Update: My first baby publication!

Hello there,

Almost exactly a year after I have posted in this blog. Things have been pretty busy from Russia (September 2018) until now.

But for now, things are getting (a little bit) calmer. Especially after I have published my first paper entitled Structural basis for a highly (S)-enantioselective reductase towards aliphatic ketones with only one carbon difference between side chain in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology.

You can visit and download it from the journal home-page here if your institution has a subscription.

If you do not have access, please look at this view-only version kindly provided by Shared It functions of Springer Nature.

 

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So what had happened in between October 2018 and now?

So basically, after Russia, I went back to Japan and was busy trying to help my Sensei in organizing our conference. It was a wrap as my first oral presentation at an international conference.

The 20th Biocatalysis Symposium of Japan (the student committee head is sitting on the left, lol)

Answering question from Professor Harald Gröger ❤

I was also able to deposit my protein crystal structure in the Protein Data Bank. Thank you Professor Toshiya and Miki Senda, finally we did it!

My last day in Tsukuba!

After that, I went to a two months internship at Professor Daron M. Standley laboratory in BIKEN Osaka University to study about docking simulation and a little bit of molecular dynamics simulation. It was a very nice break!

My last day at Osaka University!

After that, I came back to Tokyo to focus on writing on my publication. To make a very long and “interesting” story very short, I am here right now. Successfully publishing one paper and having my protein structure deposited in PDB. Alhamdulillah.

I am thankful to God that although I shattered pretty bad, but I was able to recollect myself. I am thankful to God that He has given me the power of not giving up.

 

So what’s for now, bunny?

Currently, I am waiting for the review of another original article, and just waiting for the timing to submit two other original articles.

To make again a very long story short, I have decided to extend my study period until March 2020. I am still working on a book chapter, a mini-review as well as my thesis. Meanwhile, as a research assistant, I have a collaboration project that I need to do. Not to forget about the job-hunting! Seems like it is going to be a busy last semester.

 

With love,

  

Afifa Ayu Koesoema

 

 

 

May Allah leads us all the way

Hello everyone!

 

How was life? Here in Japan, it’s getting colder and colder because it’s already in the end of November. However, lately things are getting better and better, in my opinion. Nothing change much in the terms of academic, instead I found myself a new (quite cool) topic of synthesizing cool drugs. But in the case of my heart? Dramatic change happened.

 

So i guess i found myself in a wrong relationship for 4 years, idk. For long. And to be honest i was kinda losing myself and my grip, and even my trust to everyone during those times. Imagine?

But finally I have the courage to let go of what’s not good for me.

Start fresh and suddenly unexpectedly God has turned my faith and gave me a leap of destiny *okay exaggerating mode of talking : on*

 

Honestly i never felt this better in life. Finally i have got the contentment of life, like, finally be able to love myself and think that I am good enough. Finally feeling that I am being loved by so many people, my family, my best friends, my lab mates, and everyone. World is of course not perfect, but it is so wonderful right now.

And more wonderfully, I think I have developed a better connection and relation with God, Allah SWT.

I was put in a situation where I have to combine my favorite activity (teaching) with Islam. And yes, as always, to be able to teach someone, the thing that you should do is to learn more about the things. Just like teaching enzymology or how to do experiment 🙂 So I am trying hard to fix my Salah (more punctual and so on, especially now someone is somehow reminding me to do it, although he’s not yet doing it), improve my understanding about the basic principle of Islam as well as reading Al Quran more studiously.

Trying to put it together, explaining how Islamic principle is wonderful and very applicable in the modern life. And of course how it can be explained in the scientific way #becausewearePhDcandidates #nerdleague

 

So I would like to put my utmost gratitude from God to send me a catalyst that can make me see myself as a better person, pursue my career to be better, fixing my relation with everyone, and at the same time make me try to know God better 🙂

To put it simple, make me happy, thank you Nerd and Mr. Nerd (the violin).

 

Are we out of the woods yet?

Of course not, this is a big and serious challenge. We have no intention to hide or avoid it, the difference that we have. Kudos for him to put himself in this situation and his willingness to try, fight, and learn. Baby steps everyday, it will be okay.

 

May Allah leads us all the way.

 

 

With loads of love,

 

 

Afifa Ayu Koesoema