Mohammad Shojaati

Mohammad Shojaati travelled to Singapore to further his PhD research on improving metallic components’ behaviour using additive manufacturing. With the support of an International Experience Award, Mohammad was able to access world-class AM facilities, gain technical insights from leading experts, and contribute to a project that aligned with his doctoral work. 

Mohammad worked with A*STAR in Singapore, a global leader in advanced manufacturing and materials science: “I chose A*STAR in Singapore because it is internationally recognized for its cutting-edge research in additive manufacturing and advanced materials. Their expertise, infrastructure, and collaborative environment offered an ideal setting to deepen my PhD research and apply novel AM techniques to real-world mechanical challenges.” 

“During my time at A*STAR, I gained hands-on experience with advanced additive manufacturing processes and post-processing techniques relevant to my PhD research. I collaborated on the design and testing of AM-fabricated metallic components, deepened my understanding of 3D-printing complex geometries, and successfully produced experimental data that contributed to a publication and the core findings of my dissertation.” 

Mohammad reflects on the most memorable parts of his time in Singapore: “My favorite part of the experience was the collaborative and supportive research environment at SIMTech. The atmosphere was both professional and welcoming, with colleagues and supervisors always willing to offer guidance, share knowledge, and help troubleshoot challenges. This strong sense of teamwork greatly enriched both the technical and personal aspects of my research stay.” 

Mohammad offers advice for other graduate students considering an international experience: “I highly recommend pursuing an international research experience—it broadens your technical perspective, exposes you to new methodologies, and helps you build a global professional network. My advice is to be proactive, open-minded, and collaborative. Embrace the challenges, engage with local researchers, and take full advantage of the opportunity to grow both academically and personally.”