Engineering pathways - from Aerospace to Rail
Monash Engineering alumna Dr Panah Fasihi’s career reflects the impact women are making across Australia’s engineering and rail sectors.
After completing a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering, Panah went on to pursue doctoral research that examined new ways to improve the durability and performance of railway assets.
Her PhD was later recognised with the RTSA - The Railway Technical Society of Australasia PhD Thesis Award, acknowledging the technical rigour and industry relevance of her work.
Dr Fasihi explains, “Specifically, my research investigated improving the wear and rolling contact fatigue performance of railway rails through the use of friction modifiers and laser cladding.”
Today, she works as a Test and Commissioning Engineer at Alstom, supporting the delivery of the X’Trapolis 2.0 fleet through documentation, assurance, and customer‑facing technical work.
She says “Rail stood out to me as a discipline because it brings together mechanical, material performance, electrical, operational and human factors.”
Her path into engineering was shaped by a blend of curiosity and capability. “Engineering brings together my interests, drive and skillset, combining logic, creativity, and meaningful impact.”
To women considering a career in engineering she advises "Don't underestimate the value of communication skills; being able to explain technical decisions clearly is just as important as making them...Seek out mentors, ask questions, and embrace opportunities to work across disciplines."
Read the full article Rail Express here.
