Meet Mohmmad Shadman Sakib: A Passion for Sustainable Packaging Solutions

Mohmmad Shadman Sakib, originally from Bangladesh, is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Sustainable Biomaterials, focusing on Distribution Packaging, at Virginia Tech. He plans to graduate in May 2026.

Before joining Virginia Tech, Sakib lived in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, with his parents and two younger siblings. His sister is studying dentistry, while his brother is an engineering student. Sakib attended Dhaka Residential Model College, one of the top schools in Bangladesh, and later earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the Islamic University of Technology. Reflecting on his life in Dhaka, he says, “Before coming to VT, I lived with my parents in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, where I spent most of my life and completed my schooling.”

Outside the classroom, Sakib enjoys exploring the scenic landscapes and hiking trails around Blacksburg. He has a lifelong passion for robotics and music and identifies as an ambivert. “Although I am a bit reserved in new environments, I enjoy connecting with people who share similar interests. Outside of class, I enjoy exploring Blacksburg's beautiful landscapes and hiking trails.” he shares.

Sakib chose Virginia Tech for its strong academic reputation in packaging, supply chain, and biomaterials, particularly within the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials. After working in Bangladesh’s supply chain industry, he sought more education in order to better contribute to this sector, which led him to Virginia Tech. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the global importance of efficient supply chains, sparking his interest in researching the resilience and optimization of these systems.

“Prior to pursuing my Master's, I spent much of my professional career working in supply chain industries in Bangladesh. During that time, I realized that while I had acquired practical experience, I needed a deeper understanding and specialization to contribute meaningfully to this sector. The supply chain’s impact on global economies, especially in light of disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic, sparked my interest in further exploring the efficiency and optimization of this vital industry. I found the challenge of maintaining resilience and efficiency in supply chains during unforeseen events both fascinating and essential to the modern world.” Sakib said.

Sakib connected with Dr. Laszlo Horvath, whose research on packaging systems and pallets inspired him to apply to Virginia Tech. “I was drawn to Virginia Tech for its academic excellence and the opportunity to work with experts in the field. I had the chance to connect with Dr. Laszlo Horvath, whose research aligns with my interests. Dr. Horvath's work in material behavior, particularly in packaging systems and pallets, inspired me to apply. The Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, being a top program in this domain, offered exactly the kind of academic environment I was looking for to expand my knowledge and research skills.” he notes.

His current research centers on the material characteristics of pallets, particularly their creep behavior. He aims to develop predictive models to improve pallet design and sustainability, focusing on wooden and composite plastic pallets made from High-Density Polyethylene and Polypropylene. “My research topic revolves around the material characteristics of pallets, particularly studying their creep behavior. I find this topic compelling because pallets play a critical role in global supply chains, and any improvements in their design and performance could have a significant impact on efficiency, cost reduction, and sustainability,” Sakib explains.

Sakib’s research explores the performance of pallets over time, aiming to create a model that predicts long-term behavior based on short-term testing. By developing a model that can predict performance from brief tests, Sakib’s work could reduce testing times and costs. “Specifically, I am interested in developing models to predict pallet performance over time, based on short-term data, rather than relying on the current ISO and ASTM standards that require extended testing periods (24-48 hours) and often result in the destruction of the pallet during testing. By focusing on wooden and composite plastic pallets made from High-Density Polyethylene or Polypropylene, my goal is to help industries optimize pallet use, cut down on time and resources, and enhance the overall sustainability of material handling.” he says.

“What truly drives my passion for this research is the potential for real-world applications and improvements in the logistics industry. I believe that by contributing to the advancement of pallet standardization and testing, I can help industries reduce costs and improve supply chain efficiency, which in turn could have far-reaching benefits across various sectors. Looking forward, my ultimate goal is to return to the supply chain and logistics industries, armed with a deeper understanding of sustainable materials and advanced research skills, to help improve material handling systems and further contribute to the optimization of supply chains worldwide.”

Sakib plans to continue his education by pursuing a PhD in packaging systems and sustainable biomaterials. He hopes to eventually work in industries focused on packaging and supply chain optimization, contributing to projects that make supply chains more sustainable and efficient. “My goal is to deepen my research and expertise before fully entering the industry.”

“I don’t have a job lined up just yet because I want to continue my studies,” he shares. “In the future, I hope to work in industries focused on packaging and supply chain optimization, particularly in areas related to material efficiency and sustainability. I envision myself working on projects that involve improving packaging systems, developing eco-friendly materials, and enhancing logistics processes to make supply chains more efficient. My daily activities would likely include conducting research, developing models, collaborating with engineers and material scientists, and working on the implementation of cutting-edge technologies in real-world applications. Ultimately, I want to contribute to innovations that make supply chains more sustainable and efficient.”

The hands-on experiences at the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design (CPULD) have already been a significant part of Sakib’s time at Virginia Tech. “The most helpful knowledge and skills I’ve gained through my classes and work at CPULD have been directly related to hands-on practices and standardization techniques.” Sakib shares, “The detailed knowledge from my coursework is providing a solid foundation to become an expert in the field of packaging and material handling systems. However, the opportunity to work as a lab technician at CPULD has been one of the best parts of my graduate experience,” he shared.

“The best part of my time here at Virginia Tech has been the hands-on experience and collaborative learning environment. Working in the CPULD lab with industry-standard equipment, alongside passionate researchers has been incredibly rewarding. The opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, especially in packaging systems and material testing, has been invaluable. It has allowed me to engage with current industry practices, conduct standardized tests firsthand, and collaborate with experts in the field.”

“The most helpful thing I’ve learned here is how to bridge the gap between academic research and industry practices. I’d encourage future students to focus on understanding both the theoretical foundations and their practical applications. Being able to directly contribute to projects that impact industry practices has been a key learning experience for me, and I believe future students should aim to immerse themselves in both aspects as well.”

Sakib credits the mentorship he’s received from Dr. Horvath and lab manager Nicolas Navarro for helping him grow in both theory and reality. “Learning from Dr. Horvath, lab manager Nicolas Navarro, and my fellow lab mates has been invaluable, as their guidance and expertise have helped me grow in both theoretical knowledge and practical applications. This combination of classwork and real-world experience has been instrumental in shaping my journey and future career path,” he adds.

Sakib believes his education and experiences at Virginia Tech will position him to make meaningful contributions to the packaging and supply chain industries, particularly in his home country of Bangladesh.

“I believe the education and experience I will gain at Virginia Tech will be instrumental in achieving my goals. The research, skills, and network I develop during my time here will position me to make meaningful contributions to the supply chain and packaging industries, particularly in my home country, where there is a growing need for innovation in these fields,” he says.

Sakib’s story reflects a passion for sustainable solutions and a commitment to improving supply chain systems worldwide through innovative research and practical applications. His journey at Virginia Tech is equipping him with the knowledge and skills needed to bring about meaningful change in the field of sustainable biomaterials.