Divya Rajah

Material Chemistry|PhD Candidate @AIBNatUQ| Sharing bits of pieces of life and science

[Sandya Athukorala @sandya_92]

We celebrated the end of a fantastic year at the festive end-of-year event @AIBNatUQ! 🎄✨ Grateful for our wonderful team and the amazing leadership of our PI @AmiralianLab, whose support and guidance inspire us every day #Christmas2024 @RajahDivya

[Nasim Amiralian @AmiralianLab]

It’s always a bittersweet moment to bid farewell to amazing team members. Thank you, @DivyaRajah , for your dedication and perseverance throughout your #PhD journey. Amrutha, it was a pleasure working with you on your Master project. Wishing you both great success in your lives!

[Nasim Amiralian @AmiralianLab]

Today we celebrated the achievements of our group members: @asepn33 is officially Dr Asepc, got his PhD degree; @DivyaRajah won the #3MT People's Choice Award; and @san_dya__ received the prestigious @Goethe-Institut Australien #Award. A proud moment for me & @AIBNatUQ! @UQ_News

[Divya Rajah @RajahDivya]

I’m so grateful for this experience that has helped me gained valuable skills. Thank you to everyone for supporting me.

#3MT

[AIBN Research @AIBNatUQ]

People’s choice was @RajahDivya, who is completing her PhD with Nasim Amiralian, for her talk on nature-powered protective masks 😷

[Sandya Athukorala @sandya_92]

Enjoyed a special time today as we bid #farewell to Fazıl, an amazing team member who made a lasting impact with his dedication and #teamwork. Grateful to be part of such an amazing community. Fazıl, here's to staying connected and chasing new horizons. @AmiralianLab @RajahDivya

[Divya Rajah @RajahDivya]

I had an amazing time presenting my PhD work!

[Joshua Holloway 🇬🇧🇪🇺🇧🇪 @JoshHolloway93]

An excellent afternoon of science @QUT. Really interesting invited seminar from Nathaniel Corrigan, followed by some great talks from PhD students from @QUT and @UQ_News, including @fred_opj. Thanks to @QUTmaterials and @RACIQld for supporting and organising!

[Dr Marissa Edwards @DrMarissaKate]

I’m so sick of academics who make PhD students and postdocs feel bad about themselves. I see it happen frequently and it’s awful.

If you’re one of those people, please stop and consider how you can support them instead. Our early career scholars deserve better.

@OpenAcademics

[9News Queensland @9NewsQueensland]

A sea of pink flooded the streets of Brisbane this morning for the annual International Women's Day Fun Run! 🏃‍♀️🏙️

This year, a record-breaking 23,000 participants helped to raise more than $1.75 million in vital funds to support women with breast cancer. #9News

[Divya Rajah @RajahDivya]

If you told me I'd find joy in running, I would have laughed but here I am. Cheers to embracing new beginnings🏃🏻‍♀️🎽🥂

Thank you everyone for supporting me and my fundraising 🤩

#womensdayfunrun #thewaveofchange #materqld #internationalwomensday2024 #iwdfr #breastcancerawareness

[Divya Rajah @RajahDivya]

🎗️ Stepping out of my comfort zone and into running shoes to join the fight against breast cancer! 🏃‍♂️
🌟 Your support means the world to me!
🎗️ Visit my fundraising page https://t.co/NUXZJWqRrR
Thank you for being a part of this meaningful journey.

[Divya Rajah @RajahDivya]

@san_dya__ @JMaterChem @Uni_Newcastle @AmiralianLab @AIBNatUQ Congratulations Sandya 🎉

[Divya Rajah @RajahDivya]

@GeurdsL You are nearly there, Lauren 💪🏽. Just a text message away. Take care 😃

[Divya Rajah @RajahDivya]

This is an excellent post. Well said

[Andrew Akbashev @Andrew_Akbashev]

Your PhD is about the evolution of your mindset.

It proceeds through personal research experience, mentorship and development of key skills.

This is why PhD in STEM:

- is NOT about a thesis (very few people will read it)
- is NOT about finish your advisor’s project
- is NOT about attending new courses
- is NOT to learn how to use cool instruments (although it might be handy, it is of little help in a long run)

Yes, some of it will help you get hired. BUT PhD should not be about this.

▫️

PhD is about personal development, creativity and problem solving in a highly dynamic research environment.

First of all, it is about:

- Becoming a highly critical and creative thinker
- Learning how to think independently (against the local or global mainstream)
- Learning how to “jump-start” a project and bring it to perfection
- Discovering your strengths and weaknesses as a future leader
- Learning from massive number of mistakes without big consequences
- Learning how to accept failures and move on
- Understanding the value of teamwork and collaboration
- Publishing important studies and making discoveries (especially if you plan to stay in academia)

▫️

Of course, there are some “perks” that come with it:

1. Getting a good expertise in some field
2. Getting some idea about the world of academia and how things work there
3. Learning how to use fancy tools (microscopes, spectrometers, etc)
4. Learning how to write papers, etc etc

But these are only bonuses. They should not be why you are pursuing PhD.

▫️

As a prospective PhD student, do NOT look for a supervisor who will be simply assigning tasks to you and tracking your project.

Look for a good mentor and advisor who can help you develop YOUR leadership skills.

A proper research environment and inspiration to pursue your dreams are the key ingredients.

#AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter #phdchat

[Happy Researchers @hapyresearchers]

In academia, it is crucial to learn not to devalue others work while manuscript writing, reviewing, and attending presentations.

The objective should be to bridge knowledge gaps but not to show-off!

[Divya Rajah @RajahDivya]

Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible moms out there, and to everyone who courageously embraces the role of a mother. Your unwavering strength and determination are shaping the future in remarkable ways.
#happymothersday2023 #MothersDay #mother #unconditionallove

[Shaheryar Shafi @ShaheryarShafi_]

What do people really think about the life of a PhD student🤔?

#PhDMyths #AcademicLife #HigherEducation #phd #phdlife #phdstudent #phdjourney #phdchat #phdtips #AcademicTwitter #epitwitter #MedTwitter

[Divya Rajah @RajahDivya]

Great way of communicating. I shall implement this 😃

[Divya Rajah @RajahDivya]

Check out my colleague’s work 😃

Great work, Lauren!

[Lauren Geurds @GeurdsL]

How to modify your CNC surface without losing it...

You can find out by reading our paper, which has just got published in @PolymChem.
Find it here: https://t.co/gFPkVdhKAz

@AIBNatUQ @AmiralianLab
#Nanocellulose #CNC #Polymerbrushes

[Divya Rajah @RajahDivya]

Couldn’t agree more 💯

[Jen Heemstra @jenheemstra]

I don’t know where the idea came from that being mean to people in your research group will lead to higher productivity, but it needs to end.

Not only is this unethical, but it is also ineffective. The best research happens when people are supported and treated with kindness.