I am Md Faiaz Al Islam, a mechanical engineer, currently pursuing my PhD in Micro and Nanoscale Systems Engineering at Louisiana Tech University, USA. I work as a research assistant in the Electrokinetics Lab, with my research focusing on fatigue crack arrest treatment. My engineering journey began with a solid academic foundation at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2021.

I am originally from Rajshahi, a beautiful city in northern Bangladesh. I moved to Dhaka, the capital city located in central Bangladesh, in 2016 for my undergraduate studies. Now, I live in Ruston, a small town in Northern Louisiana, USA, as I pursue my graduate studies. The serene environment of Northern Louisiana strikingly resembles my hometown of Rajshahi. This similarity has made me fall in love with Louisiana.

In the United States, I have remained actively involved in the international student community. I served as the Cultural Coordinator of the International Students Association (ISA) at Louisiana Tech University, working alongside executive committee members from diverse regions across Asia, Europe, and Africa. I also took on the role of Vice President of the Students' Association of Bangladesh (SAB), contributing to our close-knit Bengali community in Ruston. Currently, I serve as the Treasurer of the Muslim Students Association (MSA). These leadership roles have given me the opportunity to uphold moral values, preserve cultural identity, and collaborate with people from various backgrounds.

Back in Bangladesh, I have been a dedicated member of Badhon, a voluntary blood donors' organization, since 2016. I have donated blood eight times (most recently on November 12, 2022) and have also coordinated emergency donations for critical cases. I stand by Badhon’s inspiring motto: “Donate blood, save life.” During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I co-founded Zero, a regional nonprofit initiative aimed at supporting affected individuals in Rajshahi. With the help of my school friends, Zero provided aid to nearly 6,000 people in need. At the same time, I co-established Acharer Jhuri in 2020, a small pickle business created to help support my family financially during the economic hardships brought on by the pandemic.

Throughout my academic journey, I’ve worked on diverse projects, including RF noise generation for signal jamming, FinFET simulation, heat exchanger design, and ANSYS-based structural analysis. I’ve assisted senior design teams, presented my research at the 2024 Graduate Symposium, and served as a teaching assistant. I also completed industrial training at GEMCO and designed an HVAC system for a studio apartment in Dhaka. Along the way, I earned my FE Mechanical certification and obtained Six Sigma Green Belt and Lean Manufacturing certifications, all of which continue to shape my engineering perspective. 

I am eager to continue my academic journey, collaborate on research projects, and contribute to both the engineering community and society at large.