Pranav Acharya is a PhD student researching the mechanical and microstructural behavior of Cu- containing steel rods to advance sustainable steel recycling. His focus is on understanding how copper content and heat treatment influence the performance of steel in high-demand applications, such as tire production. Using mechanical testing and microscopic analysis, he studies Cu sensitization along grain boundaries and its effects on strength, ductility, and toughness. His aim is to develop optimized heat treatments to improve the mechanical properties of recycled steel, contributing to industry efforts for sustainable, low-carbon materials. Additionally, he is exploring how these mechanical tests can be simulated through finite element modeling, enhancing the approach to evaluating steel properties.