THE MELODIES OF MATERIALS
Materials science is at the heart of innovation, shaping the tools and technologies of our modern world. Let's dive into the intricacies behind the materials that define the music and sounds of our lives.
interviews
Read all about my interviews with industry professionals!
04/19/2026 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 8 min read
Coacervates, Cold Chains, and Curiosity: A Conversation with Dr. Sarah Perry
One of the most rewarding parts of pursuing research at a young age is what it unlocks beyond the lab bench. Earlier this month, I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Sarah Perry, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, for a nearly hour-long discussion about coacervate science, polymer chemistry, and the kind of winding scientific career path that I find genuinely inspiring. I walked away with more clarity, more questions, and more excitement about the field than I had going in.
01/13/2026 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 10 min read
Rethinking Robotics from the Inside-Out - Interview with Georgia Tech's Tony Chen
Last week, as I continued exploring materials science beyond the lab, I had the opportunity to speak with Professor Tony Chen, a robotics and mechanical engineering researcher at Georgia Tech (GT). We met a this year's FRC (First Robotics Competition) Kickoff Event at GT, where thousands of high school robotics competitiors and alumni gather together to reveal this season's challenge. My team was fortunate enough to get a full tour of Tony Chen's lab and the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering's facilities.
In FRC Robotics, materials are not often the main topic of discussion. Regardless of the game, our team ends up using the same aluminum CNC plates, the same Lexan sheets, and the same PLA 3D printed sockets. I curious to see how Dr. Chen, being an FRC alumnus of my own team, transitioned from this constraint in materials decision to a world of unrestricted and ungrounded discovery.
8/13/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 8 min read
From Student to Curriculum Director: A Conversation with Eric Cole at the 2025 ASM Eisenman Materials Camp
During my time at the 2025 ASM Eisenman Materials Camp, I had the privilege of speaking with Eric Cole, R&D (Research and Development) Manager at Carpenter Technology Corporation and the 2025 Eisenman Camp Curriculum Director. Our conversation wasn’t just a glance into his professional journey, it was also a chance to understand how materials science education has evolved over the last two decades, and how curiosity at a summer camp can spark a lifelong career. Eric and I sat down here at ASM International’s headquarters during the Eisenman Camp, where I spent the week learning materials science through hands-on labs and failure analysis projects. His story begins in a place that’s similar to where I am now, the 2007 Eisenman Camp.
7/11/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 8 min read
My Fascinating Discussion with Rice University's Sathvik Iyengar
A few weeks ago, I was attending a group meeting with my lab mentor here at Georgia State University during my daily research internship. I was rather pleased to hear that the topic of the day was specialized in materials science, so I was eager to take notes and get to know the lecturer. It was exciting to engage in this novel content that resonated with my interests.
Meeting Mr. Sathvik Iyengar in person was both inspiring and motivating. After the presentation, I introduced myself and shared some of the notes I had just been taking on my phone. Mr. Iyengar was very approachable and gave insightful responses that deepened my understanding of the topic, and he even offered to keep in touch so I could read more advanced literature on the complex research and developments of his topic, 2D nanomaterials. My current work at Georgia State University involves chemistry and biomaterials, two fundamental sub-fields of materials science, yet I was eager to learn about more specialized, “pure”, materials science analysis, such as Mr. Iyengar’s work at Rice.
6/12/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 6 min read
My Insightful Conversation with Lohitash Karumbaiah, Ph.D. at the University of Georgia
I recently got the opportunity to have a conversation with Lohitash Karumbaiah, an Associate Professor and director of the Translational Glycomaterials and Neural Repair Laboratory at the University of Georgia. We discussed his lab’s research, which plays a heavy emphasis on biomaterials and bioanalytics. I was intrigued by the Karumbaiah Lab’s astounding innovations in materials science and medicine, and this conversation opened the doors for me to further explore my interest in this field of engineering.
1/28/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 6 min read
A Touching Moment with Kuljit Bhamra -Pioneer, Inventor, and Tabla Player Extraordinaire
My recent conversation with Keda Music founder and CEO Kuljit Bhamra to learn more about the TablaTouch left me inspired and intrigued by the innovative fusion of tradition and technology. The TablaTouch is to the traditional Tabla as the keyboard is to the piano or as the electric guitar is to the acoustic guitar. Our discussion led me deeper into the heart of the first electronic Tabla and how it has, and will, continue to shape the instrument and its popularity worldwide today.