Post by RMIT-AcSIR Joint Research Program

🎓 PhD Journey: A Student Story – Mandeep Gulati (RMIT School of Science) RMIT offer letter arrived just one day before his birthday and felt like the most meaningful gift he could receive. For Mandeep, this marked the beginning of a PhD journey beyond a traditional research program. Joining the RMIT-AcSIR Joint Research Program, he pursued research across two countries within a globally connected environment. Upon arrival in Melbourne, he quickly realised the experience was about much more than research alone. From his first days at RMIT University, he was welcomed by a supportive community of academics, researchers, and fellow students. Regular interactions with Distinguished Prof Suresh Bhargava and support from Tae Kim helped him settle into university life and take full advantage of the program. One of the aspects that impressed Mandeep most was Australia's research culture. He found an environment that encouraged curiosity, independent thinking, and collaboration. Rather than focusing only on outcomes, researchers were encouraged to ask questions, exchange ideas, and learn from different perspectives 🤝. Under the joint supervision of Prof Benu Adhikari and Prof Fugen Daver at RMIT, and Dr Jeevan Prasad Reddy D at CSIR−Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mandeep explored research at the intersection of food science and polymer science, developing innovative approaches to food packaging and materials research. Working across both the RMIT City and Bundoora campuses exposed him to diverse facilities, multidisciplinary teams, and valuable collaborations, further broadening his research perspective. His academic journey also extended beyond the lab. Supported by the RMIT STEM College HDR Funds, Mandeep attended the Defence Human Sciences Symposium 2025 in Perth, Australia, gaining insights into emerging research challenges and connecting with researchers across Australia. He also developed his communication skills through the 3MT competition, Research Day poster presentation, and a university Haiku competition, showing that research can be communicated in many ways ✨. Beyond academia, Melbourne became an important part of his experience. Celebrating Diwali and Indian Independence Day, exploring beaches and natural landscapes, and building friendships within a multicultural community helped him feel a sense of belonging far from home. Reflecting on his journey, Mandeep believes the program shaped him as both a researcher and an individual, strengthening his expertise, expanding his global outlook, and reinforcing his belief that science thrives through collaboration. As he continues his PhD journey, he remains grateful to his supervisors, mentors, colleagues, and the wider RMIT-AcSIR community for their support. What began as an unforgettable birthday surprise has become a transformative experience that continues to inspire his future as a researcher. Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR India