Women in Research #LINO25: Sajal Arwish

Sajal from Pakistan is a Doctoral Researcher at the University of Münster, Germany.

Sajal is currently engaged in the fabrication of polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries, with a particular focus on zwitterionic materials, ionogels, and solid polymer electrolytes. To investigate the transport properties within these designed polymer systems, she primarily employs Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). This work aims to contribute to the development of safer, more efficient, and sustainable energy storage solutions. Moving forward, she plans to expand her research into the use of greener and more sustainable materials for Li and post Li batteries, aligning with the principles of green chemistry and the global push toward cleaner energy technologies.

Sajal participates in the 74^th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting.

Enjoy the interview with Sajal and get inspired:

What inspired you to pursue a career in science / in your discipline?

Since my childhood, my curiosity has been more about science than entertainment. I used to study books not only relevant to my curriculum but also to hunt books and articles beyond the course level. My siblings used to watch cartoons in their free time, but it never appealed to me. At that time, I used to explore more through videos what I learned in my science book in school.

Also, my father is a mathematician, educationist, and advocate. So, I have been in contact with scientific discussions and education perspectives since my childhood. Additionally, I received my early education at my own school, where I had a very good science teacher. She built a strong foundation for me to understand conceptual ideas and how to present them in examinations. I want to share one thing here: I still remember that my father hired a special tutor who used to teach my sister and me physics in the evenings. I used to ask a lot of questions with a sense of curiosity that often took up all the class time, and sometimes I was satisfied with the answers, while at other times I wasn’t. My teacher thought that I would waste time asking questions, but that was actually my curiosity and a way to gain a deeper understanding. So, he complained to my father. (A great laugh here).

But I am a person who, whenever and wherever I get stuck in something, I try to dig deeper and deeper into it until or unless I end up with some valid, reasonable answers that satisfies my mind. Otherwise, my mind always keeps me pushing on that unsolved mystery. To be brief, I was born and raised in a scientific environment, and my inner love, madness, and devotion to science, especially the chemistry subject, are a real motivation for me to pursue a career in this field.

Who are your role models?

To be honest, it’s tough just to name one person as my role model. Because in life, as you grow and move ahead each and every day, you meet different people, different minds, and different stories that inspire you in different ways. However, as I have to address something regarding this question, it’s worth noting that, in the initial phase, your family is always a part of your motivation.

My parents are one of my role models; my father inspired me through his dedication and spirit in the field of science and education. Additionally, when I was in the 8th grade, my father began pursuing his LLB degree in law due to his motivation and personal interest in the field. So, I see before my eyes that there is no age limit, no time boundaries to pursue and continue your aims. Secondly, my mother is also a role model for me, as I strive to emulate her most admirable qualities, including the nicest, most wonderful, and elegant personality. I would say no one can compete her character. Though, in my journey a few months ago, I lost my beloved mother, I am sure she must be happy while seeing me growing and achieving more as an active voice for women in research.

Besides, for the first time in my 9th-grade chemistry book, I read a topic relevant to radiochemistry, and I came to know at that time that Marie Skłodowska-Curie had won the Nobel Prize for this discovery. When I read this, there was a different spark inside of me, and I was like, Waooww! She did an amazing job and won this prestigious prize alongside her husband. Their family is a role model for me. How they have won the Nobel Prizes. It’s my wish that I could build this type of family of my own. You can dream of anything you like, without geographical, regional, or any other type of boundaries. Actually, I have been dreaming about this for some time now, and I will continue to do so. I would say dreams are destinations. As I have already said, life goes on, and you continue to meet new people.

My master’s research supervisor, Prof Dr Hazrat Hussain, is a great inspiration to me – his way of teaching and delivering concepts to others, as well as many other aspects, is truly admirable. One of my female teachers, Prof Dr Faroha Liaquat (also an Alumna of the Lindau Meetings), is a motivation for me on how women can contribute to science and technology while managing all other things in parallel. And now, when I started working with my PhD supervisor, also a female, Prof Dr Monika Schonhoff, she has become a wonderful and inspiring personality for me. How she has developed innovative solutions for the first time in the field, her approach to working, scientific discussions, and how she used to present her work at conferences always motivates me to continue my career in the field.

How did you get to where you are in your career path?

I believe that my career path and where I am today are not as simple as it may appear to others. It’s a long journey to get to where I am right now. I belong to a developing country, where in some families, females are not considered for pursuing their academic careers; they are only considered for running their families and household responsibilities. But thanks to allah almighty, as I am a believer, who has let me born in a very good family, my father is renowned in the field of education in my home country. So, he always supported me in my education and kept studying.

