Polymer based products can be found in nearly every industry in the world, from automotive applications to life-saving medical devices and implantable bio-absorbables, thus helping address critical needs in many different consumer sectors.
Bhavya Singhi (PhD), our next pathbreaker, Research Engineer at Zeus Company Inc (South Carolina), studies different polymers in order to develop new products for medical applications, such as catheters.
Bhavya talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about her PhD thesis on developing a new processing method for producing fibers incorporated with drugs, using a new biodegradable polymer.
For students, though textiles are primarily referred to as fabrics or garments, technical textiles are specifically used for medical and high performance applications.
Bhavya, what were your initial years like?
I grew up in a nuclear family in suburban Delhi. Both my parents had advanced degrees in the STEM field, and my father worked as an aircraft engineer for a national airline.
I was always in the top 10-20% of my class and did well in most subjects, especially science and mathematics. I enjoyed playing board games, badminton, and swimming.
Although during my childhood I had wanted to become a teacher, by the time I went to college, I had moved away from that idea and decided to pursue engineering.
What did you do for graduation/post graduation?
I did my BTech in Fibers and Textile Processing Technology at Institute of Chemical Technology (formerly UDCT), Mumbai in 2014, after which I completed MS in Textile Chemistry from North Carolina State University, USA in 2016. I then pursued my PhD in Fiber and Polymer Science from North Carolina State University, USA and graduated in 2019.
What were some of the influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional and uncommon career?
I was always interested in pursuing a science-based degree and was especially interested in Chemistry. After my 12th grade, when I started applying for colleges, I learnt about the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) and was keen on going there as it is a specialized university for Chemistry based degree programs. Fortunately, I received a good score in the AIEEE rankings and was able to obtain an admission to ICT in the Textile Department.
At the time, I didn’t know much about the technical aspects of Textiles. Like most people, I also thought that Textiles just referred to fabric and garments. Little did I know about the vast scope of the Textile field and how it would provide me with so many opportunities. By the end of my third year in college, I had gained a much better understanding of the different aspects of the Textile industry. During the summer break, I interned for a few months at a manufacturing facility for Bombay Rayon Fashions Ltd., located near Mumbai. That’s when I realized that I mostly liked the chemistry and materials science related aspects of the work such as fiber spinning, dyeing, printing, etc.
By the time I was in my final year of college. I wanted to specialize in technical textiles, specifically the use of textiles for medical applications.
Tell us about your career path
When researching and applying to universities for a postgraduate degree, North Carolina State University (NCSU) was at the top of my list as it has the Wilson College of Textiles, one the best places in the world for textile degree programs. Luckily, I was admitted to NCSU as well as the BioMedical Textile Research Group (BMT). During my MS program, I was appointed as a Teaching Assistant for a laboratory course, where I taught one of the lab classes for an undergraduate class.
I developed a lot of management and mentorship skills during my time as a Teaching Assistant for four years. After my first year of MS, I also got the opportunity to work as a summer intern at RTI International, located near the NCSU campus and worked on a polymer research project in the advanced materials group. The overall project had applications in enhancing oil extraction from deep underground deposits. For my part of the project, I worked on preparing different polymer formulations and evaluating their mechanical and thermal performance at high temperatures.
The two months spent during my internship amplified my interest in polymer materials, and after completing my MS degree, I enrolled in the PhD program in Fiber and Polymer Science. My doctoral thesis was a continuation of my work done during my masters program. My thesis objective was to develop a new processing method for producing fibers incorporated with drugs using a new biodegradable polymer for medical applications. My initial research plan was based on a much larger goal of large-scale fiber production. However, as this was a relatively new research area, I was asked by my doctoral committee to narrow my research objectives and target my research on a specific aspect. This led me to focus on preparing fibers on a smaller scale which uses antibiotic drugs as a sample for drug incorporation in the fibers.
Through my academic courses and research, I was heavily involved in polymer materials and developed a deep interest in working as a Material Scientist. I focused all my efforts into finishing my PhD program and securing a suitable job in the industry.
During my time at NCSU, I was actively involved in graduate student organizations and professional development initiatives. I also obtained a couple of certifications alongside my graduate degrees.
I also attended several conferences and participated in networking programs and career fairs in order to meet people in my field and develop professional relationships with them.
How did you get your first break?
I was presenting my doctoral research at the Society for Biomaterials (SFB) Conference in 2019 and came across the Zeus booth at the Exhibition. After interacting with a couple of Zeus employees, I applied for a job opening for the Research Engineer position and was hired shortly before the end of my doctoral program.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
Challenge 1: Moving to a new country with significant cultural differences required adjusting to a new environment, academic system, and lifestyle. Although it took a while, I learnt how to be independent and self-sufficient, which has helped me a lot in other aspects of my life.
Challenge 2: During my PhD program, my first thesis proposal was initially rejected as it had a very broad scope. I had to learn to refocus the proposal and narrow down the scope of the research to make the experimental objectives more realistic. Less than two years later, I successfully finished my PhD and moved on to a professional career in the industry.
Challenge 3: A big challenge for me was to complete my PhD program before my funding ended and secure a job while trying to finish writing and preparing for my thesis defense.
Where do you work now? What problems do you solve?
Currently, I work as a Research Engineer at Zeus Company Inc. in South Carolina, USA. My work involves studying different polymers and developing new products for medical applications, such as catheters. Many people may not know that catheters are one of the most commonly used medical devices. They are used in all surgical procedures, and many diagnostic tests as well. There are several different types of catheters but a common thing between them all is that they are all made up of many different layers of polymer materials. The innermost layer of a catheter is usually made with a highly lubricious and inert material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Just as a side note, PTFE is also the same material that is used for the non-stick coating on cooking pans. Since PTFE is “non-stick” and inert, it is the perfect material for medical devices such as catheters. The outer layer of the catheter is made with flexible materials such as polyurethane based polymers, which allow the catheters to bend and slide through the arteries during surgical/diagnostic procedures.
As you can understand, these projects can be complex, and some key qualities required to be successful at this job are critical thinking, the ability to plan experiments and coordinate work with other people who help with the projects. The main reason I enjoy this job is that I get to solve problems and figure out solutions to unique challenges, which makes my work interesting.
How does your work benefit society?
Zeus manufactured products can be found in nearly every industry in the world. From aerospace and automotive applications to life-saving medical devices and implantable bio-absorbables, our polymer products help solve the critical needs in many different consumer sectors.
A lot of my research work translates into the products utilized by companies in the healthcare sector for designing and producing medical devices.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
One of my most memorable moments regarding my graduate work was when I got the opportunity to present my doctoral research at the SFB conference in 2019.
A more memorable moment for me was at the 2023 Annual Zeus Innovation Banquet, where I was presented the Most Creative Innovation Award for a project I had worked on last year and transferred to production.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
Ask questions, even if you think you know the answers.
Be open to new ideas and experiences.
Don’t lose hope and give up. Failure can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Future Plans?
Currently I plan to stay and work as a researcher within Zeus as I enjoy my work immensely.