My passion for science ignited during my childhood. I vividly remember setting up a miniature lab in my bedroom that consisted of a light microscope, glass slides, a few petri dishes, and plastic pipettes, all gifted to me by my parents on an unforgettable Christmas when I was 11 years old. I remember meticulously preparing slides from specimens I collected outdoors and within our home's confines. Peering through the lens of my microscope, I'd lose myself in the imagination of groundbreaking discoveries waiting to be uncovered. Even at that tender age, I sensed that my insatiable curiosity, boundless creativity, and budding intellect were the seeds of my future as a scientist. Looking back, I am deeply humbled by the remarkable journey I've undertaken in my career. From those early days in my makeshift lab, I have evolved into a professor, constantly pushing the frontiers of science. Each day, I am grateful for the privilege of advancing the bioengineering field and nurturing and guiding the next generation of aspiring scientists.