Pursuing a PhD at Monash University was one of the most exciting and transformative phases of my academic journey. Motivated by a deep interest in computational mechanics, I undertook my doctoral research in computational fracture mechanics under the supervision of Professor Vinh Phu Nguyen. This period marked a significant transition—from using engineering tools to developing numerical methods and computational frameworks for solving complex engineering problems.

My research focused on the development and application of phase-field methods for fracture modelling, built on the variational framework. I began with foundational concepts in continuum damage mechanics and gradually progressed to cohesive fracture formulations and advanced phase-field approaches. Under the mentorship of my supervisors, I developed strong skills in finite element source code development, object-oriented programming in C++, and high-performance computing using parallelised solvers on HPC systems.

A major part of my research involved the further development and extension of a cohesive phase-field fracture model, which was originally proposed by Professor Jian-Ying Wu. Together with my supervisor, I contributed to enhancing this model for a wide range of engineering applications, including quasi-static, dynamic, thermal, and multi-physics loading conditions. The model demonstrated excellent numerical properties, such as length-scale convergence of global structural responses, which addressed a long-standing limitation in earlier phase-field approaches.

Building upon this foundation, I extended the framework to simulate finite deformation fracture in hyperelastic materials, including rubber, and to capture anisotropic fracture in biological tissues. I also explored higher-order phase-field models, such as fourth-order formulations, to simulate complex fracture phenomena including crack kinking and branching with improved accuracy and robustness.

Throughout my PhD, I remained actively involved in academic publishing and research dissemination. I published more than seven Q1 journal articles in leading international journals in computational mechanics, addressing key challenges in phase-field modelling, numerical implementation, and application to complex engineering problems. My work was also presented at several international conferences and received positive recognition within the scientific community.

Beyond technical research, my experience at Monash University shaped my broader research philosophy—emphasising the balance between theoretical rigour, computational efficiency, and real-world applicability. The intellectual environment, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities made this a deeply enriching period of learning and growth.

This formative experience laid a strong foundation for my continued research in multi-physics modelling, material degradation, and fracture mechanics, and continues to guide my contributions to both academic and industrial domains.