the same lab, this time exploring its large-scale genomic aspects.
Outside of academia, I enjoy exploring the wilderness, visiting museums, cycling, and occasionally sketching. I have a keen interest in history and collect old banknotes and coins as part of my hobby.
C O N T A C T
Arif Maulana
Tree of Life Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
Professional experience
Jun 2022 - Jul 2022: Curatorial assistant for Coleoptera and Hymenoptera collection, SNSB-Zoologische Staatssammlung MĂĽnchen, Germany
Research experience and education
since Oct 2023: Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Science, Wellcome Sanger Institute, University of Cambridge (Darwin College), United Kingdom
Genomics of Rapid Speciation and Adaptation group
Advisor: Joana I. Meier
Project: Genomics of polygenic traits and structural variants in contemporary evolution
Evolution of Unusual Reproductive Mechanisms group
Advisor: Sam Ebdon, Kamil S. Jaron
Rotation project: Chromosomal evolution in Coleoptera
Evolutionary Genomics group
Advisor: Lewis Stevens, Mark Blaxter
Rotation project: Hyper-divergent haplotypes across the tree of life
Apr 2023 - Sep 2023: Internship, Wellcome Sanger Institute, United Kingdom
Genomics of Rapid Speciation and Adaptation group
Advisor: Joana I. Meier, Anna I. Orteu
Thesis: Rapid range expansion of hybrid wall lizards in Switzerland
Sep 2022 - Feb 2023: Master of Science in Evolutionary Biology, Université de Montpellier (CBGP-INRAE), France
Sex and Speciation group
Advisor: Marjolaine M. C. Rousselle, Mathieu Gautier, Julie Jaquiéry, Carole M. Smadja
Thesis: Large-X and fast-X effects in the pea aphid speciation continuum
Apr 2022 - Sep 2023: Master of Science in Evolutionary Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
Behaviour and Speciation group
Advisor: Matteo Rossi, Richard M. MerrilÂ
Mini-project: Testing the role of regucalcin1 in visual mate preference of Heliconius butterflies
Feb 2022 - Mar 2022: Internship, Museum fĂĽr Naturkunde Berlin, Germany
Center for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery group
Advisor: Thomas von Rintelen
Mini-project: Trophic specialisation, radula diversification in an adaptive radiation of Malili lakes system gastropods, Tylomelania
Sep 2021 - Jan 2022: Master of Science in Evolutionary Biology, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands
Feb 2020 - Jul 2020: Semester abroad, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Sep 2016 - Dec 2020: Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB University), Indonesia
Department of Biology, Insect Ecology group
Advisor: Tri Atmowidi, Sih Kahono (Indonesian Institute of Sciences)
Thesis: Partial reproductive isolation between allopatric host races of the phytophagous ladybird beetle Henosepilachna diekei
Teaching experience
Feb 2021 - Mar 2021: Biology teacher, Portibi Applied Learning School, Indonesia
Jul 2020 - Sep 2020: Fieldwork assistant (Field Study course), IPB University, Indonesia
Aug 2019 - Jan 2020: Biology tutor, IPB University, Indonesia
Jul 2019 - Sep 2019: Fieldwork assistant (Field Study course), IPB University, Indonesia
Sep 2018 - Jul 2021: Laboratory teaching assistant (Biology, Plant Anatomy, Principles of Genetics, Animal Physiology, Animal Microtechnique course), IPB University, Indonesia
Grants and scholarships
Jan 2023: Wellcome Sanger Institute PhD studentship awardee, from Wellcome Trust
Apr 2021: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) scholarship awardee, from European Union
Dec 2019: Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility (KA107) scholarship awardee, from European Union
Nov 2019: Conference grant awardee to 1st ISIF, from Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia
Sep 2016: Jakarta Excellence Student Card scholarship awardee, from Jakarta Capital City government
Invited talks
20 Mar 2023: Season of Sharing #8, organised by Research Centre for Biosystematic and Evolution, Indonesian Research and Innovation Agency
Title: Genetic and genomic basis of adaptation and speciation
17 Mar 2023: Seminar on Biology, organised by Animal Biosciences Study Programme, Department of Biology, IPB University Graduate School
Title: Behaviour, sex and speciation
Contributed presentations
Sep 2021: European Society for Evolutionary Biology (ESEB) Congress 2021 (satellite symposia understanding reproductive isolation), IST Austria
Title: Asymmetric reproductive isolation between populations of Henosepilachna diekei ladybird beetle
Dec 2020: British Ecological Society Annual Meeting (Festival of Ecology) 2020, UK (virtual)
Title: Asymmetric reproductive isolation between eco-morphologically diversified populations of the phytophagous ladybird beetle Henosepilachna diekei
Nov 2020: 2nd International Symposium on Transdisciplinary Approach for Knowledge Co-creation in Sustainability (ISTAKCOS) 2020, Indonesia
Title: The surprising role of ecology along the speciation continuum: a case of phytophagous ladybird beetle Henosepilachna diekei
Oct 2020: 5th International Biology Conference (IBOC) 2020, Indonesia
Title: Ongoing speciation process between geographically isolated host races of the phytophagous ladybird beetle Henosepilachna diekei
Dec 2019: 1st International Symposium on Indonesian Fauna (ISIF) 2019, Indonesia
Title: Morphologically similar species in Patuha: Epilachna gedeensis or novel species?
Nov 2019: Commemoration Symposium on National Plant and Animal Love Day (HCPSN) 2019, Indonesia
Title: Recent updates on Indonesian epilachnine beetles: diversity and contribution on speciation research
Aug 2019: 3rd International Conference on Biosciences (ICoBio) 2019, Indonesia
Title: Revisiting diversity of coccinellid beetle in Mount Gede-Pangrango National Park: a preliminary observation
Awards
Dec 2020: Best graduate of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, IPB University, Indonesia
Oct 2020: 1st place best poster presenter, 5th IBOC 2020, Sepuluh November Institute of Technology, Indonesia
Nov 2019: 1st place best poster presenter, HCPSN 2019, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia
Aug 2019: 1st place best poster presenter, 3rd ICoBio 2019, IPB University, Indonesia
Media appearances
CNN Indonesia, national television news channel interviewed my testimony as a former recipient of Jakarta Excellence Student Card, Oct 2022
Jakarta capital city government education authorities (DisDik) invites me to deliver opening remarks at Naramuda Jakarta launching ceremony as part of rebranding Jakarta Excellence Student Card, May 2021
RRI Bogor 106.8 Pro 2 FM, national public radio network invites me to share my experience as best graduate of my faculty at IPB University, Feb 2021
IPB University news covers my background and journey to become the best graduate of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Dec 2020
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