TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Few scientists traverse disciplines as widely as from biochemistry to law, from NASA laboratories to law lecture halls in Jakarta. Prof. Dr. Raymond R. Tjandrawinata is that exception.
His name gained further prominence in 2025 when he was elected as a Full Member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society—an international scientific body that has hosted more than 200 Nobel laureates. For Indonesia, this milestone is more than just a personal recognition; it symbolizes the nation’s presence in the world’s most prestigious scientific forum.
Academic Journey: From Molecules to Public Policy
Raymond began his academic path with an MS and PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology of health, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at UC San Francisco School of Medicine, where he specialized in molecular pharmacology of prostaglandin derivatives as oncology drugs.
His research even reached NASA, where he studied human bone osteoporosis in space. Yet, he realized that science alone was not enough. He then pursued an interdisciplinary approach, delving into health economics at UC Berkeley, gaining insights into financing, system efficiency, and national health resource allocation.
Not stopping there, he advanced into the legal field—earning a Master’s degree at IBLAM and currently undertaking a Doctor of Law at Universitas Pelita Harapan, with a primary focus on health law, intellectual property, and social welfare. He further broadened his ethical horizons by completing a Master of Advanced Studies in Theology at Domuni University, France, affirming his conviction that law and science must operate within an ethical framework.
OMAI and Indonesia’s Pharmaceutical Independence
For over two decades, Raymond has served as Director of Business Development and Scientific Affairs at Dexa Group, where dozens of Indonesian Indigenous Modern Medicines (Obat Modern Asli Indonesia/OMAI) were developed—merging the nation’s biodiversity with global biomedical standards.
OMAI is more than a pharmaceutical product; it is a strategy for national independence. “Public health cannot depend on imports. We must stand on our own,” he emphasized in various forums.
Prestigious Recognitions and Global Footprint
Raymond’s academic contributions have earned him wide recognition. He has received the Habibie Award in Medicine and Biotechnology, the WIPO Medal for Inventor Award, and was listed among the Top 100 Medical and Health Sciences Scientists in Indonesia by the AD Scientific Index. In Indonesia’s SINTA index, he was also named Best Researcher in Science and Technology.
Now, as a Full Member of Sigma Xi, Raymond stands shoulder to shoulder with global scientists, positioning Indonesia in global conversations on health, pharmaceutical regulations, and social justice.
Advancing Equitable Health Law
His legal research focuses primarily on health law and intellectual property law. He has examined the sustainability of Indonesia’s National Health Insurance (JKN), BPJS governance, medicine accessibility, and patent flexibility under the TRIPS framework.
On patents, Raymond advocates for an adaptive legal system: balancing patent holders’ exclusive rights with public interests to ensure open access to medicines. “Patents should not be seen merely as individual protection, but as tools of public policy,” he stated.
Vision: Indonesia on the Global Scientific Stage
Raymond’s long-term vision is both simple and ambitious: to develop a legal and health policy framework that is adaptive, ethical, and rooted in social welfare.
With a multidisciplinary foundation—science, law, economics, and theology—he aspires to position Indonesia as an active player in international dialogues on the right to health.
“Science and law must return to their core purpose: to deliver justice and health for all,” said Raymond, who also serves as Honorary Professor at Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya.
About Sigma Xi
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, is an international organization of scientists and engineers with more than 200,000 members since its founding. Full membership is granted based on significant research achievements, including scientific publications, patents, and academic contributions. Notable past members include Albert Einstein, Linus Pauling, Francis Crick, and James Watson.
With a track record that bridges science, law, and public policy, Prof. Dr. Raymond R. Tjandrawinata exemplifies a new model of a scientist—one who does not only work in laboratories but also engages in legal courtrooms and international policy forums. (*)
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