Since my childhood, books have been my constant companion. In my school, I had very good biology and chemistry teachers, so I developed a great interest in these subjects. At the matriculation level, I won the Certificate of Excellence award for people standing first (It is a very prestigious award from the Middle East, and only the top 21 students got this) and a merit fellowship. These awards for my excellency gave me the courage to continue and achieve more. Then I pursued my pre-medical studies, a field commonly chosen by girls to become a doctor. So, I also aimed to be a doctor, so I continued to study in this group. I did my best and also won a fellowship, the Shield for Excellence, and the Student of the Year award. In my country, one must pass an entrance exam to gain admission to a government-level medical college.

So, after full preparation with devotion and dreaming, yes, I will make it. I appeared in the exam, but I didn’t stand on the closing merit. So, in parallel, I appeared for three exams at the Army Medical College and one at FMDC, but again, I didn’t reach the closing merit. What were my feelings and emotions at that time? I think no one can imagine. Seeing my wish, my parents were in view, okay, if she wants this, let her do it. I started to search and visit some private medical colleges, but after a few weeks, I decided that, being such a hardworking and talented student since school, I should reconsider my approach. Why should I study in a way that requires my parents to invest a huge amount? I told myself that chemistry is my favorite subject, so I should pursue a career in this field.

Then, I was admitted to BSc the next year, when the time for the entrance exam to medical college came around again. One of my friends motivated me to retake the test; maybe this time, I might be able to succeed. It appeared I had two exams in parallel, one day after the other. One from my BSc and one that I decided to appear again for medical entrance. This time, I was very close to the merit closing point; if two-thirds of the high-merit students opt not to pursue it, then I can get in. But obviously, who will get back to their dreams? But this time, it didn’t hurt because I was already enjoying studying chemistry and other biology subjects in my BSc. Then, I said Goodbye forever to my medical career.

I continued to pursue chemistry, always studying hard, and I love to make handwritten notes. And always my teachers asked me to make available your notes at institute photocopy shop so all other students can benefit. And I always feel happy to share. I ended those two years of my life with great distinction, having received a Student of the Year award and a merit fellowship. As my journey progressed, I entered my next university to pursue a master’s degree in physical chemistry. In university, each teacher has inspired me. Physical chemistry teachers Prof Dr Hazrat Hussain, Prof Dr Mujtaba Shah, and Prof Dr Afzal Shah greatly inspired me, so I decided to specialize in this subject. I performed my best at the university level. I won two awards, the Chancellor (awarded by the president of my home country) and the Vice-Chancellor gold medal in MSc chemistry.

Then, as I already mentioned, in our country, most girls are involved in family-making, leaving behind their ongoing careers. Likewise, that stage came in my life, but my father said she would continue to pursue a further MPhil degree, and there would be no restriction on her for studying and working. So, I continued with a master’s of philosophy degree, but during my M.Phil chemistry degree in 2021, my life underwent a 360 turn, that has completely changed my life, plans started to change with time and everything become uncertain. However, I continued to keep my focus on my research and thesis despite the challenges I was facing in parallel. Even though I did my defense and master thesis in the toughest time of my life, facing mental traumas, panic attacks, chaos, uncertainties… I did my best and again won the Vice Chancellor’s gold medal for the best coursework, study, research, and thesis in my degree.

My MPhil supervisor, Prof Dr Hazrat Hussain, said to me, ‘You are not the right person to pursue higher-level studies here; you should go abroad and seek a good position at the international level for your PhD.’ I then entered the phase of applying for positions, writing proposals, submitting applications, and appearing in interviews. I familiarize myself with almost every application route around the globe to hunt PhD position. I received numerous offers for various positions worldwide. I still have the acceptance letters with me, as they are a testament to my continued efforts and devotion. But I decided to choose the one where I am now. This opportunity has also provided me with the chance not only to pursue my doctoral research in the battery field at one of Germany’s great universities but also to visit research institutes in the USA, attend in-person project meeting discussions, and learn new techniques and working environments across different labs.

When I moved abroad for the first time in my life and started working here, I began to enjoy every moment; I learned about new cultures, a new language, and a perfect research environment. I am enjoying my research project, attending seminars, presenting my work, and attending conferences around the globe. So, my motivation continues to be in research and do some innovation. There is still a long way to go to undertake exciting projects in the energy sector and invest in green chemistry initiatives.

What is the coolest project you have worked on and why?

So far, I have worked on many projects in the education sector, as well as in research. However, I would say that I really enjoyed my project in master’s studies for the first time when I worked on polymer electrolytes and their applications in Li-ion batteries. This project has made a foundation for me in a world of research and science. I continued to work in this area of research, alongside many other side projects. I think Li-ion batteries can play a significant role in green chemistry if we plan to design raw materials from natural sources and avoid the use of Petro-based compounds. My interest in this field directed me to the PhD position where I am doing research now in the same field.

What’s a time you felt immense pride in yourself / your work?

