Dorothea Megarani’s PhD focus is Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV), which she is researching under the supervision of Dr. Kuttichantran Subramaniam. Her goal is to develop a CRISPR-based field diagnostic tool and to explore how environmental factors like glyphosate affect disease outcomes in aquaculture. Originally from Indonesia, Dorothea plans to return home to advance sustainable fish health research and education.
Read the full interview here:
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your academic journey?
My name is Dorothea Megarani, and I’m originally from Indonesia. I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia and obtained a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Missouri with a Fulbright Scholarship. I am currently working as a junior faculty member at Universitas Gadjah Mada, my former university, where my interest in the emergence of aquatic animal pathogens in aquaculture has grown. While exploring opportunities to pursue a Ph.D. in this area and reaching out to several professors, I was fortunate to connect with Dr. Tom Waltzek (former PI) and Dr. Kuttichantran Subramaniam from the Wildlife and Aquatic Veterinary Disease Laboratory (WAVDL) at the UF. After speaking with them, I knew it was the right fit for me to study emerging pathogens in aquaculture here. In 2021, I started my Ph.D. studies under the supervision of Dr. Kuttichantran Subramaniam, focusing on Tilapia Lake Virus Disease. Once I finish my program, I plan to return to Indonesia and continue working and conducting research there.
What area of research are you currently involved in as part of your studies?
My research focuses specifically on the Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV). This virus is a major concern in the tilapia aquaculture industry, causing a severe disease that leads to significant economic losses. First, I’m developing a new diagnostic tool for TiLV that can be used directly in the field or on farms, utilizing the CRISPR/Cas system. Secondly, I’m also studying the pathogenesis of the virus in the grower stage of tilapia to understand how the disease progresses in that life stage. Finally, I’m investigating how environmental toxins, especially glyphosate (a widely used herbicide), affect TiLV disease development. Overall, the goal of my work is to promote a management strategy that controls the disease and reduces its effects in aquaculture.
Why is this research important, and what potential impact could it have in the field?
One of my main projects is developing a field-deployable diagnostic tool for TiLV. This is especially important in areas where access to diagnostic laboratories is particularly limited. For example, in Indonesia, as the world’s second-largest tilapia producer, rapid and accurate detection during outbreaks is crucial. However, farmers often struggle to send samples to distant labs for testing. My goal is to create a simple, reliable diagnostic tool that can be used directly at the farms without expensive or sophisticated equipment. Also, my research on viral pathogenesis in grower-stage tilapia is important for identifying the most susceptible life stages to TiLV infection, so preventive measures like vaccination can be more effectively targeted. The glyphosate exposure project helps us understand how herbicide runoff might make fish more susceptible to infections. Since glyphosate has been reported as one of the aquatic contaminants in tilapia farms, this work has real-world implications for improving fish health and sustainable aquaculture practices.
Can you describe a current project you’re working on?
I’m nearing the completion of my main PhD projects, but working in Dr. Subramaniam’s lab has also given me the chance to participate in other research areas, such as virus discovery and the development and validation of diagnostic assays for different viruses. I’ve been involved in several ongoing projects in the lab, which have broadened my skills and knowledge beyond my dissertation focus. I feel very fortunate to have had such diverse training opportunities.
What research methods or techniques are you using, and how did you learn them?
Our lab uses a wide range of techniques. I’ve gained a lot of experience with molecular and biomedical methods like PCR, cell culture, virus isolation, and molecular cloning. For my projects, I’m also using the CRISPR/Cas system, which is integrated for the TiLV diagnostic assay. In the lab, we also conduct in vivo experimental studies using fish, so I gained a lot of knowledge about the aquatic system while performing these studies. I learned a great deal from Dr. Roy Yanong of UF IFAS about fish diseases and the aquatic ecosystem during these studies, too. Also, I’m analyzing the blood analytes, from which I gained a lot of knowledge from Dr. Nicole Stacy from the LACS department. Dr. Chris Martyniuk from the Department of Physiological Sciences also helped me a lot with the toxicology and gene expression analyses, and I learned histopathology and in situ hybridization techniques from Dr. Felipe Pierezan and Dr. Robert Ossiboff from the CDPM department. Finally, Dr. Julie Moore from the IDI department had always encouraged me to stay open-minded about research questions in my projects and inspired me to present data in a more engaging way. I’m grateful for the opportunities to work with and learn from them.
Are you collaborating with other students, faculty, or institutions? How have those collaborations shaped your experience?
Yes, working with Dr. Subramaniam has opened many collaboration opportunities. Not only on my dissertation projects, but he also encourages us to contribute to different projects, which has allowed me to work with students and researchers both within UF, other universities, and internationally. We got the Cas enzyme for my work from Dr. Piyush Jain in UF’s Chemical Engineering department. I’ve also collaborated with teams from the CVM UF, IFAS UF (Dr. Roy Yanong), the University of California, Davis (Dr. Esteban Soto), the University of Sydney (Dr. Joy Becker), and Kasetsart University, Thailand (Dr. Win Surachetpong – now at the University of Stirling), among others. These experiences have not only enriched my Ph.D. journey but will continue to shape my future career.
Have you received any awards, fellowships, or recognitions you’d like to talk about?
My PhD has been supported by a Block Grant Award from the College of Veterinary Medicine, UF, which funded me from my first through fourth year. For my field-deployable diagnostic assay project, our lab received funding support from the USDA NIFA grant. In 2023, I got the Certificate of Outstanding Merit from the CVM UF during the 2023 International Student Achievement Awards. Last year, I was awarded 3rd place for the poster presentation during Phi Zeta Day 2024 in the Graduate Students/MS: Residents category. In that same year, I presented my research at the 2024 International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine (IAAAM) conference in Ireland. I was fortunate to receive travel funding from both the VGSA and IDI department, and I was awarded the Best Presenter Award at this conference. It was an incredible experience, both academically and personally, as it was my first time visiting Europe.
What do you enjoy doing outside of your research and academic responsibilities?
I make sure to take a day or two off each week to relax and recharge. I love watching soccer games, especially the English Premier League. A hobby I’ve recently picked up is aquascaping, which is like underwater gardening. It involves arranging aquatic plants, rocks, driftwood, and other materials to create a natural landscape in an aquarium. I actually got into it when another Ph.D. student in our lab was moving and offered me her fish. At first, I said, “I don’t have time!” Now I have two tanks full of guppies, tetras, and aquatic plants. It’s been such a fun and calming hobby.
How can others learn more about your work or get in touch with you?
Phone Number: (352) 283-5293
Email: dorotheamegarani@ufl.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothea-megarani-a96888a2/
What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing your area of study?
Aquaculture is a growing global industry with endless research opportunities, especially in areas related to food security and environmental sustainability. My advice is to jump in and make the most of every opportunity. Even if you focus on a specific topic, like I do with one virus, the skills and knowledge you gain can apply to many other species and pathogens. Most importantly, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Take breaks, enjoy life, and come back to your work refreshed and motivated.
Interviewer: Julia Martin, UF Undergraduate
Interview with Dorothea Megarani
Transcribed: 10/6/2025
