Post by RMIT-AcSIR Joint Research Program

🎓 PhD Journey: A Student Story - Sri Vidya Cherukuthota (RMIT School of Science) Being selected for the RMIT-AcSIR Joint Research Program marked an important chapter in Sri Vidya Cherukuthota’s PhD journey. Her time at RMIT University in Melbourne provided access to a world-class research environment and helped strengthen her confidence as an independent researcher ✨. Under the joint supervision of Dr Kaliaperumal Selvaraj (CSIR- National Chemical Laboratory) and Associate Professor Nasir Mahmood (RMIT), she refined her research direction and built key scientific skills. Her work on electrochemical nitrogen reduction deepened her understanding of electrocatalyst design and reaction mechanisms, bringing her closer to completing her PhD 📚. The collaborative research environment encouraged her to take on challenging experiments and explore new research opportunities with confidence. Working in the Micro Nano Research Facility and the Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility at RMIT was another key part of her experience. Through hands-on training and independent access to advanced instrumentation, she strengthened her expertise in materials characterisation, skills that will continue to support her future research 🔬. Beyond the lab, Sri actively engaged with the broader research community through the 3MT competition, Research Day, and the Australia–India Energy Transition & Advanced Manufacturing (AIETAM 2025) conference. These experiences improved her research communication skills and helped her build valuable professional connections 🤝. Presenting her research at the E-MRS 2026 Spring Meeting in Strasbourg, France, was a significant milestone. Engaging with leading researchers and receiving feedback broadened her perspective and inspired new research directions, while also providing the opportunity to represent RMIT, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), and NCL internationally 🌍. Outside of academia, Melbourne quickly became a second home. Its safe, welcoming, and multicultural environment made settling into life abroad both comfortable and enjoyable. From exploring the city to celebrating cultural festivals with friends, Sri created memorable experiences throughout her stay. Reflecting on her time at RMIT, Sri describes the experience as far more than a research placement. It was an opportunity to grow professionally, build meaningful connections, and gain international experience. Sri would like to sincerely thank her supervisors, institutional leaders, and administrative teams for their support throughout this journey 🫶. Their guidance and encouragement played an important role in her development and continue to inspire her future academic pursuits. CSIR India #AcSIRJointPhD #CSIRNCL #JointPhD #CotutellePhD #RMIT #AcSIR #JointResearchProgram #PhDJourney #ResearchCollaboration #InternationalResearch #PhDStudents #GlobalPartnerships