There were many phases in my academic career when I felt proud of myself for doing amazing work. I want to highlight two notable achievements here: During my master’s studies, I secured the top position in the entire natural sciences department at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. I received two awards, which was an unimaginable moment for me. Secondly, during my PhD, I attended the Ampere NMR conference and received a poster prize for presenting my poster; that was also a proud moment for me. Appreciations in any form, such as prizes and good comments from your professors, always give you the spirit to continue and remain hardworking.

What is a “day in the life” of you like?

A day in my life starts with prayers and reciting some verses (as I am a believer); afterward, I spend time with nature, go on morning walks, and sometimes go jogging on different tracks. Then, I start getting ready for my University. I have to prepare my breakfast and also side by side lunch. Mostly, I start my work around 9:00 am. Days at University are different from every day. Every day has a different story and different learning. Some days are spent being stuck on one thing, while others involve mentoring students or attending seminars, so every day is full of learning. I enjoy each and every day at my workplace. Usually, I come back around 7-8 pm, and sometimes, yes, even after 11 pm or later (a little crazy, I know), so it depends on my motivation for the day and what I want to accomplish on that specific day. In the evening, I spend some time with nature; I usually engage in self-talk at night by looking at the sky, specifically pointing to the moon, and I write down some important things and thoughts from the day on paper.

What are you seeking to accomplish in your career?

I aim to make meaningful contributions to the development of clean, sustainable, and efficient energy solutions through research and innovation. My goal is to work on advanced materials and technologies – particularly in the field of energy storage and battery systems – that can support the global transition to a greener future. Whether through an academic path or an industrial role, I am passionate about conducting impactful research that addresses real-world challenges such as energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and clean energy integration. Ultimately, I hope to be part of projects and collaborations that drive forward scientific and technological breakthroughs, benefiting both society and the planet.

What do you like to do when you’re not doing research?

In my free time, when I’m not doing research, I enjoy solo traveling or traveling with friends. I enjoy spending time with nature by sitting by the waterside and reading a book or writing my own thoughts on paper. Besides, since my college level, I have had a great interest in literature and poetry, so I write some poetry in my free time. Sometimes, I watch some science seasons, movies, music, and dramas. One typical female thing: I also enjoy cooking; it’s a form of therapy for me.

What advice do you have for other women interested in science / in your discipline?

My advice would be to stay determined, work hard, and remain consistent. It’s okay to take breaks when needed, but never lose sight of your goals; perseverance is key. In science and research, continuity is one of the most important elements for success. I acknowledge that it can be particularly challenging for women, as they often bear a larger share of household responsibilities. However, with thoughtful planning and strong time-management strategies, it is absolutely possible to strike a healthy balance between a personal life and a scientific career. Women have the strength and capability to excel in both areas. Believe in yourself, stay focused, and keep moving forward so your efforts will lead you to your destination.

Recently, I launched a platform to help and motivate, especially females, in exploring hunting opportunities for better research around the globe. Soon, in a few days, the website will become available. (I will share the link to make it more visible). I am excited and hope to create many successful stories in the near future with my new project.

In your opinion, what will be the next great breakthrough in science / in your discipline?

One of the most significant breakthroughs in the field of energy science is expected to come from advancements in lithium-ion batteries and beyond-lithium energy storage technologies, as well as sustainable technologies. With the increasing global demand for clean and sustainable energy, especially in electric vehicles and renewable energy integration, improving battery performance has become a major focus in scientific research. Solid-state lithium-ion batteries, which use solid electrolytes instead of traditional liquid ones, are gaining attention due to their higher energy density, improved safety, and longer lifespan. In parallel, researchers are exploring advanced materials, such as silicon and lithium metal anodes, which offer significantly higher energy storage capacity and faster charging times compared to conventional graphite. Beyond lithium-ion systems, alternative battery chemistries, such as sodium-ion, magnesium-ion, and zinc-air, are emerging as cost-effective and sustainable options due to the abundance of these elements. At the same time, considerable efforts are being made to develop eco-friendly manufacturing and recycling processes to minimize environmental impact and support a circular economy. Polymer electrolytes are also showing great potential, particularly in solid-state battery development, offering enhanced safety, thermal stability, and design flexibility. Collectively, these innovations are expected to revolutionize the way we store and use energy, driving progress toward a cleaner and more sustainable future.

What should be done to increase the number of female scientists and professors?

In many parts of the world, women often bear a greater share of responsibilities at home, including household chores and childcare. Balancing these duties with a demanding academic career can be challenging. Therefore, to increase the number of female scientists and professors, it is essential to create a more supportive and flexible working environment. Institutions should offer additional benefits tailored to the needs of women, such as working hours, remote work options, extended parental leave, and accessible childcare facilities. Moreover, policies that acknowledge and accommodate family planning and caregiving responsibilities can help women pursue academic careers without having to choose between personal and professional life. By addressing these challenges, we can enable women to contribute more effectively both at home and in society, ultimately leading to greater gender diversity and equity in academia.