Post by RMIT-AcSIR Joint Research Program

🎓 Alumni Spotlight: Dr Sanjib Sarkar, PhD (School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Class of 2023)  Some research journeys begin with curiosity but evolve into careers shaped by international collaboration and research mobility 🌏. For Dr Sanjib Sarkar, the RMIT-AcSIR Joint Research Program became a defining step toward a career in translational nanomedicine. Dr Sarkar is currently an American Heart Association (AHA) Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Associate in the Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston United States, where he works on RNA based nanotherapeutics for cardiovascular disease, with a focus on aortic aneurysm and dissection. His research aims to advance innovative approaches that bring nanotechnology closer to clinical application. Since completing his PhD through the RMIT-AcSIR Joint Research Program in 2023, Dr Sarkar has built a strong research profile, publishing 11 peer reviewed journal articles and a book chapter, with his work receiving more than 600 citations 📚. Dr Sarkar has also secured competitive postdoctoral funding, including an AHA Postdoctoral Fellowship, supporting his continued research at a leading global medical institution. Dr Sarkar's PhD journey was jointly supervised by Dr Thilini Thrimawithana from RMIT University and Dr Sawlang Borsingh Wann and Dr Prasenjit Manna from CSIR–North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR–NEIST). Through this collaborative guidance, he undertook interdisciplinary research across India and Australia, focusing on nanocarrier mediated glucose responsive delivery systems 🤝. During his PhD, he developed expertise in nanoparticle design, lipid nanoparticle formulation, nucleic acid delivery, advanced characterisation techniques, and both in vitro and in vivo evaluation methods. This hands-on training across multiple research environments helped him build a strong technical foundation and a broader scientific outlook. Beyond technical skills, the international nature of the program played a key role in shaping his development as a researcher. Working across institutions in India and Australia, he gained experience in diverse research environments, strengthened international collaboration skills, and developed the confidence to pursue a global research career. For Dr Sarkar, the RMIT-AcSIR Joint Research Program was more than a PhD degree. It was a platform that connected research, collaboration, and opportunity, shaping his path toward becoming an independent researcher contributing to translational medicine on a global stage ✨. Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR India, Suresh Bhargava, Vasileios Stavropoulos #AcSIRJointPhDProgram #JointPhD #CotutellePhD #AcSIR #CSIRNEIST #RMITAcSIRJointResearchProgram #RMIT #PhDStudentStory