Sana Awan

I am Sana, a PhD candidate at RMIT University. Before that, I completed my MPhil in Physics at Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan in 2015.

My field of work was computational condensed matter theory, before which I completed my Masters in Physics in 2012 and my Bachelors in Mathematics and Physics in 2009.

I love to solve problems and always enjoy me-time when I can do my research work. Those days of the week are the best days for me, which I normally spend in my RMIT office.

Skills

  • Scientific analysis
    • Various density functional theory (DFT) codes for first-principles calculations of energy structures for electronic & magnetic properties
    • Data Constrained Modelling software
    • X-ray micro-CT data collection & analysis
    • Scanning electron microscopy analysis
    • Energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis
  • Programming
    • FORTRAN 77, Fortran 95
    • Mathematica
  • Visualisation & basic analysis
    • Gnuplot
    • Xmgrace
    • Xcrysdene
    • Image
  • Operating systems
    • Unix/Linux systems
  • Office
    • Microsoft Office, LaTeX
Portrait of Sana Awan

PhD project

Prior work

  • 2014-2015: MPhil research project (Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan) - 'Adsorption of Cobalt on Silicine and Silicane’
    • Project description & responsibilities
      • Silicene is a single sheet of silicon atoms that exhibit exceptional properties. Silicene is made up of silicon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice. First-principles calculations using density functional theory (DFT) within local density approximation (LDA) were carried out to study the effect of hydrogenation on Co-doped silicene. Pure silicene, two types of silicane and Co-doped silicene, and silicane were considered. The lattice parameters of silicene and silicane were then optimized.
      • The interactions of silicene with the adatoms (Co) and molecules (H2) were characterised by the calculation of optimum binding geometries and the corresponding atomic structures at the proximity of the adatom. The energy landscapes were calculated and the relevant electronic & magnetic properties together with the spin-projected & adatom projected densities states were determined. Hydrogen was found to significantly affect Co-doped silicene by reducing its binding energy.
    • Project description & responsibilities
      • Project management
      • Literature review
      • Ran Density Functional Theory simulations
      • 3D visualisation of results
      • Writing of project documentation
      • Writing of final project report, presentation, and thesis
    • Achievements
      • Received a High Distinction for project
      • Selected for Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme
  • 2014-2015: MPhil degree (Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan)
    • Successfully completed wind turbine project under supervision of Dr. Shamoona (Faculty of Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan)
    • ‘A’ grade in Circuits & Electronics course (a course offered by MIT & Harvard University, USA)
  • 2013-2014: Teaching Assistant - Quaid-e-Azam University

Further information

Supervisors:

  • Joint Senior Supervisor: Dr Milan Patel (RMIT University)
  • Joint Senior Supervisor: Dr Sam Yang (CSIRO)
  • Associate Supervisor: Prof. Ivan Cole (RMIT University)
  • Associate Supervisor: Prof. Alireza Bab-Hadiashar (RMIT University)

Discover more

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.