Sharafat Ali | Current Graduate Students

Sharafat Ali, PhD student in Civil and Environmental Engineering, has a dream to connect all aspects of his studies to one day create his own cleantech startup. With the help of an International Experience Award, Sharafat was able to advance his research on the potential of atomically thin graphene membranes for the separation of organic solvents at the molecular level at Boston’s Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States of America.

“I chose MIT because of its global reputation for cutting-edge research and innovation, especially in the field of science and technology. The group I am working with (Karnik Lab) has strong expertise in graphene-based membranes for water purification, organic solvent nanofiltration, and Ion-Ion separation, which aligns with my research interests. Being at MIT also gives me the chance to collaborate with world-class researchers, access state-of-the-art facilities, and learn techniques that I can bring back and apply in my home institution.”

When in Boston, Sharafat was able to dive deep into his research with all the required materials at hand.

"During my time at MIT, I gained hands-on experience working with advanced fabrication and characterization techniques for nanoporous graphene membranes. I learned how to improve pore size control and membrane transfer methods, which are critical for achieving high selectivity in water purification.”

For Sharafat, the best thing about his time at MIT was the meaningful connections he cultivated with his mentors and peers.

“I found our weekly group meetings valuable because everyone shared updates and offered feedback. This helped me learn from others and stay motivated. I also met regularly with my supervisor, which was very helpful for improving my work and understanding the research direction better. These meetings helped me grow as a researcher and made me feel supported and included in the team.”

Sharafat encourages anyone considering research opportunities abroad to let go of doubts and take the leap.

“I would definitely encourage other students to go for it. An international experience pushes you out of your comfort zone, not just academically, but personally as well. My advice is to be open-minded, proactive, and willing to adapt. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek help, people are often more supportive than you expect.”