ARMI researcher joins interdisciplinary team reimagining the future of fair mobility at PITCH 2025.

Featuring insights from ARMI PhD candidate, Thamodi Wapola

In October 2025, Monash University’s PITCH – PhD Interdisciplinary Team Challenge brought together 130 PhD students at the Monash Indonesia campus for an immersive five-day program focused on solving real societal challenges across the Indo-Pacific. Students were selected through a competitive application process, with ARMI represented this year by Thamodi Wapola, a third-year PhD candidate in the Kaslin Group, a zebrafish neurobiology lab at ARMI.

Her research explores brain tumours using zebrafish models, investigating how regeneration-associated mechanisms that drive cell proliferation might also contribute to malignant growth, and whether these pathways could be harnessed or targeted in future therapies.

“My ARMI training has equipped me with strong collaborative and problem-solving skills, and the ability to think in systems and work towards defined goals within structured timeframes,” said Thamodi. “Working in an interdisciplinary lab has also strengthened my communication skills and encouraged me to approach challenges with both analytical depth and adaptability.”

PITCH is designed to connect knowledge with purpose. By grouping participants into interdisciplinary teams spanning faculties, campuses and partner Indonesian universities, the program encourages new ways of thinking, rapid problem-solving and the ability to work across cultural and disciplinary boundaries.

“I learnt about this opportunity through an email from the Vice-Chancellor, and I was grateful to be selected from such a diverse and talented cohort,” said Thamodi.

“Being placed in a team of ten students from different faculties and campuses really pushed us to think critically and apply our expertise in new ways.”

Thamodi’s team was assigned one of Jakarta’s most visible and complex issues: the rapid expansion of ride-hailing services and the pressures this places on passengers, drivers and the city.

Rush-hour Jakarta illustrates the problem vividly: unpredictable fares, shrinking driver income, opaque algorithms, informal roadside waiting areas, growing congestion and rising emissions. Policymakers, meanwhile, struggle to access the mobility data needed to plan fairly and effectively.

Against this backdrop, the team explored how Greater Jakarta’s ride-hailing ecosystem could become more reliable, equitable and environmentally responsible, while still protecting privacy and encouraging innovation.

Their response was Jalan Bersama (which means “moving together” in Bahasa), a proposal for an open, digital, infrastructure-backed ride-hailing ecosystem. The concept builds on open-network protocols already being developed as part of Indonesia’s national digital economy strategy, allowing driver cooperatives to build and operate their own ride-hailing applications with flexible, community-governed revenue models.

The model outlines a mobility system where pricing is transparent and collectively governed; revenue structures can be adapted to drivers’ needs and work patterns; surge pricing is replaced by more predictable, negotiation-based fares; and mobility data is treated as a public good (with strong privacy safeguards) to support smarter, fairer city planning. A phased regulatory framework addresses data transparency, labour protections, pricing fairness, environmental impact and accountability.

“While my background isn’t in business or policy, I focused on how data transparency affects everyone in the ride-hailing ecosystem,” said Thamodi.

“Having used ride-hailing apps in Indonesia, I could bring a user’s perspective to our discussions and help the team think about how fairness, privacy and accountability could be built into the system.”

“The week was filled with collaboration, mentorship and innovation,” she recalled.  

“We worked intensively with academic and industry experts before pitching our solution to leaders across government, philanthropy and the private sector. Our team was honoured to receive the Judges’ Special Commendation Award.”

One of the most impactful aspects of the experience for Thamodi was the opportunity to work side-by-side with researchers from entirely different disciplines.

“What surprised me most was the chance to engage with researchers from completely different fields and learn about the fascinating work happening outside my own area,” she said.

“It was a rare and rewarding opportunity to see how complex challenges can be approached through integrated thinking.”

The program’s opening ceremony, held at the Australian–Indonesian Embassy, left a strong impression.

“It was a memorable and inspiring start to the week,” noted Thamodi. “Exploring Jakarta and trying its incredible cuisine added another layer to the experience and helped us understand the cultural context of the challenge.”

For many participants, PITCH is their first experience working internationally at this scale – and an important step in developing global awareness and interdisciplinary confidence.

“These programs push you outside your comfort zone, help you think beyond your discipline and allow you to build meaningful global connections,”
said Thamodi.  

“I’d strongly encourage future ARMI students to take part in opportunities like PITCH. They help you grow into a more adaptable, globally minded researcher who can translate scientific knowledge into meaningful societal impact.”

Thamodi’s reflections emphasise the value of programs like PITCH for ARMI’s student community. Experiences that stretch thinking, challenge assumptions and expose students to real-world systems can help strengthen research skills and broaden perspectives.

“This experience has reinforced the importance of connecting scientific research with broader societal systems and real-world challenges,” she said.

 “I’m bringing back a stronger appreciation for interdisciplinary collaboration, clearer communication strategies, and a renewed commitment to framing my research within wider social and translational contexts.”

“From problem-solving sessions to team discussions and group photos, I’m deeply grateful for this enriching experience and the people who made it unforgettable – especially my incredible team members.”

ARMI is grateful for the contribution of students like Thamodi, whose participation in programs such as PITCH enhances the institute’s culture of curiosity, collaboration and global engagement. By bringing broadened perspectives and newly strengthened skills back into the institute, they help advance ARMI’s mission to cultivate researchers who can think across disciplines and translate discovery into meaningful outcomes.

Watch Thamodi’s team pitch and read Monash’s full article here.