Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to present my graduate research at the Graduate Research Symposium, where I shared my work on tuning electrostatic interactions in biopharmaceutical formulations designed to improve how drugs cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB).

The BBB is a natural protective shield that prevents harmful substances from entering the brain. Unfortunately, it also blocks many therapeutic molecules, including those that could help treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. My research explored how modifying the surface charge of nanoemulsion droplets could enhance their ability to pass through this barrier safely and effectively. By fine-tuning the electrostatic interactions between particles and biological membranes, I aimed to develop a more efficient system for targeted brain delivery.

What made this project so exciting for me was how it blended science, design, and innovation. My background in product design has trained me to think in systems — to look at how small design decisions affect overall function and user outcomes. Applying that same mindset to pharmaceutical formulation allowed me to approach the problem creatively. Each variable — droplet size, charge, surfactant balance, stability — became a design parameter that could be adjusted to create a better “product,” in this case, a potential drug delivery system.

Conducting this research was a lesson in patience, curiosity, and precision. I spent months adjusting formulation ratios, running zeta potential analyses, and studying how charge changes influenced emulsion stability. There were challenges and setbacks, of course, but every iteration taught me something new about how to bring a scientific concept closer to real-world application.

When I presented my findings, my goal was not just to share results but to tell a story — one that connected the science to its broader human purpose. I wanted people in the audience, even those outside the pharmaceutical field, to understand how a small shift in molecular behavior could someday help patients with Alzheimer’s. Communicating those connections through visuals, clear language, and thoughtful analogies was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.

The symposium reminded me that science and design share the same foundation: both are about solving problems and improving lives. This project deepened my commitment to bridging the two fields, using data-driven design to make research more accessible, collaborative, and impactful.

Presenting this work wasn’t just an academic milestone; it reaffirmed why I’m passionate about what I do. I want to keep exploring how thoughtful design can accelerate innovation in biopharma and life sciences, and how collaboration across disciplines can bring us closer to solving challenges like Alzheimer’s disease.