Phyo Kyaw Zin
Third-year materials science undergraduate at Mahidol University, working on biodegradable polymer composites for food packaging.
phyokyawzin058@gmail.com · Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Date of birth: Jul 2026
Education
BSc in Materials Science and Engineering
Mahidol University, School of Materials Science and Innovation (SCME), Faculty of Science
Aug 2024 – May 2028 · GPA 3.58 / 4.00
Relevant coursework: Structure and Properties of Materials; Polymer Science and Technology; Thermodynamics of Materials; Materials Characterisation; Ceramic and Glass Materials; Introduction to Nanomaterials; Physical Chemistry for Materials; Materials Laboratory II
Research experience
Cellulose-nanofibre reinforced starch/PBAT films for food packaging
Undergraduate researcher (senior project) · Polymer Processing Laboratory, SCME, Mahidol University · Jan 2026 – present
A 3 wt% cellulose nanofibre loading raised tensile strength by 34% over the unfilled starch/PBAT control, with elongation at break falling from 210% to 168%.
Techniques: Solution casting, Tensile testing (ASTM D882), SEM, FTIR, TGA, DSC, Contact angle measurement
Spin-coated ZnO thin films: deposition parameters and crystallinity
Undergraduate research assistant · Thin Film and Surface Science Laboratory, SCME, Mahidol University · Jun – Nov 2025
Produced and characterised 48 films across a 4×4 speed/temperature matrix; Scherrer analysis showed crystallite size rising from 18 nm to 31 nm between 400 °C and 600 °C annealing.
Techniques: Sol-gel synthesis, Spin coating, XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Profilometry, Annealing
A reproducible ImageJ and Python workflow for SEM particle sizing
Independent project, arising from SCMS 242 Materials Characterisation · SCME, Mahidol University · Sept – Dec 2025
Agreed with manual measurement to within 4% on mean particle diameter while reducing analysis time per micrograph from about 25 minutes to under 2.
Techniques: ImageJ macro scripting, Watershed segmentation, Python (pandas, matplotlib), SEM image analysis, Log-normal distribution fitting
Technical skills
Laboratory techniques: Solution casting of polymer films, Spin coating, Sol-gel precursor preparation, Sample mounting and polishing
Instrumentation & characterisation: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR spectroscopy, TGA and DSC, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Universal tensile testing, Contact angle goniometry
Software & simulation: ImageJ / Fiji (incl. macros), COMSOL Multiphysics, Materials Studio
Data analysis & programming: Python (pandas, matplotlib, NumPy), Curve fitting and error analysis, LaTeX
Safety & certifications: Chemical safety and MSDS handling, Chemical waste segregation, Basic first aid
Awards & scholarships
- Dean's List, Faculty of Science — Mahidol University, 2025
- Runner-up, Materials Innovation Challenge — School of Materials Science and Innovation, Mahidol University, 2025
Teaching & outreach
- Teaching assistant, General Chemistry Laboratory — Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Aug 2025 – present
- Science camp volunteer — Mahidol University Science Outreach, Oct 2024 – Oct 2025
Languages
Burmese (Native) · English (C1) · Thai (B2)