From Sribhumi to Marie Curie Fellow: Dr Nabodyuti Das on His Trailblazing Global Researcher Journey

Dr Nabodyuti Das, a pioneering researcher in Smart Concrete and Defence Applications, has recently secured the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship 2024 with an outstanding 99.2% score. His journey from Sribhumi (then Karimganj) to global recognition is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and academic excellence.

A Prime Minister’s Research Fellow (PMRF) at IIT Bombay, Dr Das has previously been honoured with the National Security Guard (NSG) Counter-IED Innovator Award 2022 for his groundbreaking work in Blast, Ballistic, and Electromagnetic-Pulse Resistant Concrete (BBERC). Currently a Research Fellow at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, he continues to make remarkable contributions to construction materials research.

In an exclusive interview with Barak Bulletin, Nabodyuti shares insights into his journey, challenges, and aspirations. Edited excerpts below:

Barak Bulletin (BB): Could you share a bit about your school life and how it shaped your academic journey?

Nabodyuti Das (ND): I completed my schooling at Rowland’s Memorial High School (RMHS), Karimganj (now Sribhumi), followed by Class 11-12 at Karimganj Junior College of Science (presently Tarabhusan Pal Junior College). These formative years laid the foundation for my academic and personal growth, shaping my curiosity, discipline, and approach to learning.

BB: After Class 12, you cleared both engineering and the medical entrance exam, yet your passion always leaned towards engineering. When you began your MBBS programme at SMCH, did you feel at home in the medical field, or was there a sense of misalignment?

ND: After Class 12, I cleared both the All-India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE), now known as JEE-Main, and the Assam Medical Entrance Exam (CEE). In 2010, I initially joined Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) for the MBBS program. However, my true passion had always been for engineering, and I found myself missing mathematics in the medical curriculum. I soon realized that my interests didn’t align with the medical field, and as they say, “You don’t want to be the frog who couldn’t jump out of the boiling water in time” So, just two weeks later, I made the decision to leave MBBS and enrolled in Computer Science Engineering at NIT Silchar. After a year, I changed to Civil Engineering, a field that resonated more with my passions.

Looking back, I have no regrets. My mom had a big hope that I would become a Doctor, but life took its own course, and I ended up becoming a Doctor of Philosophy instead!

BB: What led you to choose Concrete Technology as your area of specialisation over other disciplines?

ND: During my B.Tech. at NIT Silchar, I developed a strong interest in Concrete Technology, thanks to the guidance of my exceptional teacher and mentor, Prof. Aminul Islam Laskar. My B.Tech. project focused on Alkali-Activated (Zero Cement) Concrete, which further deepened my curiosity in this field. After graduation, I worked as a QA/QC Engineer at L&T ECC, where my interest in construction materials and concrete technology grew significantly, largely due to the mentorship of Taraknath Pal.

In 2018, I was selected for the prestigious Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) in its inaugural batch, becoming one of only 20 students across India selected in the Civil Engineering category.

Following the advice of Prof. Aminul Islam Laskar, I joined IIT Bombay to pursue research in Concrete Technology and Construction Materials. My journey in research and academic success has been profoundly shaped by my Ph.D. supervisor, mentor, and parental figure guide, Prof. Prakash Nanthagopalan of IIT Bombay, to whom I owe immense gratitude

BB: The Counter-IED Innovator Award from the NSG is a remarkable achievement. Could you tell us the story behind it—how did this recognition come about? Being honoured by an elite organisation like the NSG for a contribution to national security is no small feat. How did it feel to receive such recognition?

ND: In 2022, I was honoured with the NSG Counter-IED Innovation Award for developing Blast, Ballistic & Electromagnetic-Pulse Resistant Concrete (BBERC). It was one of the happiest and proudest moments of my life. Receiving this prestigious national award alongside my mentor, Prof. Prakash Nanthagopalan in an environment filled with defense personnel, ministers, and dignitaries at NSG Manesar Garrison, truly a lifetime memory. It felt incredibly fulfilling to contribute to the nation’s defense through innovation.

The rise in terrorist attacks poses serious risks to both military and civilian safety, with blast, ballistic, and EMP attacks threatening infrastructure and communication systems. To address this, we developed Multi-Faceted Engineered Concrete (MFEC), a robust material designed to withstand these threats. Offering all-around protection, MFEC strengthens both civilian and military infrastructure, enhancing national security and resilience.

BB: Tell us about the Naik and Rastogi Award for Excellence in Ph.D. Research at IIT Bombay.

ND: I am honoured to receive the prestigious Naik and Rastogi Award for Excellence in Ph.D. Research at IIT Bombay for 2022-2024 (Best Ph.D. Thesis Award). A huge thank you to IIT Bombay for this incredible recognition. I am deeply grateful to my Ph.D. supervisor, Prof. Prakash Nanthagopalan, for his unwavering guidance and mentorship and to the entire Civil Engineering Department. A special thanks to Prof. Deepankar Choudhury, former HOD CE IIT Bombay, for his support. I was deeply honoured on receiving this prestigious award.

BB: Your journey has now led you to the prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship. What has the road to this achievement been like?

ND: After my research at IIT Bombay, I sought international exposure and the opportunity to learn through a postdoctoral fellowship. I then began preparing my MSCA proposal, and I would like to thank the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) professors in Europe for their support throughout this journey. The journey to the Marie Curie Fellowship was challenging yet rewarding. The first step was finding a professor to collaborate with and carefully crafting a strong research proposal, paying close attention to every detail in the guidelines. I initially applied for the 2023 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship and scored 93 %, just shy of the 94 % cutoff, which was very disappointing. However, my Ph.D. supervisor and friends stood by me, offering unwavering support. Through perseverance, I reapplied and achieved a remarkable 99.2 %, one of the highest global scores in my area. This experience reinforced the truth that failure is a stepping stone to success, making this achievement even more meaningful.

BB: The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship is highly coveted in the academic world. What does this recognition mean to you on both a professional and personal level?

ND: The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship is a prestigious recognition, and being a Marie Curie Fellow is an incredible honour. This fellowship adds immense value to my academic journey and reinforces my commitment to advancing research in construction materials for societal benefit. I aspire to become a Professor in a reputed institute like IIT/IISc, where I can blend my passion for teaching with cutting-edge research in smart concrete and advanced materials. My goal is to inspire future engineers while driving impactful innovations that shape the future of civil engineering.

This recognition has made my parents, Nripendra Kumar Das and Krishna Das, incredibly proud, which makes me very happy. I am also deeply thankful to God for providing me with such wonderful opportunities.

BB: How is life at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore?

ND: After completing my PhD, I had the incredible opportunity to work at NTU Singapore under Prof. Yang En-Hua. Currently, I am working on Smart Concrete, developing concrete for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging through Wireless Power Transfer. Additionally, my research involves energy harvesting, sustainability, and waste valorisation in concrete.

Life at NTU is incredibly enriching. The vibrant academic environment and exposure to cutting-edge technology push me to constantly challenge myself and expand my knowledge.

BB: Any final words?

ND: Life often takes unexpected turns, and it’s important to stay agile. You never know when things will fall into place, but trust me, they will. Embrace change, as it is the only constant in this ever-evolving world.