Durga Tilak

What do you do?

I am currently pursuing a PhD in materials science and engineering at the Advanced Metallic Systems Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Sheffield.

What A-Levels (or equivalent) did you do?

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology

Why did you chose a career in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)?

Materials science seemed to be a delightful melting pot of my favourite bits of chemistry, maths, and physics. I was introduced to crystal structures in the second year of my undergraduate studies, and the level of detail and nuance that it contained captured my imagination. I knew then that I wanted to learn more about the subject.

What did you enjoy most about your MSE course? (If you didn’t do a MSE course which course did you do and what led to you MSE?)

I was introduced to materials science and metallurgy during my second year of B Eng in mechanical engineering. We studied crystal imperfections and properties of solids and later moved to metallurgy, where I was introduced to the equilibrium diagrams for various kinds of alloys. I was fascinated by just how much information one diagram could communicate. The elaborate thought that might have gone into constructing such a diagram was something I very much wanted to discover for myself.

What is the coolest thing you have done in your career so far?

During my undergrad, I managed to develop a basic working prototype of a green alternative to dye penetrants used in non-destructive testing of mechanical components. Along with my mentor, Dr Malini Bapat, we tried synthesizing a fluorescent dye made from eucalyptus leaves. That was my first brush with experimental research, and my curiosity towards research developed thanks to Dr Bapat’s mentorship and the time experimenting alongside her.

What do you see yourself doing in the future?

I am not sure where I will head after my PhD, but I do hope that I find small ways to problem-solve in the materials space.

What is your favourite material (and why)?

Silk would be the first material that comes to my mind when I’m asked this question. I had the opportunity to see silk under a scanning electron microscope when I was in my mid-teens. Seeing the networked, carpet-like silk strands was like looking into another world of patterns, order, chaos, and beauty.

What advice would you give your 16 year old self?

I would probably tell my 16 year old self that even ten years down the line, she is not going to have it all figured out; that she is going to make a bunch of silly (and not-so-silly) mistakes – and that that’s going to be okay. I would probably also tell her to be more appreciative of the work she has put in till that point, and to be excited (rather than anxious) about everything that is coming her way.

Links

LinkedIn: Durga Tilak