Ph.D. Advanced Design Techniques for Recycled Structural and Non-Structural Composites Student Maheshwara Reddy JEDLA from India Shares His Journey of Studying at Politecnico di Milano, Italy

My name is Maheshwara Reddy JEDLA (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maheshwara-reddy/ ), and I am from India. From an early stage in my academic journey, I have been deeply curious about how materials behave, how structures respond under different loading and environmental conditions, and how engineering design can be used to optimize their performance. This curiosity gradually developed into a focused academic and research career in advanced materials and structural engineering.

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, where I built a strong foundation in mechanics, materials science, and structural analysis. During this period, I developed a particular interest in lightweight structural design, material microstructure–property relationships, and the corrosion behaviour of metals. My early research work on lightweight Al–Li alloys strengthened my interest in weight reduction strategies for high-performance structural applications. This growing curiosity about advanced materials and structural efficiency motivated me to pursue a Master’s degree in Advanced Composite Engineering and Science. At the master’s level, I gained specialized knowledge in composite materials, lightweight design principles, and advanced manufacturing techniques, recognizing their critical role in aerospace, automotive, and other high-performance engineering sectors.

Driven by a desire to contribute not only to performance but also to sustainability in engineering materials, I began my PhD in Advanced Design Techniques for Recycled Structural and Non-Structural Composites. My doctoral research focuses on modelling mechanical properties and creating design tools for recycled composite materials. Through this work, I aim to support the development of next-generation lightweight structures while promoting circular economy principles in advanced engineering applications.

Ultimately, my academic path has been shaped by a clear goal: to become a research scientist contributing to the development of high-performance, lightweight, and environmentally responsible structural systems for advanced engineering applications.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Scholarship Details

I am honoured to be funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under the FibReLoop project at Politecnico di Milano. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) Grant Agreement No. 101169071. FibReLoop is an innovative research initiative, Closing the fibre-reinforced composites loop: recycling materials for recycled components.

Further details about the project can be found at:
https://fibreloop.polimi.it/

Project updates are also available on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/msca-fibreloop

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

I was awarded the Charpak BCS Scholarship during my Master’s program. It primarily provided medical insurance, a student visa fee waiver, and subsidized food costs at CROUS restaurants in France.

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at GITAM University, India. During this time, I worked in different laboratories, which significantly boosted my curiosity about material behaviour and structural performance. I also had the opportunity to receive guidance from Dr. Venkateswarlu Karodi, Chief Scientist at CSIR–National Aerospace Laboratories, as well as Prof. Dr. Bijayani Panda from CMRIT. Under their mentorship, I carried out my bachelor’s project, which provided me with valuable research exposure and a practical understanding of materials.

This experience played an important role in helping me secure admission to École Centrale de Nantes, France, for my Master’s degree in Advanced Composite Engineering and Science. The knowledge and research skills I gained during my bachelor’s and master’s studies ultimately prepared me to pursue and be selected for this prestigious PhD project in Advanced Design Techniques for Recycled Structural and Non-Structural Composites.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to École Centrale de Nantes?

To prepare for applying to institutions, I carefully checked the official websites of the universities and thoroughly reviewed the courses and research areas they offered. After understanding the program details and requirements, I applied directly through the university portals.

For my Master’s program, I did not take any standardized tests. Instead, I went through an interview process as part of the selection procedure. For my current PhD application, I was first given a project to work on and asked to prepare a report. After submitting the report, I was invited for an interview as the next stage of the selection process.

I have not taken any language proficiency tests or competitive examinations such as SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, or IELTS.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Charpak BCS and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Scholarships?

For the Charpak Scholarship, I followed the standard application procedure by carefully reviewing the official websites to understand the opportunities offered in France. I gathered the required documents and applied through the designated application platform as per the guidelines.

For my current PhD, the scholarship was integrated into the project itself, and the funding was part of the research project.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I would say that the selection process gave me an opportunity to prove my skills rather than just testing what I knew or what I had learned in the past. By assigning a project to evaluate and develop, they allowed me to demonstrate my practical abilities, analytical thinking, and approach to problem-solving. This format helped me showcase my potential as a researcher beyond academic qualifications alone.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

My advice to those applying for a similar scholarship is to focus on demonstrating how you approach a problem, especially during the interview. Instead of only presenting what you have done or what you have learned, try to clearly explain your thought process, problem-solving strategy, and how you would tackle a new challenge. Even presenting a couple of slides that show your approach to solving a problem can make a strong impression. I believe this is key, as selection committees are often interested in your potential and research mindset, not just your past achievements.