As we celebrate the Class of 2025, we shine the spotlight on one of our graduating master’s students, Sudeekshna Vijayaraghavan whose passion for railway systems is propelling her toward a future of impactful innovation.
Having just completed her MSc in Rail, Transport, and Logistics, she is already taking the next step, embarking on a PhD journey at TUM Asia to transform how cities maintain and manage their railway infrastructure.
Her master’s thesis laid the groundwork for her current research, which focuses on developing a train-based monitoring system that uses vibration signals to detect defects in metro railway tracks. By analysing data collected from sensors on in-service trains, she is building a predictive maintenance framework that helps metro operators catch early signs of issues like rail corrugation and surface wear before they escalate into service disruptions.
“Urban rail systems are under constant pressure to stay reliable while reducing maintenance costs. I wanted to find a way to support that mission using smarter, data-driven tools.”
Her fascination with railway systems began during her studies at TUM Asia, where she found herself drawn to the intersection of civil engineering, transport operations, and logistics. An internship and master’s thesis in rail engineering solidified her passion, and that momentum has carried her straight into PhD-level research.
As part of a joint supervision programme between TUM and NTU, her PhD journey now connects her with researchers across continents, giving her the opportunity to explore smart mobility from both global and local perspectives.
“The most rewarding part so far has been the chance to engage with researchers and mentors from different institutions. It’s helped me see challenges from new angles and made the experience more collaborative and inspiring.”
Her long-term goal? To become a professor, combining her technical expertise with a deep commitment to teaching and innovation. She envisions an academic path where knowledge-sharing and cross-disciplinary collaboration spark new breakthroughs in sustainable transport.
“Teaching isn’t just about delivering information, it’s about exploring ideas together. I hope to guide students the way my mentors have guided me.”
Outside of research, she finds joy and balance in nature, movement, and cooking. Whether she’s hiking through MacRitchie Reservoir, cycling along the Rail Corridor, or preparing a home-cooked vegetarian feast, she brings the same intentionality to life that she brings to her work.
“During COVID, I once recreated a full 20-dish meal just for myself because I missed my favourite restaurant. Cooking is my creative outlet and my way of recharging.”
Books like The Alchemist and Who Moved My Cheese? have shaped her mindset, encouraging resilience, adaptability, and trust in the journey.
As she steps out of her master’s programme and into doctoral research, she brings with her a bold vision: smarter, safer, and more sustainable railway systems for the cities of tomorrow.
Congratulations to this outstanding member of the Class of 2025 and here’s to the next chapter of making a difference, one rail at a time.
Learn more about Sudeekshna Vijayaraghavan’s profile as the PhD Researcher at TUM Asia.
