This time Scientific Bangladesh has interviewed Tasnim Kamal Mouri. She is pursuing PhD at the University of Delaware, USA. She shared her experiences and insights which might be helpful for future PhD students. Here what she says-
1.Scientific Bangladesh: Please briefly introduce yourself, your PhD topic, and, your University to our readers.
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: I have done my B.Sc. and M.Sc. from the Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Dhaka. Now I am pursuing my PhD at the Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering of the University of Delaware situated at the first state of USA – Delaware. I am working in surface passivation for Si solar cell with the target to develop a material that will increase the solar cell performance while minimizing its various kinds of surface defects.
2.Scientific Bangladesh: What has made you have gone for PhD? In other words, why are you pursuing PhD?
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: To explore the vast world of semiconductor and solar cells. And of course, PhD gives you the opportunity to travel around the world through participating in many international conferences, workshops or seminars.
3.Scientific Bangladesh: How did you choose your i) PhD topic and ii) Institute?
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: As I was working with solar cell before I tried to search particularly for the universities which have good solar cell research opportunities. At UD, I am working at the Institute of Energy Conversion (IEC) which is the world’s oldest solar cell research institute founded in 1972.
4.Scientific Bangladesh: What is the minimum qualification in your university to get admission as PhD student, Bachelor or Master’s degree?
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: Bachelor’s degree is enough.
5.Scientific Bangladesh: If anyone wants to do PhD in your University/country, what are the steps one has to follow?
Tasnim Kamal Mouri : 1. First to make sure what are the areas the student is most interested in 2. Maintain a balanced profile to increase the chance of admission (CGPA/Publication/Skills/Extracurricular activities/job experience – if anyone has any) 2. start planning at least 12-14 months ahead to complete all the steps in time (GRE/TOFEL/Emailing professors/Application procedure/VISA etc.)
6.Scientific Bangladesh: What are mistakes one should avoid when contacting with University or Professor for PhD studentship?
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: 1. Do not mail 2-3 professors of the same department at the same time/day 2. Make sure your emails are short enough yet have all the necessary information the professor needs to know about you 3. Try to send the mail around the time in the morning of your intended professor’s country so that your mail will be most likely at the top of the email thread 4. Do not copy and paste from other emails or works. Follow an example but prepare it in your own way
7.Scientific Bangladesh: How will you get PhD, by submitting a thesis or publishing a certain no of publications(journal articles)?
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: It depends on the quality and depth of works the students have done. If the professor sees that the students have all the primary skills they want but very few publications that should be okay. Also having 1-2 good publications in an average/good journal/conference will of course increase the chance of getting admission.
8.Scientific Bangladesh: Did you deliberately choose your Supervisor? What were your criteria for choosing PhD supervisor?
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: I worked during 2019’s summer with my current supervisor. I found myself really comfortable working with my supervisor as well as I liked the lab environment, how friendly everyone in the lab was, and all the high-tech research facilities this lab provides.
9.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your key to maintaining a good relationship with your supervisor?
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: Maintaining good communication and discuss work progress on a weekly basis.
10.Scientific Bangladesh: What principle do you follow to maintain a good relationship with your labmates?
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: Doing research in a lab is total teamwork. So everyone has their own duties and also help others whenever they need a hand. Everyone tries to maintain a good work and personal life balance which keep us in a healthy mindset to carry out our research.
11.Scientific Bangladesh: Doing PhD is a stressful job? How do you manage or release stress?
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: I take breaks from time to time. Like, traveling to other states, visit my friends there or go somewhere nearby to have a little hike or walk. PhD can be pretty stressful. So it is really necessary that you take care of both your mental and physical healths.
12.Scientific Bangladesh: How many days in a week you go to the lab? Why?
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: In normal circumstances, we go to the lab only on the weekdays. But under Covid-19, our lab’s first priority is everyone’s safety. So we need to go to the lab whenever we have a work schedule, otherwise, you can work from home.
13.Scientific Bangladesh: PhD is considered as training for a career in Research. What 1. technical and 2. Soft skills you are focusing to develop or developed by this time?
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: I am expecting to have a vast practical knowledge on handling large deposition systems for solar cells, also some modeling/simulation skills which might help me in pursuing a career in the R&D industry sector in the future.
14.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your future plan? Want to go back to Bangladesh or not?
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: I have plans to go back to my country, but I guess it will depend on the job opportunities in the next 5-6 years.
15.Scientific Bangladesh: What are your suggestions for prospective PhD students?
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: 1. Have a proper plan 2. Manage your time wisely 3. Be patient because from the application procedure till getting your PhD – it’s a long journey! 4. Try to enjoy this full journey 5. Have faith in yourself
16.Scientific Bangladesh: Would like to share your weekly story with other PhD students? If yes, register at www.scfbd.net
Tasnim Kamal Mouri: Yes
Scientific Bangladesh: Thank you for your intention to write regularly in Scientific Bangladesh. Our readers will be waiting for your weekly writing.