PhD in Chemistry

Neilgreib (Neil) Nandi chose the Chemistry PhD programme at UMass for its strong emphasis on cutting-edge materials research and its combination of fundamental and applied science. What drew him in was the chance to work alongside faculty focused on energy-related materials, a field he was eager to explore.

From the start, Nandi took full advantage of the university’s advanced facilities, including soft X-ray spectroscopy labs, IALS, Conti facilities, and shared instrumentation centres. “Being able to access high-end tools and work closely with instrumentation scientists allowed me to dive deep into the functional properties of materials and validate our hypotheses with precision,” he says.

Overall, Nandi believes the programme trains students in technical depth and problem-solving, adaptability, and collaboration. "It provided a solid foundation for careers in both research-intensive environments and broader roles that require scientific expertise and innovation," he says.