Nothing ventured, nothing gained: from structural engineering to multi-disciplinary engineering

I graduated from Delhi College of Engineering with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and am currently pursuing a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at UBC under Prof. Jaiman's supervision. I'm working on various research projects based on machine learning-enabled cognitive systems and bio-inspired designs for intelligent and green marine vessels (IGMVs). During my tenure at UBC, I have published journal articles and volunteered in many technical conferences such as APS, USACM, AIAA, etc. I'm also a co-founder of AvaShip, a spin-off company working on digital twin solutions to track and manage underwater noise radiation and its impact on marine mammals. Besides research and venture building, I also enjoy inspiring and motivating students through teaching assistant activities. In my spare time, I like to unwind at the gym or the tennis court. 

Why did you choose to go into your field of study at UBC?

I closely followed Dr. Rajeev Jaiman’s latest development at UBC related to Artificial Intelligence in ship designs and flying vehicles which fascinated me! I wanted to contribute to his ideas that can foster Industrial 4.0 digitization and decided to connect with him. I was fortunate enough to be selected by Dr. Jaiman under the umbrella of Mitacs Globalink and NSERC fellowships to pursue this active area of research further.

What has made your time at UBC memorable?

There were many moments to cherish both in my professional and social life at UBC. However, one of the most memorable experiences I recall was publishing my first journal in Physics of Fluids and getting a lot of recognition for it from my peers. 

Tell us about your experience in your program. What have you learned that is most valuable?

The most crucial takeaway during my program was that no matter how challenging the task is, it is essential to keep going and believe in yourself. 

What advice would you give a student entering your degree program?

Be calm and patient, especially when things become overwhelming in your degree problem. There is nothing that can’t be solved. Break it down and take it one day at a time.

What are your future plans to make a difference in our world?

I want to develop tools to reduce the ship's underwater noise and carbon footprint generated during propeller operation. I want to develop a digital twin technology that will help regenerate the marine ecosystem by protecting the underwater species from propeller noises.   

Is there anything else about your degree experience you'd like to elaborate on?

During my degree program, I met many talented individuals from various backgrounds and parts of the world. They not only inspired me but introduced me to different cultures, traditions, and tasty cuisines.