To Meghana, a PhD is more than a degree — it is a platform to advance equity, empower communities, and transform how biomedical research is conducted.

Meghana Kasturi is a PhD student in bioengineering at UM-Dearborn who is committed to bridging engineering and the life sciences to address pressing biomedical challenges. Her research focuses on sex-based differences in lung fibrosis, pioneering the use of sex-specific lung matrices to better understand how male and female tissues respond to therapeutic interventions. By centering inclusivity in experimental design, Meghana seeks to close long-standing gaps in biomedical research and improve health outcomes for women.

Meghana’s advocacy extends beyond the lab. An active member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), she leads outreach to inspire young girls in STEM and recently spoke at the POWER Conference on the scientific necessity of sex inclusivity in research. Meghana’s nomination for the Sister Mary Ambrosia Fitzgerald Award by Women in Science and Engineering reflects her dedication to mentoring and building supportive, equitable spaces in STEM.

Meghana’s journey is defined by persistence. Growing up across India and later studying in China, the UK, and now the U.S., she navigated cultural transitions, financial challenges, and academic setbacks with resilience. These experiences deepened her appreciation for cross-cultural perspectives in science and reinforced her commitment to equity in research.

After her time at U-M, Meghana envisions leading a lab at the intersection of tissue engineering, cancer biology, and translational medicine, while influencing policy and publishing standards to adopt inclusive practices. For her, equitable science is not only ethical but essential for innovation and impact.

Every experiment, mentorship opportunity, and advocacy effort reflects her belief that science must serve those too often overlooked. To Meghana, a PhD is more than a degree — it is a platform to advance equity, empower communities, and transform how biomedical research is conducted.

CEW+ applauds Meghana’s persistence and contributions to inclusive biomedical research and names her an Irma M. Wyman Scholar.