The bridge between science, service and spirituality
By Dr. Kuldeep Mistry | TLT Volunteer's Voice April 2026
What started as academic curiosity evolved into a calling.
When I think about my years with STLE, the first word that comes to mind isn’t
tribology, it’s
connection. Behind every conference badge, technical paper and committee meeting, there’s a heartbeat—a person giving their time, curiosity and care to move our field forward.
My own STLE story began nearly two decades ago, not as a board member or speaker, but as a curious graduate student (of The University of Leeds) eager to learn how lubricants influence reliability, efficiency and innovation. Inspired by my father, Prof. Kishore N. Mistry (now retired), who also studied tribology at Leeds, I followed in his footsteps. A course in engine tribology in 2004 sparked my interest, and a doctoral opportunity in 2006, sponsored by ExxonMobil and guided by Prof. Anne Neville and Prof. Ardian Morina, cemented my passion. My research focused on the tribochemistry of diamond-like carbon coatings under extreme pressure in gears.
What started as academic curiosity evolved into a calling. I joined STLE committees, volunteered for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) outreach and took on leadership roles, including section leader, technical contributor and STLE Board of Directors member. I’m leading the Outreach Group and previously led the Communications & Advocacy Strategy and Surveillance Team. Yet, I still see myself as a student—of science and of people.
Looking back, I realize that every “yes” was part of something larger. Chairing a session taught me confidence. Mentoring a student revealed the spark of the next generation. Revitalizing a local section showed me that leadership is less about titles and more about listening. Each role became a gear in a larger system, a tribological ecosystem where passion, purpose and perseverance reduce life’s friction.
One of my proudest moments was helping revitalize the STLE Canton Section back in 2015. What started as a small local effort became a model for how volunteer energy can breathe life into entire regions, and the STLE Canton Section was rewarded by three STLE Outstanding Section Awards (2016, 2017 and 2019) in four years. Later, through STLE’s Communications & Advocacy and Section Affairs teams, I witnessed the power of collaboration—fellow board members, volunteers and staff uniting to elevate how we communicate our value, reach students and spotlight the brilliance of tribologists across industries.
STLE thrives because of these unsung connectors—volunteers who bridge labs and classrooms, companies and communities, science and society. They are the lubricants that keep our collective machinery running.
To new members and students, I say: don’t wait to feel ready. Get involved early. Every committee, volunteering act, section activity, podcast, article and STEM event is a chance to leave a mark. Volunteering isn’t about adding more to your plate; it’s about filling your life with purpose.
My motivation comes not from recognition, but reflection. In giving time, we gain perspective. In mentoring, we rediscover ourselves. My spirituality, family and faith are central to who I am. My wife, Sweta, and our sons, Hrehaan and Kushaan, inspire me daily. We share a deep commitment to education and purpose. For me, harmony comes from a place of gratitude and a focus on my purpose. I try to make a conscious effort not to compartmentalize my career, family and faith, but to weave them into a cohesive whole. Whether I’m leading activity with developing a lubricant formulation or simply spending time with my family, I strive to align with my core values of kindness, curiosity, connection and humility.
Looking ahead, as I continue serving STLE, my vision is to nurture
integration: connecting technical excellence with personal growth, career advancement with community well-being and science with spirituality. Because when we serve with intention—balancing mind, heart and purpose—we create sustainable motion not only in machines, but in people.
To every STLE volunteer, student and professional reading this, thank you for keeping our society vibrant, visionary and human. The future of tribology isn’t just in cleaner engines or smarter lubricants—it’s in the connected hearts and hands of those who make this field more than just a profession.
Together, we perfect motion, in technology, in community and in spirit.
Dr. Kuldeep Mistry is lead research scientist (tribologist) at Chevron Oronite. You can reach him at kuldeep.mistry@chevron.com.