From Kashmir to Manchester: Hard work earns Pattan youth European Research Council Fellowship.
A Kashmiri youth from Pattan area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district has been selected as ‘European Research Council Fellow (ERCF)’ to complete his Postdoctoral Research at University of Manchester in England.
Dr Rizwan Nabi, 31 hailing from Yadipora Hyderbeigh area of Baramulla has brought laurels to Kashmir as he has been recently selected as ERC fellow at University of Manchester. With the selection, Nabi became one among the few students across India who achieved the feat.
Talking to Rising Kashmir, Rizwan said he was inspired by his uncle Farooq Ahmad Lone, who acted as his mentor, teacher and guided him during his childhood days.
About challenges he faced, the researcher said he comes from a humble family whose financial conditions were always very weak. Yet Rizwan struggled and moved forward.
He completed his bachelor’s in BSc from Government Boys Degree College Baramulla and then Masters in Chemistry from Amravati University Nagpur (Maharashtra) in 2012.
In 2013 he qualified Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
After this he joined Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai in 2013 as a Project Fellow in the field of Inorganic Catalysis and worked there for one year. He then qualified GATE-2014.
He did his PhD in 2020 from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. (Mumbai).
Rizwan said during his PhD, the theme of his research was to understand the stability, electronic and magnetic properties of Single-Molecule Magnets (SMMs) at different surfaces and some carbonic surfaces, which is a key player in elucidating the device fabrication.
“My research was mainly concerned about the problem of describing magnetic properties in 3d and 4f SMMs on surface and studying cobalt complexes for spin filtering purposes,” he said.
Rizwan said his research interests are centered on the computational study of the chemical control of the vibronic coupling. They will be the first to report the spin-phonon relaxation of SMMs at a very smallest level,” he said.
About future plans, he said in upcoming years, he wants to establish a research centre in Kashmir, which will essentially serve as a “Center for Innovation.” This would generate opportunities for many research students in the turmoil hit valley,” he said.
Rizwan said youth can prepare well for such exams and get fellowships in reputed universities, but there is a need for hard work and consistency to achieve the same.
“Our young generation lacks infrastructure and there is a lack of exposure among them. This has become a challenging factor for them to achieve what they actually deserve,” he said.
Responding to a question, whether there is need for special counselling for students opting to go for higher studies abroad, he said they have already set up a platform on social media including Facebook ‘JK Scientists Page’ to connect with the local youth.
“If anyone needs any consultancy or any help, they can post or drop their messages there and we will respond immediately. It is the age of social media and everyone is connected globally," Rizwan said.
His research work is published in reputed peer reviewed journals across the world including Royal Society of Chemistry, American Chemical Society etc.
During his tenure at IIT Bombay, he presented his work in various national and International conferences and workshops, he said.
Apart from his studies, Rizwan has interest in playing cricket, football, reading books and traveling etc.
“Our young generation is debarred from the competitive world due to certain issues in the valley. Nowadays our youth are seen indulging in drugs and alcohol which is indeed a worrying factor. This is a great challenge, we need to eliminate this evil from our society,” he said.
While urging local Kashmiri students to come forward, Rizwan said that they should not waste their precious time and focus on their studies.
“They should stay focused in their lives as life has many things to offer. We need to wait for the right moment and it will be achieved with continuous efforts and consistency,” he said.
