50 not out: Majd viva defence makes it 50 PhD's for Edirisinghe

Biomaterials expert Professor Mohan Edirisinghe hit a proud, personal milestone as his PhD student, Hamta Majd, became the 50th student from the Biomaterials Processing Lab at UCL Engineering to pass their PhD viva.

Majd, whose academic journey culminated in this achievement, is a celebrated member of the UCL Mechanical Engineering community. Awarded Postgraduate Teaching Assistant (PGTA) of the year in June, she had already made a name for herself by winning the prestigious Maryam Mirzakhani Persia Award last year. Her research into core-sheath polymeric fibres adds to the tradition of innovation in the design and manufacture of biomaterials fostered within Professor Edirisinghe’s Biomaterials Processing Lab.

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Hamta shared her thoughts on the experiences that led to this landmark:

“My PhD journey has been one of my life's most special, challenging and rewarding experiences. Focusing on the development of core-sheath polymeric fibres for biomedical applications, my research aimed to address critical healthcare challenges such as efficient drug delivery, wound healing and tissue engineering by utilising the innovative pressurised spinning technique.

"I was inspired by the opportunity to combine engineering principles with biomaterials science to resolve real-world biomedical problems, particularly by designing innovative materials tailored for healthcare applications. My research contributes to healthcare by facilitating the development of multifunctional, biocompatible materials that improve drug delivery efficiency, enhance wound healing outcomes and support tissue regeneration. I hope my work will lead to the creation of more accessible and effective biomedical materials, improving patient outcomes.

This journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, teaching me so much about my abilities and resilience. I’ve never been one to believe in luck; every achievement has been the result of hard work, determination and commitment. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed by the challenges, but the thought of so many other women with similar potential who might never have such opportunities kept me going. Reflecting on this experience, I can proudly say that every sleepless night, sacrifice and challenge was worth it. I am deeply grateful to UCL Mechanical Engineering for making me feel at home throughout this journey and for providing the excellent facilities that enabled me to carry out my research. A special thanks to my supervisors, Professor Mohan Edirisinghe and Dr Maryam Parhizkar, whose guidance and support were invaluable.

I am also grateful to all the incredible academics I had the privilege of working with and learning from. Finally, I would like to thank my family, whose constant love and support have been my foundation, giving me the strength to persevere through every challenge".

A legacy of impact

Over the years, Professor Edirisinghe has supervised a diverse group of PhD students, many of whom have gone on to prestigious careers in academia, industry, and entrepreneurship. Among them are professors, researchers, and innovators working across the globe in research organisations, regulatory bodies, and commercial enterprises. His mentorship has not only propelled individual careers but has also contributed significantly to the advancement of biomaterials processing through his prolific laboratory.

Currently leading a team of 10 PhD students at various stages of their research,  Professor Edirisinghe, who holds the Bonfield Chair of Biomaterials, remains a cornerstone of UCL Mechanical Engineering. His pioneering work, recognised recently with the Royal Society's Clifford Paterson Prize and Lecture, continues to push the boundaries of mechanical engineering research, particularly in advanced manufacturing and materials science.

Reflecting on the milestone, Professor Edirisinghe said:

Today has been a very joyous landmark day for me. Soon-to-be-Dr Majd passed her PhD viva and became the 50th PhD student I have supervised to graduation as Primary Supervisor at UCL Mechanical Engineering. This tally includes 22 females and 28 males, likely to be a UCL record! I am deeply grateful to many in the department and UCL for helping me reach this milestone... and beyond.

Acknowledging the collaborative environment at UCL, Professor Edirisinghe extended his gratitude to the technicians at the UCL Mechanical Engineering workshop for their role in turning his team’s innovations into real devices and processes - many of which have achieved global commercialisation.

Links

• Hamta Majd's research profile
• Professor Mohan Edirisinghe's academic profile
• Hamta Majd's Maryam Mirzakhani Persia Scholarship