28 January 2026

Positive Energy: Dessy Amalia Investigates Future Battery Solutions

When Dessy Amalia decided to pursue her PhD, she knew there would be challenges,from finding a scholarship and supervisor to juggling family life and managing a serious health condition.

Dessy’s journey from scholarship to PhD success reveals that personal resilience, commitment to research and skill at making connections were key ingredients.

Despite requiring kidney dialysis in her final year and being unable to access her laboratory for three months during the COVID lockdowns, Dessy completed important research at Murdoch University examining sustainable solutions for lithium-ion battery recycling.

Taking a Bold Leap into Further Study

As a researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional, or BRIN), Dessy was engaged in significant work in the field of mineral processing and extractive metallurgy.

Dessy felt the need to deepen her knowledge and skills and decided to pursue her PhD. In 2017, she contacted Murdoch University's Professor Aleksandar Nikoloski,^{^[1]} who was impressed with her research proposal. She then secured an Australia Awards Scholarship.

Before she departed for Australia, Dessy had concerns about whether she could keep up with the demanding pace of her studies. Her ongoing health condition required regular medical check-ups and treatments.

However, her supervisor was understanding, and she also received support from the Australia Awards Scholarship team. They covered all her medical expenses and offered mental health support whenever she needed it. This support network was crucial in helping Dessy maintain her focus and continue her research without compromising her health.

Initiating New Research Relationships

Dessy’s research focused on extractive metallurgy, specifically recycling lithium-ion batteries. Her project aimed to develop a method to extract valuable materials from waste batteriesthen use those materials to create new batteries.

To carry out her research, Dessy needed special equipment to shred the batteries. To access this, she decided to collaborate with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

'I remembered Professor Nikoloski and Professor (Pritam) Singh always telling me that I was the driver for this research project,’ she said.

Not only did the relationship with the CSIRO give Dessy access to advanced equipment and software for data interpretation, but it also significantly enhanced her research capabilities.

The support from CSIRO included assistance with sample preparation and data analysis, with her work supervised by Dr Wensheng Zhang.^{^[2]}

During her work, Dessy noticed significant differences in how laboratories operate in Australia. At CSIRO, for example, each researcher had a card for access to the facilities, and there were regular online training sessions for data management and intellectual property protection.

‘Not everyone could operate the tools, but when they did, they were well trained through specific workshops,’ she explained. ‘I was really impressed by how effectively the system works. Maybe someday, if I’m leading a research centre in Indonesia, I can implement this kind of system.'

Part of a Vibrant Community in Australia

In 2019, her second year in Australia, Dessy was selected as Vice President of the Murdoch Indonesia Association. She also participated in several community activities, including as an Indonesian Language Learning Ambassador (ILLA) in 2020, and as a Bahasa Indonesia tutor in the local community from 2018 to 2022.

'Joining ILLA was one of my most memorable experiences while living in Australia. At that time, I taught children in a local primary school how to play the angklung. It was fun and exciting,' she remembered.

'I also taught Bahasa Indonesia to several locals as part of my freelance work. It really broadened my perspective and helped me network with the local community.’

It was a busy schedule, and Dessy juggled multiple responsibilities, especially after her family joined her in Australia three months after her arrival.

'Honestly, my time management skills improved significantly,’ she remembered. ‘I’m grateful that my husband helped me a lot, and my child adapted well at school.’

In 2022, a year before returning to Indonesia, Dessy’s declining kidney function meant she needed regular dialysis to support her health. At that time, she requested more time from the university and Australia Awards representatives to complete her research and finish her studies.

'Because of this, my dissertation research was postponed for a year,’ said Dessy. ‘They were very considerate of my condition, recognising that my health issues did not diminish my capabilities.’

Strengthening Research Ties in Indonesia

After returning to Indonesia in 2023, Dessy applied the knowledge she gained from Australia and sought to deepen networking and research collaboration between BRIN and Australian institutions.

'Through my experiences in Australia, I realised the value of international collaboration and the importance of implementing best practices in research management,’ she said. ‘I hope to foster stronger ties between BRIN and Australian research institutions, promoting collaborative efforts that can drive innovation in both countries.'

Dessy facilitated initial discussions among BRIN, Murdoch University, and CSIRO via virtual meetings, generating early momentum for institutional collaboration.

'I hope this initial connection is more than just a formal introduction and will represent the beginning of what could become a long-term partnership between BRIN and these Australian institutions,’ she said.

In June 2024, Dessy and her Australian supervisors^{^[3]} published a journal article providing an in-depth analysis of various pretreatment methods for spent lithium-ion batteries. Specifically, it highlighted the different approaches across the Asia-Pacific region, offering valuable insights.

She has also been involved in discussions to open potential collaborations with KOMIR (Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation) and the Austrian Institute of Technology.

Looking ahead, Dessy is determined to continue her research in the field, developing innovative solutions to the pressing environmental challenges posed by waste materials, especially those from lithium-ion batteries.

'It would be great if my research could contribute to reducing environmental impact and significantly aid global efforts in creating more sustainable industries.’