The department awarded First Year PhD student Pranay Shrestha third place for his oral presentation at this year’s Graduate Research Symposium held on June 27. We visited his lab in MB to learn more about his experience, as well as his thoughts on being a grad student at MIE.
Tell us a bit about your research.
I study water transport through the pores of paper-thin materials to improve fuel cell efficiency. My supervisor is Prof. Aimy Bazylak.
What inspired you to study this topic?
I am inspired by the prospect of a truly sustainable future. We still need considerable effort to realize this future. I hope to add my share to this combined effort. Since childhood, I have been fascinated with waterfalls. Water has a captivating charm in its motion. It is ironic how I am now studying the movement of water in tiny spaces.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during the symposium?
One of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of the symposium was connecting with the audience. It requires careful thought and preparation to express ideas in a way that resonates with the audience. Personally, I am still trying to refine this skill.
What was the biggest surprise about being a grad student?
My biggest surprise about being a grad student was how close you get to cutting edge science, the type of science that we see in futuristic movies. This world seemed pretty distant before, but as a grad student you realize you are in this world, surrounded by brilliant researchers and scientists working to push the boundaries of science and technology.
What’s the best aspect of the MIE department in your view?
The best aspect of this department is that it feels like a community.
If you could give one piece of advice to current or future grad students, what would it be?
Welcome and learn from criticism. Critical thinking forms the bedrock of scientific rigour. Use it to sharpen your ideas from all angles.
