Laiba Bilal graduated from Stony Brook University in May with a PhD in electrical engineering, marking the end of a two-decade journey. Bilal, originally from Karachi, Pakistan, began her pursuit of a doctorate in 2005 after completing her master’s degree at GIK Institute. Her academic path was interrupted several times due to family commitments and challenges faced as a woman pursuing higher education.
Bilal described the early stages of her journey: “I came home to Karachi for three weeks during winter break for the ceremony and then went back to complete my MS, as I still had one semester to go.” After marrying and moving away from her university, she decided to pause her studies. “I made the difficult decision to step back,” she said. “Letting go of something I had worked so hard for wasn’t easy, but at the time it felt like the right choice.”
Attempts to resume doctoral studies in Pakistan were unsuccessful, including an experience where she learned a local program was not accredited and another attempt at National University of Sciences and Technology that proved emotionally taxing. “I completed all the coursework, but those two years were among the most emotionally difficult of my life,” Bilal said. She noted societal pressures against women—especially mothers—pursuing advanced degrees.
After raising three daughters and relocating to New York, Bilal returned to academia in 2021 by enrolling in Stony Brook’s PhD program. She found encouragement from faculty members such as Thomas Robertazzi and the late Matthew Eisaman. “They reminded me that sometimes you don’t just return, you come back stronger,” she said.
A significant development occurred when she joined Anibal Boscoboinik’s research group at Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Center for Functional Nanomaterials. Boscoboinik is also an adjunct professor at Stony Brook. Under his mentorship, Bilal refocused her efforts on noble gas trapping materials within surface science—a project that moved toward real-world applications.
“From the time Laiba joined my research group, she demonstrated not only strong technical capabilities but also a determination to tackle complex scientific challenges,” said Boscoboinik. “Her PhD work focused on the development of noble gas trapping materials, rooted in fundamental surface science. What made her contributions particularly noteworthy was her ability to successfully translate this foundational research into engineered materials that are now a step closer to real-world applications that can directly benefit society.”
Department advisor Mónica Bugallo supported Bilal’s transition between Stony Brook and Brookhaven Lab. “Laiba’s journey is truly inspiring,” Bugallo said. “After a 20-year break, she returned to academia with remarkable resilience and made important contributions to nanomaterials research. Beyond her technical achievements, she has shared her work with broader communities and is a passionate advocate for STEM education and women in science. It has been a pleasure to support her and watch her grow as a scholar and role model.”
Bilal received several awards during her studies including an Association for Women in Science Career Re-entry Scholarship (2022), Clean Energy Technology Transfer Fellowship (2023), People’s Choice Award at the Three-Minute Thesis Competition (2024), Center for Inclusive Education Scholar (2024), and Armstrong Award for Excellence in Research and Highest GPA (2025). She graduated with a GPA of 4.0.
“These were more than awards to me,” said Bilal. “They were a reflection of healing, purpose, and the strength it takes to return after being away.”
Boscoboinik highlighted Bilal’s leadership roles outside lab work: “She served as chair of our facility’s Users Executive Committee, helped organize workshops for undergraduates, and has remained deeply committed to mentorship. She is currently mentoring a team of students who are working to commercialize the noble gas trapping technology she helped develop.”
Bilal credited family support—including parents who encouraged her early interest in engineering—as crucial throughout this process: “Pursuing engineering as a woman in Pakistan wasn’t common at the time, but my father supported me wholeheartedly until his passing,” she said.
Professors Emre Salman, Leon Shterengas, Sergey Suchalkin, Vera Gorfinkel—all from Stony Brook’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering—were cited by Bilal as key contributors along with ongoing encouragement from immediate family members.
“It’s never too late to begin again,” Bilal said about resuming long-paused ambitions.
Currently serving as fellow at Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Center for Functional Nanomaterials where she leads commercialization efforts related to nanocage-based materials developed during her PhD research, Bilal continues seeking postdoctoral opportunities while focusing on positions at Stony Brook University due partly to personal reasons: “My eldest daughter is joining SBU this fall as an Honors Scholar,” she noted.
