About Dr. Aatish Anshuman
Dr. Aatish Anshuman is a Civil Engineering PhD graduate from the PhD batch of 2018 – 2022 at IIT Bombay. He bagged the prestigious Naik and Rastogi PhD Excellence award with a whopping 6 first author publications. He is currently a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Alabama, USA. Read on to learn more about Dr. Aatish Anshuman’s PhD journey and his insights about APS preparation.
Lokesh: Could you describe your APS experiences and your most important APS session?
Dr. Aatish: All my APS sessions were a great learning experience. I was fortunate to have a supportive supervisor and RPC members who encouraged me throughout the PhD program. My first APS was about setting research objectives and have a proper workplan to achieve the same. I would say my 2nd APS and 3rd APS were very crucial in my PhD program during which, I believe, one should try to have their work either communicated or published in reputed journals. After my 2nd APS, my research goals became more well-defined and I was focused on publishing my manuscripts over the subsequent APS. By my 3rd APS, I had three journal publications which made me more confident about my PhD.
Lokesh: What were your key takeaways from the APS sessions?
Dr. Aatish: Personally, the APS sessions were helpful in improving my scientific communication skills with my peers and experts in my field. I learnt about how to present my work well. The feedback and comments from my Research Progress Committee (RPC) members were instrumental in enhancing my research as well as presentation proficiency.
Lokesh: What are the parameters on which an APS session is evaluated?
Dr. Aatish: APS sessions are judged based on progress made towards the PhD objectives. It differs depending on the year of program. 1st APS is assessed based on the objectives framed and its relevancy. 2nd APS onwards, the evaluation is based on the research progress towards objectives, how well work is presented and publications.
Lokesh: How to prepare for the APS sessions?
Dr. Aatish: I would suggest one should make a note of the feedbacks and comments received and work on them soon after every APS so that significant progress towards the research objectives can be done by the next presentation. Consistency in work throughout the year helps a lot.
Lokesh: What is the strategy to prepare the APS reports and presentations?
Dr. Aatish: The work which has been done towards the objectives after the previous APS should be articulated in the report in such a way that it can be communicated to a journal. One should prepare the APS presentation well in advance and have sufficient practice for the same.
Lokesh: What is the role of APS towards your PhD thesis award?
Dr. Aatish: APS was immensely helpful in tracking my research progress and achieve the desired results. Implementing the suggestions received during the APS improved the quality of my research and helped me publish 6 journal papers by the end of my PhD, which I feel played a great role in my PhD excellence award. The competition for the award varies from department to department. While this award is extremely prestigious, one should not let themselves demotivated upon rejection. One should always strive for high quality research and keep themselves motivated.
Lokesh: Could you offer tips for PhD excellence award and survival in science?
Dr. Aatish: Effective time management plays a pivotal role in the PhD program. Being consistent throughout this journey is highly essential even when one doesn’t get desired results from experiments or, simulations on some days. Regular communication with supervisor and RPC members helps a lot. One should try to communicate their work as soon as they accomplish an objective. Pursue your hobbies and keep yourself fit by indulging yourselves in various physical activities.
