I am a biomedical engineering PhD student at Syracuse University, passionate about leveraging my expertise in biomaterials and drug delivery to advance controlled and targeted therapies for regenerative medicine and immunoengineering applications. Particularly, my research focuses on designing immunomodulatory drug delivery systems, including pH-responsive nanoparticles and microparticles, to target macrophage cells, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain in osteoarthritis treatment. As the leading cause of disability in the United States, osteoarthritis affects over 30 million Americans, underscoring the urgent need for innovative therapeutic solutions. Beyond my scientific pursuits, I am a lover of medical writing, an enthusiast of poetry, and a devotee of outreach and volunteering activities that promote personal and professional development. My inspiration is driven by the inherent desire to give back and pay forward the lessons learned throughout my journey. This commitment to "lifting others as I climb" has shaped my role as a graduate mentor, where I actively support and inspire the next generation of scientists to help build a more inclusive future in STEM. To date, I have mentored over 10 students—60% of whom are women and half from underrepresented racial backgrounds.