EduAsiaNews, Jakarta – The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ), Dr. dr. H. Taufiq Fredrik Pasiak, M.Kes., M.Pd.I., S.H., M.H., CIPA, has received international academic recognition after being appointed Adjunct Professor in Neuroscience by Universiti Geomatika Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The appointment was conferred on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, following the delivery of his inaugural lecture entitled “The Brain That Transcends Itself: Neuroplasticity, Gene-Environment Interaction, and the Birth of Geospatial Neuroscience.” This recognition marks a significant milestone for the Faculty of Medicine UPNVJ in advancing research and innovation in neuroscience, mental health, and geospatial technology across the ASEAN region.
The honorary appointment was awarded in recognition of Dr. Taufiq’s contributions to developing an interdisciplinary framework that integrates neuroscience, human health, environmental studies, and geospatial technology. Through the concept of Geospatial Medicine, he has introduced a novel approach to understanding how living environments, workplaces, and social surroundings influence brain health and mental well-being.
Dr. Taufiq explained that the concept emerged from the development of the Biomedical Study Program at the Faculty of Medicine, UPNVJ. The program comprises three areas of specialization: Neuroscience, Human Performance and Mental Health; Geoepigenetics; and Hyperbaric Medicine. Among these, neuroscience and mental health, together with geoepigenetics, have become the program’s primary areas of focus.
“Geoepigenetics is an emerging scientific discipline that examines changes in gene expression resulting from spatial environmental influences, including where people live, work, and interact. This approach bridges medical science with spatial and geographical studies,” Dr. Taufiq explained.
During his inaugural lecture, Dr. Taufiq highlighted the concept of Gene–Environment Interaction to demonstrate how environmental factors interact with biological mechanisms through epigenetic processes and neuroplasticity. He emphasized that the environment should not merely be regarded as the backdrop of human life but also as a biological determinant capable of shaping the architecture and function of the brain.
One of the central ideas presented in his lecture was the development of Geospatial Medicine. This emerging discipline integrates clinical neuroscience, geospatial technology, spatial mapping, and environmental data analysis to investigate the relationship between where people live and their risks of developing neurological and mental health conditions.
“For many years, we have focused on mapping where diseases occur. Moving forward, we need to understand how particular environments shape the risk of disease—including disorders affecting the brain,” he said.
According to Dr. Taufiq, this innovative concept was one of the key reasons behind Universiti Geomatika Malaysia’s decision to confer the academic appointment. While Universiti Geomatika Malaysia possesses strong expertise in geography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the Faculty of Medicine UPNVJ has developed significant academic strengths in clinical neuroscience and human health.
“This represents the convergence of two disciplines that have traditionally evolved independently. Medicine studies human beings, while geospatial science studies space. Through this approach, both disciplines are integrated to better understand how the environment shapes human health,” he remarked.
In addition to Geospatial Medicine, Dr. Taufiq also introduced PASH-BRAINS (Psychological Assessment of Spiritual Health and Brain Function Screening), an assessment instrument designed to evaluate neurobehavioral function by incorporating both conventional executive functions and transcendental executive functions. The instrument was granted a Simple Patent (Patent No. IDS000011533) by the Ministry of Law of the Republic of Indonesia on October 14, 2025.
For Dr. Taufiq, the appointment as Adjunct Professor in Neuroscience represents more than a personal achievement; it is recognition of the collective academic efforts devoted to developing innovative approaches in human health sciences. He emphasized that scientific innovation should ultimately generate broader societal benefits, particularly in addressing contemporary challenges related to mental health and brain health through more context-sensitive perspectives.
At the time of the appointment ceremony in Malaysia, the Faculty of Medicine UPNVJ was simultaneously undergoing a series of international accreditation assessments. Prioritizing the institution’s accreditation process, Dr. Taufiq was unable to attend the ceremony in person and entrusted his son to receive the appointment on his behalf.
“For me, this appointment is a recognition of the work we have undertaken to develop new approaches in environmental and human health sciences. Nevertheless, the interests of the university and the faculty remain my foremost priority because they provide far greater benefits to many people. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Rector Prof. Anter Venus for providing the support and opportunities that have enabled me to develop this field of study at UPNVJ,” he stated.
Through his appointment as Adjunct Professor in Neuroscience, Dr. Taufiq hopes to foster broader international research collaboration between UPNVJ and Universiti Geomatika Malaysia. The partnership is expected to focus on developing spatial data-driven mental health research across the ASEAN region, including the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the PASH-BRAINS instrument to map mental health indicators and the environmental factors that influence them.(www.upnvj.ac.id)
