As a researcher, I draw immense pleasure from losing myself in the intricate and complex studies of ecotoxicology, endocrine disrupting compounds, emerging pollutants, marine pollution, and marine ecosystems in general. 

Here are a few research areas in which I am focusing:

1.       Ecotoxicology of emerging pollutants

Investigation of the biological responses of aquatic organisms to emerging pollutants, understanding the impacts of these pollutants on the health of marine ecosystems, and the mechanisms behind these impacts. In a world where anthropogenic activities are unstoppable, our earth is constantly being introduced to newly emerging pollutants and risks. I am particularly interested in pharmaceuticals, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), various newly marketed organic compounds and heavy metals. In addition, I am fascinated by the ways in which these compounds combine with natural environmental variations (e.g. temperature) as multiple stressors, in the context of climate change.

2.       Sex-specific targets of emerging pollutants

Still in the subject of ecotoxicology, I am looking specifically at how pollutants affect the reproduction of aquatic organisms, which can potentially impact their natural populations, and ultimately the health of marine ecosystems. This includes studying the mechanisms underlying the recorded effects.

3.       Biomarker and biotests development

In relation to the two subjects above, I also have a great interest in the development of biomarkers and biotests for these emerging pollutants, either for detection purposes (biomonitoring) or to be used to inform regulation, policy, and campaigns enforcing the decreasing of harmful compounds released in the environment.

Current project:

Reduction of Pollution by endocrine disrupting compounds at source: innovative products for the commercial lab market (RedPol)

Previous projects:

1. Human Pharmaceuticals in the Marine Environment: Evidence of occurrence, direct impact and potential ecotoxicological effects on blue mussels, Mytilus edulis.

2. Biological responses in mussels (Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758) exposed to high temperature and metformin under laboratory conditions.

3. China-Indonesia ecological station establishment and marine biodiversity investigation in North Sulawesi Sea. A collaborative research between The Third Institute of Oceanography (TIO), State Oceanic Administration (SOA) China and Research Center for Oceanography (RCO), Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).

4. Seagrass biodiversity and its inhabitants in Bitung waters and Southern Minahasa, North Sulawesi. Indonesian Institute of Sciences.

5. Stock assessment and ecology of Banggai cardinal fish (Pterapogon kauderni) in Lembeh Strait, Bitung, North Sulawesi. Indonesian Institute of Sciences.

6. Conservation of Indonesian coelacanth fish (Latimeria menadoensis), the living fossil. A collaborative project between Aquamarine Fukushima - Japan, Sam Ratulangi University, and Indonesian Institute of Sciences.

Dr Wulan Koagouw is a passionate and professional biologist whose research focuses on environmental issues. After attaining a BSc in Biology, she started off her professional career as a Research Assistant at the Biotechnology Service Unit, Sam Ratulangi University, Indonesia where she was responsible for assisting in the biotechnology laboratory mostly in relation to molecular biology techniques. She then joined PT. Water Laboratory Nusantara (part of WaterLaboratorium Noord, Netherland) and worked as a Laboratory Analyst, where she developed a solid grounding in laboratory analysis in water chemistry and microbiology conformed to ISO/IEC 17025. She worked for a short period of time at PT. Tirta Investama (part of the Danone group) as a Laboratory Quality Control Supervisor, before being recruited by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), a government authority for research and science in Indonesia. These positions have allowed her to develop many different skills pertaining to the planning, designing, and conducting of research projects, including fieldwork experience in many different professional settings: academia, industry, and government.

She then decided to return to the classroom and gained her MRes in Biosciences from the University of Brighton, in which she studied the impact of metformin and temperature as multiple stressors on the reproduction of blue mussels Mytilus edulis. She did not stop at that point, instead pursuing a higher degree. Her doctoral research investigated the occurrence, direct impact and potential ecotoxicological effects of paracetamol and metformin on M. edulis. The COVID-19 pandemic that rocked the world in 2020 apparently could not stop her either, as later in that year she completed her PhD in Ecotoxicology from the University of Brighton. Throughout her educational journey, she has won numerous awards and funding, including the prestigious Chevening Award (FCO, UK government) and the Research and Innovation in Science and Technology Project (RISET-Pro).