joined the THREAD project in June 2020
My name is Ergys Çokaj and I come from Albania. I have a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Mathematics and Applications from the University of Camerino in Italy. In the last four years, I have worked on my PhD studies as part of the THREAD project, hosted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Reflecting on my journey with the THREAD project, I realise it has profoundly shaped my academic and professional trajectory. Beyond deepening my understanding of numerical analysis and highly flexible slender structures, THREAD has enriched me with collaborative research experiences, exposing me to diverse scientific approaches and perspectives. THREAD has provided me with advanced research training, transferable skills training and industrial workshops, which contributed to enriching my background as a scientist. The interdisciplinary nature of THREAD, with all the industrial challenges addressed, has prepared me for a possible future both in academia and industry. A highlight of my PhD experience is the direct contact with industry during my internship at TechnipFMC, Lysaker and Kongsberg, Norway, where I worked on subsea systems, see link.
As the end of THREAD approaches, I realise that my guess from two years ago was right: “… I think that when THREAD finishes, we will realise how much it has given to us … “, see link. I am indeed enormously grateful for being given the opportunity to grow professionally and personally with THREAD.
To know more about my career and research, check the following links: NTNU, GitHub and LinkedIn.
Ergys Çokaj, March 2024