Nabiha Saklayen, PhD •  Biotech Entrepreneur

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I am a

BIOTECH ENTREPRENEUR

Nabiha Saklayen, PhD

Presented by 
Superhuman Body + IF/THEN

MY PATH

how i became a foodie, advocate, and Biotech Entrepreneur.

MAJOR INFLUENCES

  • My Grandmother

    After my grandmother passed away from diabetes complications, I knew I wanted my research and inventions to have real world applications. I want to be part of saving lives.

  • My Mother

    My mom was the first woman in her family to attend college. She didn’t push, leaving me room to explore what I was curious about. “You can do whatever you put your mind to.” That was my mom's mantra. I love her. She's awesome.

  • Global Influences

    I grew up living in countries across Asia and Europe, and was exposed to a variety of different ways of thinking. It shaped my perspective and taught me to appreciate thinking outside of one set of norms, which is also how I approach science.

  • Being Challenged

    When I started at a particularly competitive school, it pushed me to find out what I was really capable of. If it hadn’t been so hard, I may never have found out what I could do.

Break boundaries to craft your own purpose.

By the time I was 18, I’d lived in four countries across three continents and spoke several languages. Those experiences taught me to see the world through many lenses. This same mindset has guided by path in science—whether it’s blending physics with biology or incorporating machine learning into new technologies. The most exciting solutions don’t fit neatly into boxes, because real challenges rarely do.

Major Milestones

Colombo International School

I attended a prestigious international school where I was able to push myself academically and pursue international accolades.

Emory University

I earned a full scholarship to attend college in the US, an opportunity that my family may not have otherwise been able to afford. It’s where I fell in love with physics and research.

Harvard University

While getting my PhD in physics, I patented a new laser technology and began exploring its applications in biology, which opened up new doors.

Cellino Biotech

I co-founded a startup based on the technology my team developed in grad school.

Things I learned

along the way:

  • It takes a lot of hard work to reach your potential.

    There’s no shortcut to success—building something meaningful requires persistence. Some of my biggest breakthroughs came after months of trial and error in the lab. It’s not always easy, but learning to embrace the process is key. Every challenge is part of the journey, and what matters most is showing up, trying again, and giving your best effort. That’s how real growth happens.

  • Creativity is integral to the sciences.

    Science isn’t just about following formulas—it’s about thinking beyond them. The best solutions come when you’re willing to experiment, explore, and try new things. Physics, biology, and even entrepreneurship all require imagination. Developing my artistic side and leaning into my own creativity was both an outlet for me, and a powerful tool. It helps me connect ideas that seem unrelated and find new approaches to solve complex problems. Plus, it makes everything a lot more fun and interesting!

  • Some phases will be harder than others.

    There have been times when life felt grueling—where it was just about getting through the day—and others that felt joyful and full of momentum. There are seasons when work takes center stage, and others when family becomes the priority. It shifts, and that’s okay. What I’ve learned is that every phase has its own purpose, and the key is to find joy in each chapter.

  • Finding the right people to work with is everything.

    Building something meaningful takes a great team. My co-founders, mentors, and colleagues have been essential to everything we’ve achieved at Cellino. But it’s not just about surrounding yourself with brilliant people—it’s about finding the ones who share your values, challenge you to grow, and are committed to the mission. It’s also important to give yourself permission to walk away from relationships that aren’t working.

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PHOTOGRAPHER: Erica Derrickson • Illustrator: Nicole Medina

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