New PhD students joining the Institute in 2025 - Annual Report 2025

Sarah

I completed my Master of Science (Honours) in Chemistry at the University of Canterbury. For my PhD I'm using advanced analytical techniques to characterise new catalytic nanomaterials to remove organic pollutants from water systems, with the additional benefit of producing green hydrogen.

Megha

I completed my Bachelor's degree at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India, and a Master of Science programme in Chemistry at Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology in Punjab, India. I wanted to undertake a PhD to deepen my expertise in chemistry and contribute to the development of sustainable technologies through my research.

Benyamin

I have a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Isfahan University of Technology and a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tehran. I'm doing my PhD to contribute to scientific solutions that support a cleaner, more sustainable future for our planet and to grow within a world-class scientific community.

Deepanshi

I completed my undergraduate studies at Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University and earned my M.Tech degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. I am motivated to pursue a PhD here to explore materials at a deeper level and contribute to innovative device concepts that can drive future deep-tech applications.

From left: PhD students Sarah, Megha, Benyamin and Deepanshi

Alan

I did a BA with Honours and a Master of Arts in Māori Studies at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. With the dedicated Māori leadership, support, and expertise, doing a MacDiarmid-funded PhD focusing on creating equitable opportunities for Māori in materials sciences is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm very grateful to represent a social sciences kaupapa within a traditionally material sciences sector.

Paridhi

I did my undergraduate degree in Microbiology from Osmania University, India, and my Master's from the University of Leeds, UK, in Food Biotechnology. I am passionate about developing new skills in designing systems that can help drive a smarter and sustainable future.

Nasim

I hold a Master’s degree in Biophysics from the University of Tehran, and a Bachelor’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Guilan. I’m motivated to explore how biological assemblies can inspire the next generation of sustainable materials.

James

I completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Physics at Victoria University of Wellington. The MacDiarmid Institute aligns with my goals of conducting novel and practically useful research for the betterment of humankind.

From left: PhD students Alan, Paridhi, Nasim and James

Tane

I studied my Master's in Physics at Victoria University of Wellington. I’m motivated to pursue a PhD with the MacDiarmid Institute to advance fundamental understanding of MnTe altermagnetism, and contribute to next-generation spintronic technologies.

Rong Ma

I completed my undergraduate studies at Taiyuan University of Technology, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering. The research culture, environment, and doctoral training method here resonate strongly with me and the project closely matches my research interests.

Ashton

I completed my Bachelor of Science with Honours in Chemistry at the University of Canterbury. I am motivated to pursue a PhD because I want to challenge myself through the pursuit of research that could potentially benefit the environment.

Adam

I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Auckland, earning a Bachelor of Science with majors in Physics and Mathematics. I am driven to undertake my PhD by the opportunity to contribute to the emerging field of artificial intelligence while expanding my skills in research and development.

From left: PhD students Tane, Rong Ma, Ashton and Adam

Joel

I did a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences at the University of Canterbury. I love being on the frontier of technology and innovation and doing a PhD with the MacDiarmid Institute allows me to do this.

Yidan

I hold a Bachelor of Science from Shaanxi University of Technology and a Master of Science from Yan’an University. My PhD explores peptide-based piezoelectric materials, and my research group’s interdisciplinary strengths offer the perfect platform for my research.

Yiwei

I come from a theoretical chemistry background. I completed my Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) and Master of Science (Chemistry) (with distinction) at the University of Melbourne. I want to pursue a PhD with the MacDiarmid Institute to turn fundamental materials science into practical solutions, especially new materials that can capture and convert CO₂.

Kayla

I studied a BSc(Hons) in Chemistry at Otago University. I’m thrilled to be doing my PhD within the MacDiarmid Institute, becoming part of an incredibly enthusiastic network of researchers around NZ.

From left: PhD students Joel, Yidan and Yiwei

Arta

I have a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and a Master of Chemical Engineering - separation processes degree from Azad University in Tehran. My motivation comes from wanting to explore sustainability much more intricately, and the MacDiarmid Institute opens the door for me to be creative in my PhD journey.

Caihong

I have a Master’s degree in Textile Science and Engineering from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University. I’m pursuing this PhD to create environmentally friendly, high-performance materials that support sustainable solutions for industry and for the environment.

Kilian

I did my undergrad at the University of Canterbury, completing a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. A PhD at the MacDiarmid Institute provides an opportunity to develop further my research expertise in advanced materials.

Sana

I have a Master’s of Science in Physics from COMSATS University, Lahore. I am pursuing a PhD to apply low-frequency Raman spectroscopy to understand and support the evaluation and design of new functional materials.

From left: PhD students Arta, Caihong, Kilian and Sana

Supriya

I completed my Master’s in Organic Chemistry at Mangalore University and have industry experience as an R&D chemist. I'm deeply motivated to work with the MacDiarmid Institute and excited to start my PhD on developing heterogeneous electrocatalysts.

Lionel

I did my undergrad studies in France, in CYTech, a study semester in Japan and a 10-month internship in Canada to finish my Master's degree, studying organic chemistry and biochemistry during these years. I discovered the MacDiarmid Institute thanks to my supervisor Associate Professor Jack Chen. He told me about all the opportunities I could get from joining him in a PhD and I accepted as soon as I could! 

Séraphine

I did my undergraduate study at the University of Canterbury doing a Bachelor of Science majoring in Chemistry, minoring in Physics. Undertaking a PhD with the MacDiarmid Institute allows me to contribute to materials science research while learning from a network of materials researchers across New Zealand.

From left: PhD students Supriya, Lionel and Séraphine

Read next

2025 Awards

Tags: annual report 2025