Erica Ely

Background

About Erica Ely

I am a motivated Ph.D. Candidate in Biomedical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, exploring the intricate relationship between obesity-associated inflammation and osteoarthritis progression. Fueled by a National Institute of Health F31 Fellowship, I have presented my research at top international conferences and contributed to impactful publications. In my role as Co-President at The BALSA Group, I lead a 100-person company, where I've negotiated and managed 29 projects and generated over in revenue. As the Director of Marketing, I drove a 20% growth in company size through strategic networking events and recruitment sessions. My Ph.D. work involves in-depth studies on obesity and osteoarthritis, utilizing in vitro and in vivo models. As a former Division 1 college lacrosse player, my passion in science is researching and developing cell and gene therapies for ACL tears and osteoarthritis to help athletes recover faster and compete harder following serious injuries. Alongside my research, I coach lacrosse, mentor players, and organize outreach programs for women in orthopedic surgery and engineering. Currently, I am actively seeking opportunities in management and strategy consulting where I can leverage my diverse skill set and leadership experience.