Our scientists are pushing the boundaries to create smarter, stronger and more sustainable materials that shape the world. In our Meet the Scientist series, we take you inside our labs where we meet some of the brilliant minds at Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials – and discover what inspires them, how they work and what impact they strive to make on the world.
Name: Dr Bhagya Dharmasiri
Specialty: Materials Chemistry and Technology with a focus on carbon fibre composites and energy storage
Degree/s: B. Sc (Hons), PhD
Key instruments and technologies: carbon fibre composites, energy storage
How long have you been a material scientist? 5 years
Describe your role as a materials scientist and what materials you work with.
I work primarily with carbon fibre and carbon-fibre-reinforced composites, and my role is to transform them from traditional, passive load-bearing materials into high-performance, multifunctional systems. Through surface chemistry and interface engineering, I aim to give carbon fibre entirely new capabilities such as storing energy, sensing their environment, or enabling recyclability, so that future structures can be lighter, smarter, and more sustainable.
What drew you to materials science as a career?
I was drawn to materials science because of its immediate, real-world impact. It gives me the power to redesign materials at the molecular level and see those changes translate directly to practical technologies. I love that I can create something that didn’t exist before and know it has the potential to make a meaningful difference.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I’m not a morning person-I start my day a bit later, but from 9 to 5 I work at full capacity. My days usually involve a mix of experiments, analysis, discussions with students or collaborators, and problem-solving in the lab. After work, I switch off: I go to the gym or spend time painting, journaling, or doing something creative. I end the evening relaxing with my husband over dinner and Netflix. I’m not a night owl either, and I avoid taking work home unless it’s absolutely necessary.
What would be a surprising aspect of your workday?
A surprising aspect of my workday is how often experiments behave exactly as planned. In research that almost never happens, so when it does, it feels like a small scientific miracle.
How do you divide your time between research, testing and documentation?
I’m very organised and a strong multitasker. I plan my day every morning with priorities clearly marked, and I always carry my planner with me. Over the years I’ve learned to balance experiments, data analysis, reading and writing by sticking to my plan and keeping my workflow efficient and intentional.
What part of your workday do you enjoy the most?
I love brainstorming sessions. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by incredibly bright scientists, and some of the best ideas, scientific or otherwise, emerge from open conversations. Those discussions often evolve into exciting research directions and, sometimes, real scientific breakthroughs.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job-seeing the results, innovation or application?
Honestly, all three. Good results are exciting, but even “negative” results can lead to unexpected insights or new directions. Innovation is energising, and seeing potential applications is deeply rewarding. Knowing that my work, even in a small way, can contribute to solving real problems or advancing technology is what motivates me every day.