Growing within a 'world-class scientific community' - our new PhD students tell us why they chose to be part of our research

Sarah

Studying for a PhD at the University of Canterbury with Associate Investigator Associate Professor Vladimir Golovko and Principal Investigator Professor Pauline Harris.

'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

Studying for a PhD at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington with Associate Investigator Associate Professor Cameron Weber.

'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

Studying for a PhD at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington with Principal Investigator Dr Luke Liu.

'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

Studying for a PhD at the University of Canterbury with Principal Investigator Dr Daniel Sando.

'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

Studying for a PhD at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington with Principal Investigator Professor Ocean Mercier.

'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

Studying for a PhD at Massey University with Principal Investigator Associate Professor Catherine Whitby.

'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

Studying for a PhD at the University of Auckland with Principal Investigator Professor Jenny Malmström.

'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

Studying for a PhD at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington with Principal Investigator Professor Ben Ruck.

'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

Studying for a PhD at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington with Principal Investigator Dr Shen Chong and Associate Investigator Dr James Storey.

'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

Studying for a PhD at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington with Associate Investigator Dr Baptiste Auguié.

'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

Studying for a PhD at the University of Canterbury with Principal Investigator Professor Paul Kruger and Associate Investigator Associate Professor Chris Fitchett.

'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

Studying for a PhD at the University of Auckland with Principal Investigator Dr Jami Shepherd.

'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

Studying for a PhD at the University of Canterbury with Principal Investigator Professor Volker Nock.

'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

Studying for a PhD at the University of Auckland with Principal Investigator Professor Viji Sarojini.

'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

Studying for a PhD at the University of Canterbury with Principal Investigator Professor Aaron Marshall.

'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

Studying for a PhD at the University of Otago with Principal Investigator Associate Professor Anna Garden.

'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

Studying for a PhD at the University of Auckland with Principal Investigator Associate Professor Erin Leitao.

'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

Studying for a PhD at the University of Canterbury with Associate Investigator Dr Ben Yin.

'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

Studying for a PhD at the University of Canterbury with Associate Investigator Dr Ciaran Moore.

'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

Studying for a PhD at the University of Otago with Principal Investigator Professor Keith Gordan and Associate Investigator Professor James Crowley.

'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

Studying for a PhD at the University of Otago with Principal Investigator Professor Sally Brooker.

'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

Studying for a PhD at AUT with Principal Investigator Associate Professor Jack Chen.

'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 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

Studying for a PhD at the University of Canterbury with Associate Investigator Professor Thomas Bennett and Principal Investigator Professor Paul Kruger.

'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

Tags: Towards Zero Waste - Reconfigurable Systems, Towards Zero Carbon - Catalytic Architectures, Towards Low Energy Tech - Hardware for Future Computing, Pūtaiao Māori Research Programme, annual report 2025, natalie plank, our students