Sara Chaves, a Bioengineering graduate from the University of Porto, transitioned to research in 2021 as part of the ECM_INK project at the University of Minho's Institute of Biomedical Engineering (I3Bs). Since then, she has been focused on creating precise 3D diseased skin tissue models and exploring immune cell response. Awarded the FCT doctoral scholarship in 2022, Sara pursues her Ph.D. in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at I3Bs. Her doctoral project, titled ‘Exploring stromal and immune cell axis in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression,’ reflects her deep commitment to cancer biology research and the pursuit of groundbreaking discoveries. Sara's scientific journey began with enriching internships at REQUIMTE and i3S, where she contributed to novel molecule design and biomaterial development for cancer research. Her dissertation project, focused on unraveling endothelial cell dynamics within bioengineered 3D breast tumor models, culminated in a published research article, underscoring her aptitude for rigorous scientific inquiry. Hailing from a small town, Sara has always been deeply connected to her local community. Her passion for community engagement and scientific outreach is evident in her volunteer work at a local Social Center and her active involvement as a member of the Organizing Committee for the Symposium on Bioengineering. Currently, Sara also dedicates her time to Pint of Science Guimarães, furthering her mission to bridge the gap between scientific research and the general public.