Dr. Eng. Ved Prakash Dubey from the Department of Experimental Mechanics has been selected as a recipient of the START 2026 Scholarship, one of the most prestigious distinctions for young researchers in Poland.
The START program, organized by the Foundation for Polish Science (Fundacja na rzecz Nauki Polskiej – FNP), recognizes the 100 most outstanding young scientists (up to 30 years of age) for their exceptional scientific achievements and potential for further research development. Established in 1993, it is the oldest scholarship program for young researchers in Poland. The 2026 edition marked the 34th awarding of the scholarship. The recipients were selected through a rigorous multi-stage evaluation based on their scientific accomplishments. The official award ceremony took place on 13 June 2026 at the historic Wawel Royal Castle in Kraków, where the laureates received their diplomas.
Photos: Presentation of the START 2026 diploma to Dr. Eng. Ved Prakash Dubey at the Wawel Royal Castle, Kraków. Pictured 2 (from left): Prof. Krzysztof Pyrć, President of the Foundation for Polish Science; Dr. Eng. Ved Prakash Dubey; and Dr. Anna Plater-Zyberk, Vice-President of the Foundation for Polish Science. fot.Konrad Obidzinski. Archiwum FNP
Dr. Eng. Ved Prakash Dubey obtained his PhD with distinction from the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences (IPPT PAN), for his dissertation entitled "Yield Surface Identification of Functional Materials and Its Evolution Reflecting Deformation History under Complex Loadings." His doctoral research was supervised by prof. dr hab. Zbigniew Kowalewski, with Assoc. Prof. Mateusz Kopeć serving as auxiliary supervisor.
His research focuses on understanding the mechanical behaviour of engineering materials under complex loading conditions and multiaxial stress states. Through advanced experimental investigations, he studies the effects of plastic pre-deformation, cyclic loading and yield surface evolution in both conventionally manufactured and additively manufactured materials. His work has involved commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti), commercially pure copper (CP-Cu), Ti–Cu bimetals, and LPBF-fabricated stainless steel 316L, providing valuable insights into anisotropic plastic behaviour and strain-hardening mechanisms. By combining experimental mechanics with practical engineering applications, his research contributes to the development of advanced constitutive models, improved failure criteria and more reliable structural integrity assessment of engineering materials, supporting the design of safer and more efficient engineering structures.
More information about the competition on the organizer's website:
https://fnp.org.pl/aktualnosci/stypendia-start-2026-wreczone.
