I graduated from Agricultural Product Technology, Universita Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh-Indonesia in 2005 with Distinction predicate. Then, I have worked directly in the same department. In this department, I have been involved in Food Microbiology, Fermentation Technology and Food Safety courses. My research interests are Dairy Fermented Products and Food Microbiology and Food Safety on Coconut, Cocoa, and Coffee. To increase the quality of my teaching and research, I gained knowledge from MRes (2008-2010) and PhD (2011-2016) in Biosciences at The University of Nottingham-UK majoring in Food Microbiology and Food Safety working with Prof. Christine E. R. Dodd and Dr. Rob Linforth.

My PhD research topic was about microbial dynamics of raw milk cheese ripening. In this study, Stichelton, a blue-veined cheese made from unpasteurised milk by the same process as Stilton cheese, was examined by traditional culturing methods and molecular approach methods (PCR-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis) of the bacterial 16S rDNA. The survival of Lactococcus lactis strains in a mature Stichelton was examined by sub-species differentiation of the isolates using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and genomic plasmid profiling. The response of Staphylococcus equorum isolated from Cheeses to acid and salt was also examined. Furthermore, the interaction between a mixed starter Lactococcus lactis, Penicillium roqueforti and a non-starter Staphylococcus equorum isolated from the crust of Stilton cheese was investigated in a small cheese model. Finally, the sensory properties of the cheese models were analysed using Solid Phase Micro Extraction with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (SPME GC-MS).

During my PhD, I was a member of Society for Applied Microbiology (SfAM), Society for General Microbiology (SGM), Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology (SOFHT) and Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). The main benefit I got by joining these societies is that I had a chance to apply the grants to attend a conference. The list of grants I received and conference I attended could be seen below. Currently, I am a member of Indonesian Society for Microbiology (PERMI) and American Dairy Science Association (ADSA).

GRANTS

2018: Lektor (Assistant Professor) Research Grants of Syiah Kuala University, Indonesia

2015: FEMS (Federation of European Microbiological Societies) Young Scientist Meeting Grants

2015: IAFP (International Association of Food Protection) Student Travel Scholarship

2014: ICFMH (International Committee of Food Microbiology and Hygiene) Scientific Meeting Grants

2013: SGM (Society for General Microbiology) Scientific Meeting Travel Grants

2013: FEMS (Federation of European Microbiological Societies) Young Scientist Meeting Grants

2013: SfAM (Society for Applied Microbiology) Conference Studentship

2010: Young Lecturer Research Grants – Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia

CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS

1. Dewi Yunita, Yusriana, Yuliani Aisyah, Martina Fitri Wahyuni. Flavour Compounds Profile of Cacao Beans from Pidie District, Aceh Province, Indonesia. International Conference on Green Agro-Industry and Bioeconomy. Malang-Indonesia, 18-20 September 2018. (Oral).


2. Martina Fitri Wahyuni, Dewi Yunita, Yusriana, Yuliani Aisyah. Chemical and Microbiological Characteristics of Cocoa Beans from Pidie District, Aceh Province, Indonesia. The 8th Annual International Conference on Health Life Sciences, Syiah Kuala University. 12-14 September 2018. (Poster).


3. Irfan, Farhan Mirazi Hidayat, Rasdiansyah, Dewi Yunita. Addition of Tofu Pulp Waste in the Production of Bokashi with Local Microorganisms. Internasional Seminar of Indonesian Society for Microbiology. Palembang-Indonesia, 14-15 November 2017. (Oral)


4. Dewi Yunita and Christine E. R. Dodd. Antifungal Activity of A Cell-Free Supernatant of Staphylococcus equorum Isolated from A Raw Milk Blue-Veined Cheese. 5th IUMS Outreach Programme: Advances in Food Safety and Mycotoxins. Yogyakarta-Indonesia, 19-20 January 2017. (Poster)


5. Christine E.R. Dodd, Dewi Yunita, Vijith Jayamanne, Contantina Apostolou, and Robert Linforth, Effect of Raw Milk and Relative Humidity in Influencing The Characteristics of A Mould-Ripened Blue-Veined Cheese. Food Micro 2016. Dublin-Ireland, 19-22 July 2016. (Oral and Poster)


6. Dewi Yunita, Jihan Sherif, Robert Linforth, and Christine E. R. Dodd. The Role of Staphylococcus equorum in Influencing The Characteristics of A Mould Ripened Blue-Veined Raw Milk Cheese. Microbial Diversity 2015. Perugia-Italy, 27-29 October 2015. (Poster).


7. Dewi Yunita, Constantina Apostolou, Konstantinos Gkatzionis, Robert Linforth, and Christine E. R. Dodd The Role of Debaromycess hansenii in Influencing The Characteristics of Stilton-Style Blue Cheeses. SfAM Summer Conference. Dublin-Ireland, 29 June-2 July 2015. (Oral and Poster).


8. Dewi Yunita, Jihan Sherif, and Christine E. R. Dodd. The Response of Staphylococcus equorum Isolated from Cheeses to Acid and Salt. Food Micro 2014. Nantes-France, 1-4 September 2014. (Poster).


9. Dewi Yunita, Jihan Sherif, and Christine E. R. Dodd. Interaction between Lactococcus lactis and Staphylococcus equorum in Small Cheese Models. The Science of Artisan Cheese. Somerset-UK, 19-20 August 2014. (Poster).


10. Dewi Yunita, Jihan Sherif, and Christine E. R. Dodd. The Presence of Staphylococcus equorum in Cheeses. Microbial Diversity 2013. Turin-Italy, 23-25 October 2013. (Poster: 3rd Winner).


11. Dewi Yunita and Christine E. R. Dodd. Phenotypic Diversity of Lactococcus lactis in The Production of Stichelton, A Raw Milk Cheese. SfAM Summer Conference.  Cardiff-UK, 1-4 July 2013. (Poster).


12. Dewi Yunita and Christine E. R. Dodd. 16S rDNA PCR-DGGE As A Tool To Identify Microbial Changes During Stichelton Cheese Production. The Inaugural SfAM-PECS Conference. London-UK, 25 October 2012. (Oral and Poster).


13. Dewi Yunita and Christine E. R. Dodd. The Microbial Flora Dynamics of A Blue-Veined Raw Milk Cheese. Food Micro 2012. Istanbul-Turkey, 3-7 September 2012. (Poster).


14. Dewi Yunita. A Comparison of The Microflora of Blue-Veined Cheese: Stichelton and Stilton. The Science of Artisan Cheese. Somerset-UK, 28-29 August 2012. (Oral).


15. Dewi Yunita and Christine E. R. Dodd. Improving A Raw Milk Cheese Production by Microorganisms Identification. Research Showcase 2012. The University of Nottingham-UK, 14 June 2012. (Poster).

ADDRESS:

Universitas Syiah Kuala, Fakultas Pertanian, Jurusan Teknologi Hasil Pertanian

Jl. Tgk. Hasan Krueng Kalee No.3

Darussalam, Banda Aceh - 23111

Indonesia