Biomedical PhD Turned Solopreneur

Name: Alda Sabalic (she/her)

PhD: Biomedicine, Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, 2024

What was your main area of research?

In my PhD, I studied two ways the immune system can trigger inflammation: one through tissue damage leading to cellular aging (called "senescence") and the other through the body’s response to viral infections, like the flu.

In cases of tissue damage, some cells stop dividing and release signals that cause inflammation; I used network analysis to identify key genes involved in this process. On the other hand, when there's an infection, cells also respond by releasing signals that trigger inflammation that helps to fight the infection. I developed a mathematical model that allowed us to study how inflammation develops over time and spreads within tissues.

What is your current job?

I am a STEM Communication Consultant in Barcelona, Spain.

I help STEM professionals improve their communication skills. I coach them on how to turn the ideas in their head into clear, easy-to-understand information.

This is especially useful when they’re applying for funding or for career positions where they need to explain their expertise to different audiences who might not understand technical language. I guide them on how to summarize their ideas before they start working on presentations, talks, or writing papers and reports.

The best part of my job is the opportunity to work with STEM professionals that work across different industries and at different positions. I always learn so much from them about the amazing world of science and technology.

How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?

I created this position myself. I always knew I loved teaching - during my PhD, it quickly became one of my favorite parts of the experience.

I learned how to explain complex ideas in a simple way and often became the go-to person for feedback on presentations, talks, and reports. Eventually, I decided to turn this skill into a full-time job.

I knew I didn’t want to stay in active research, but I still wanted to work with STEM professionals and stay close to where new discoveries are happening.

PhD graduate ➡️ STEM Communication Consultant (Solopreneur)

Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?

I chose not to pursue a career in academia because I didn’t like its structure - having to constantly move from one position to another every few years just to stay relevant or to maybe land a permanent role someday. Although I love science, I wasn’t drawn to that kind of career path, so it wasn’t a hard decision for me.

I realized I wanted to stay connected to science but in a way that felt more stable and suited to my strengths.

What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?

My top advice would be this:

Know that you’ll be just fine. Academia often makes us feel like excellence is the only acceptable path, but the truth is, you don’t have to be 100% perfect or completely certain of your next step to keep moving forward.
Remember that a PhD teaches you far more than just doing science. You’re developing a whole set of skills that are incredibly valuable, even though they might feel so routine in academia that you forget they’re even skills.
Many of those skills - like problem-solving, critical thinking, and managing complex projects - are powerful strengths outside of academia, even if they’re taken for granted within it. Embrace them as your superpowers!

Are there any components of your identity you would like to share, including how they have impacted your journey?

I’m very persistent and also very determined. When I see a clear goal, I act quickly — and if it doesn’t work out, I look for a way to solve it and keep moving. I also have a real love for clarity and simplicity. In a way, my current job feels like it’s perfectly tailored to my personality, my pace, my interests, and what I care about most.