Beatrice Valerie: a Research Volunteer and Prestigious SURF Program Awardee in China

Jakarta, 19 November 2025 – Securing a competitive international research position while still an undergraduate is a major achievement. Beatrice Valerie Basuki, a rising star in i3L’s Biomedicine Cohort 2023, has done just that. She has been selected as a Research Volunteer and the highly distinguished SURF Program Awardee (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship) at Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University (XJTLU) in China.

Valerie’s journey is an inspiring example of how early laboratory training and determination can lead to cutting-edge global opportunities, defining what it means to be a successful SURF program awardee.

Decoding Genetics: Valerie’s Role as a SURF Program Awardee

Valerie is not just an intern; she’s a recognized scholar tackling one of the most exciting areas in modern biology: reverse aging through genetic editing. Her project focuses on investigating reverse aging using advanced genetic editing techniques, supervised by Dr. Yong Shen at Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University (XJTLU), China.

High-Level Lab Responsibilities

As a surf program awardee, Valerie is deeply embedded in the research process, gaining hands-on mastery of advanced molecular biology techniques:

Core Lab Skills: Running PCR reactions, performing sophisticated cell culturing, and executing CRISPR-Cas9 genetic engineering.
Scientific Communication: She is also responsible for designing and preparing the scientific poster that will be presented at the university science fair at the program’s conclusion.

The i3L Advantage: Lab Skills for the Global Stage

How did Valerie confidently step into a demanding international lab environment and immediately contribute to projects involving CRISPR? She credits the foundation built at i3L.

Mastering Hard Skills Early: “As i3L incorporates laboratory practices from the very first year, I was able to develop and master fundamental laboratory skills from early on,” Valerie shared. This early and continuous exposure ensured she could easily adapt to the new equipment and complex methods in China.
Sharpening Essential Soft Skills: Beyond the technical expertise, i3L experience helped her sharpen two essential soft skills for any professional setting: critical thinking and time management discipline. These skills are paramount when coordinating tasks across a multi-stage, complex research project.

Valerie’s Playbook: Tips for Aspiring Research Volunteers

Valerie offers simple yet powerful advice for any student dreaming of becoming a surf program awardee or securing a similar elite research role:

Push Your Limits and Believe: “You should always keep pushing hard and believe in yourself that you can accomplish more than what you think.” Self-belief is the necessary ingredient to take on big challenges and apply for competitive programs.
Mistakes Are Part of the Process: Don’t fear failure in the lab or in applications. “Every experiment trial, every internship application, every action you take is a learning opportunity.” Never be afraid to make mistakes—they are the fastest way to learn and improve.
Stay Curious and Ask Questions: Research is collaborative. Valerie stresses the importance of never hesitating to ask questions of professionals, lecturers, or seniors. “Who knows, the insights may take you elsewhere around the world!”

Beatrice Valerie Basuki’s achievement as a SURF Program Awardee at XJTLU is a true testament to the power of a strong academic foundation coupled with personal drive. She is proof that sophisticated research opportunities are well within reach for dedicated undergraduates.

ABOUT BIOMEDICINE

i3L’s Biomedicine program focuses on research and innovation that bridges the study on human health and disease with therapeutic and diagnostic development. Currently, our program offers three specialization streams that focus on tumor biology, infectious disease, and bioinformatics. We utilize the triple-helix approach, which involves the interactions between academia, industry, and government, that strategies and implements the most relevant biomedicine research and development to the community.