RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS
This page showcases a variety of fun projects I've created, ranging from food products and toy making to T-shirt printing, tech tinkering, and video production. Most of these projects were undertaken during the COVID lockdown, when I had ample free time to experiment and learn. These projects have allowed me to explore and learn new skills, fueling my passion for creativity and innovation. I hope to maintain this enthusiasm for learning throughout my life.
THE SCIENCE & STRATEGY OF SCENT
As lead author, I designed, executed, and published an original research paper investigating the science and commercial impact of scent in retail environments. My research traced the evolution of olfactory marketing from ancient rituals to a strategic, data-driven tool used by global brands. I conducted comprehensive chemical analyses of fragrance molecules, case studies (including Hilton DoubleTree, Pandora, and Singapore Airlines), and original fieldwork. My methodology integrated controlled experiments (testing how scents influenced consumer dwell time and impulse buying in actual stores), expert interviews (with retail and fragrance industry leaders), and a 160-person multi-country survey I designed and analyzed independently.
The project involved:
Reviewing 40+ scientific sources to map the chemistry of fragrance molecules and scent families.
Experimenting with different scent diffusion technologies (smart diffusers, presence/motion sensors) in two Jakarta retail stores to assess real-world behavioral impact over the course of 2 months.
Statistical analysis of survey data to identify links between scent sensitivity and consumer decision-making.
Interviewing leaders (e.g., Founder and COO of Passion Jewelry) to understand the branding psychology behind signature scents.
Findings revealed that while pleasant ambient scents improved mood and extended store visits, carefully chosen “signature scents” (e.g., used by Hilton or Singapore Airlines) create emotional brand recall and foster loyalty. I synthesized the chemistry, psychological effects, and technological delivery methods into an actionable framework for brands seeking memorable customer experiences.
This paper was accepted and published in Curieux Journal after peer review. It has since been cited by business students, used as a reference for olfactory marketing coursework, and shared with retail brands seeking practical scent strategies. The project sharpened my interdisciplinary research, data analysis, and science communication skills—fueling my passion for applying chemistry to real-world business challenges.
CREST REPORT
Water hyacinth is a rapidly proliferating invasive plant species that utilises the nutrients of other plants, causing the death of many local plant species. Packaging fillers like bubble wrap use plastic in their production, contributing to mass plastic buildup in oceans and rivers.This project aims to find a common solution for both issues common in Indonesia. Currently, rapidly growing water hyacinths are managed through a combination of physical removal, chemical control, and biological control methods. These conventional methods utilise time and garbage space, damaging the ecosystems even further. More recently, many companies have proceeded towards paper-based packaging fillers. These companies use shreds or pulp of new or recycled paper. The water hyacinth plant can provide an excellent raw material to prepare these paper-based packaging fillers. This project attempts to prepare papers from water hyacinth using raw or boiled plants, and also test which type of paper fillers is better suited for filling the packages. The project will focus on using raw, dried, and boiled water hyacinth plants to prepare papers and test them for certain physical and chemical properties useful for packaging fillers. Furthermore, 3 different types of paper fillers will be tested to analyse which design functions the best to protect the packages. Thus, our project bridges the gap in the paper filler industry by providing an eco-friendly alternative of water hyacinth as a raw material while solving the ecological problems caused by over- and rapid-growth of an invasive plant like water hyacinth. ​