I love experimental works and creating something entirely new to expand my perspectives. Currently, I am continuing my research in the field of spintronic oxide materials and I hope to escalate it to a higher level. In the future, I aspire to design and develop spintronic devices with the motivation to solve the pressing problem of high-energy consumption in complementary metal-oxide semiconductor or CMOS technology.

The pandemic, which has caused much uncertainty presently, no doubt has hindered the research progress of many fields. There has been many mental and emotional challenges brought about by the restrictions. It took me a while to find a work-life balance at home. Developing the habit of spending hours writing or reading papers from home was not always easy. However, online discussions with colleagues and professors had been very effective. I was glad that in the end, the pandemic year turned into a very productive year for my PhD studies. I published several new articles and doubled my writing and reading efforts compared to the previous years. I developed and even initiated several worldwide collaborative skills, participated in international conferences, and even presented my research work. I communicated more via emails and social media instead of the usual face-to-face chats. This way, I grew more motivated to undertake relevant research in physics as I worked towards my goals. As an aside, another useful skill I pick up as part of my daily routine was cooking!

My advice to our students from the department is to take one day at a time. Set small and realistic goals to sustain your productivity. I would also like to encourage you to take care of your mental well-being during these tough times. Unwind and relax to reduce your stress and anxiety. Interact, engage, motivate and support one another in the midst of the pandemic and beyond.