Originally from Southern California, Payal moved to New York City to study at Parsons, The New School for Design.

As a recent graduate with a degree in Environmental Studies and concentrations in Sustainable and Service Design, she hopes to apply her knowledge towards creating a healthier future.

During her studies, she collaborated with health care institutions Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and NYU Tisch Medical Center in attempts to improve health care services. She has also interned with the Lower East Side Ecology Center acting as a sustainable consultant for local businesses in New York City. These experiences have instilled a deep passion to utilize design methods to increase well-being and improve ways of life.

In her free time, Payal enjoys to classical Indian dance, Bharat Natyum. She also participates as an active member of the Tarsadia Foundation, which has given her opportunities to work with organizations in Peru and Southern India.