The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at Universitas Indonesia (UI) has awarded a Doctoral degree to Lepa Syahrani from the Biology Study Program through an Open Doctoral Promotion Session held on Friday (May 16, 2025), at the Prof. Dr. G.A. Siwabessy Auditorium, FMIPA UI, Depok. Lepa successfully earned her doctorate with cum laude honors and a perfect Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.00.
In her dissertation titled “Detection of Alleles and Resistance Mechanisms in Mosquitoes Anopheles sp. Main Malaria Vectors Resistance to Permethrin (Pyrethroid) and Bendiocarb (Carbamate) in Indonesia," Dr. Lepa revealed a serious threat arising from mosquito resistance to two major insecticides that have long been used in malaria control, particularly in endemic areas such as Papua and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
The research was conducted in Keerom Regency, Papua, as well as in West Sumba and Southwest Sumba Regencies, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), using bioassay, biochemical, and molecular approaches. Dr. Lepa's findings indicate that resistance to the insecticide permethrin has occurred in both Papua and Sumba, while bendiocarb remains effective. The emergence of resistance to permethrin has reduced the effectiveness of malaria control interventions, such as the use of insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying.
“This research highlights an urgent issue in malaria control. These findings serve as a critical warning to update data-driven vector control strategies using molecular approaches,” said Dr. Lepa during the presentation of her research findings before the examination committee.
In her research, Dr. Lepa recommended routine monitoring of mosquito vector resistance using both phenotypic and genotypic approaches, the discontinuation of permethrin as the active ingredient in insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying (IRS), and other vector interventions, as well as the adoption of innovative approaches such as spatial repellents in malaria vector control. She also emphasized the importance of using molecular markers to detect resistance at an early stage, which would aid in formulating adaptive and evidence-based malaria control strategies.
The open session featured Prof. Anom Bowolaksono, Ph.D. (Department of Biology, FMIPA UI) as the promoter, along with Astari Dwiranti, M.Eng., Ph.D. (Department of Biology, FMIPA UI), and Dr. Puji Budi Setia Asih (Eijkman Molecular Biology Research Center and BRIN) as co-promoters.
Prof. Anom Bowolaksono, as the promoter, expressed his appreciation for Dr. Lepa’s research, which he considered highly relevant in the context of public health in Indonesia. He emphasized that mosquito vector resistance to insecticides is one of the main challenges in malaria control programs, especially in endemic areas such as Papua and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
“This research offers concrete solutions to address the increasingly concerning problem of insecticide resistance. The molecular and biochemical approaches used provide new insights that are not only scientific but can also serve as a reference for policymakers in formulating more effective and sustainable malaria control strategies,” said Prof. Anom.
For your information, based on data from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia in 2024, Papua recorded the highest Annual Parasite Incidence (API) in Indonesia at 156.59, followed by Gorontalo and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) with APIs of 1.3 and 1.25 respectively for regions outside Papua Island. Mosquito vector resistance poses a major challenge in Indonesia’s efforts to eliminate malaria, which have so far relied heavily on insecticide-based control measures.
