HUMAS FARMASI USU – The Doctoral Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara once again conducted a Doctoral Promotion Examination (Open Session) for the Even Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year on Thursday, May 7, 2026, starting at 10:00 WIB until completion at the IMT-GT Room, 2nd Floor, BPA Building USU. This academic activity forms part of the Faculty of Pharmacy USU’s commitment to supporting scientific research development and improving the quality of doctoral education in pharmaceutical sciences and healthcare.
During the open session, doctoral candidate Christica Ilsanna Surbakti presented her dissertation entitled “Analysis and Evaluation of Contaminants and Toxicity Testing of Arsenic in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Several Areas of North Sumatra.” The research discussed the analysis of arsenic content in rice consumed by the community and the evaluation of its toxicity levels to human health, particularly in several regions of North Sumatra.
The doctoral promotion examination was chaired by Prof. Khairunnisa, S.Si., M.Pharm., Ph.D., Apt. as the session chair. During the examination process, the candidate was supervised by a promoter team consisting of Prof. Dr. Masfria, M.S., Apt. as the main promoter, alongside Dr. apt. Dadang Irfan Husori, M.Sc. and Dr. T. Ismanelly Hanum, M.Si., Apt. as co-promoters.
The doctoral examination also involved an examining committee consisting of Dr. Aminah Dalimunthe, S.Si., M.Si., Apt.; Prof. Drs. Manihar Situmorang, M.Sc., Ph.D.; and Prof. Dr. Fajar Apollo Sinaga, M.Si., Apt. The examiners provided various scientific questions, feedback, and evaluations regarding the research findings presented during the open session.
Research on arsenic contamination in rice is considered highly important in the fields of public health and food safety. Arsenic is a heavy metal that may cause toxic effects on human health when exposure occurs over a prolonged period. Therefore, this research is expected to serve as a scientific basis for food quality monitoring, improving rice consumption safety, and developing public health policies related to heavy metal contamination in food products.
The implementation of this doctoral promotion examination also reflects the Faculty of Pharmacy USU’s commitment to producing doctoral graduates who are excellent, innovative, and capable of making meaningful contributions through research that benefits society. In addition to strengthening academic and research culture, this activity also demonstrates the active role of higher education institutions in addressing various public health and environmental issues developing within society.
This activity also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being through improving public health quality, Goal 4: Quality Education through strengthening higher education and scientific research, Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production through attention to food safety and consumption quality, and Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through the development of innovation and research in pharmaceutical sciences and healthcare.