Women in Research #LINO75: Tala Kaddoura

Tala from Lebanon is a PhD student at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon.

Her research investigates diabetic kidney disease using an innovative three-dimensional kidney organoid model derived from stem cells. This platform enables the study of diabetes induced kidney injury and dysfunction in a human-based in vitro context. Tala aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving disease progression and to explore potential therapeutic targets for renal regeneration and intervention.

Tala participates in the 75^th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (#LINO75 – Interdisciplinary).

Enjoy the interview with Tala and get inspired:

What inspired you to pursue a career in science / in your discipline?

During my clinical rotations as a PharmD student in hospitals, I realized the growing number of patients living with diabetes and, more painfully, experiencing the long and often irreversible complications it leaves behind. These encounters made me realize that while clinical care is essential, it is not sufficient to change the trajectory of the disease. I began to understand that truly meaningful impact requires going beyond what is visible at the bedside and delving into the molecular and cellular mechanisms that silently drive disease progression over time. This realization gradually shaped my path toward diabetes research, particularly diabetic kidney disease, with a focus on developing more representative experimental models that reflect the human reality of this condition. Ultimately, I was inspired to pursue science as a way to transform clinical encounters into a deeper understanding, and understanding into more hopeful and effective therapeutic possibilities for patients.

Who are your role models?

Ever since I stepped into research, I have been guided by an exceptionally talented Lebanese scientist who approaches science with credibility and integrity. My mentor, Dr. Natalie Youssef, has been a defining influence in shaping both my scientific mindset and my research approach. In a world of countless researchers, it is rare to find a scientist who balances scientific ambition with deep ethical responsibility.

She has taught me far beyond technical skills: how to think outside the box, how to dream, how to be independent, and how to trust my own capabilities. She has instilled in me the confidence that women mostly lack in research environments, encouraging me to trust my voice, ideas, and recognize my potential as a scientist.

With her, I understood the importance of loyalty to one’s values, to one’s work, and to the people and purpose one chooses to commit to. She helped me find meaning and assurance in every outcome, trusting that each result carries purpose even when it is not immediately clear, and to place faith in God’s plan, which often unfolds in ways greater than our own.

Through her mentorship, I have learned to prioritize depth over speed, to seek solutions despite the constraints we, as Lebanese researchers, often face, and to prioritize integrity over convenience, especially in research, where environments are often driven by pressure and outcomes.

She has shown me that circumstances do not define true excellence, but consistency, purpose, and integrity; principles I strive to carry with me throughout my scientific and personal journey.

How did you get to where you are in your career path?

I come from a modest background, where both of my parents, shaped by the hardships of war in their childhood, didn’t have the opportunity for a proper education.

Despite this, they carried a deep determination to give my younger brother and me the education they were deprived of, and worked tirelessly to place us in one of the best schools in our hometown. However, when I graduated from high school, financial hardship became a reality I had to navigate on my own. Yes, it was not easy to carry such a financial burden at only 18! But I chose to take full responsibility for my education with complete commitment. I believed that where there is a will, there is a way, and that personal development should not depend on waiting for ideal circumstances or external support. So I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, where I worked every day of the week to cover my tuition fees, often balancing long hours of work with demanding academic commitments. From the very beginning, I decided that given the significant effort I was investing to finance my education, I felt equally responsible to match that commitment academically. I therefore chose to push myself to consistently rank among the top of my cohort.

Over time, this perseverance allowed me to independently fund a PharmD degree and two master’s degrees, one in professional clinical pharmacy and one in physiological sciences. During my second Master’s at the American University of Beirut, my academic performance was recognized with a scholarship, which marked a meaningful acknowledgement of this long journey of persistence and commitment. Ultimately, I was accepted into a highly competitive, fully funded PhD program, a milestone that represents far more than academic success, reflecting years of resilience, discipline, and a deep commitment to continually pushing beyond limitations.

What is the coolest project you have worked on and why?

Every time I mention “organoids,” people immediately get curious and excited just by the name, and I feel the same way, too. The idea of building a miniature, functional version of human organs in the lab is, in itself, one of the most fascinating concepts in science today. For me, it’s not just about the technical work, but about being part of a field that is recreating human biology in a dish, with the hope of better understanding diseases and discovering new therapeutic approaches.

What’s a time you felt immense pride in yourself / your work?

I felt a strong sense of pride when I realized how far I had come despite the challenges I faced early on in my academic journey. Coming from a background where I had to fully support my own education, being accepted into a highly competitive PhD program was a defining moment that validated years of persistence and hard work. It was not just about the acceptance itself, but about everything it represented: the late nights, the effort, and the decision to never settle for less than excellence despite the circumstances. In that moment, I felt that every step of my journey had meaning, and that I truly built something independently by my own effort.

What is a “day in the life” of you like?

A typical day in my life is a mix of science, sports, and a bit of controlled chaos. I usually start early and head straight to the lab, where my day revolves around completing my to-do list of experiments and lab work. After spending most of my time analyzing data and navigating whatever surprises the lab brings, I shift gears to take care of my mental and physical well-being through sports, whether it’s the gym, horseback riding, swimming, running, or cycling. This balance helps me recharge and reset before doing it all over again the next day.

What are you seeking to accomplish in your career?

Meaningful impact. The only thing I aim to accomplish is to create a meaningful impact through my research work, especially for my Lebanese and Arab community. I want my research to help understand and improve the treatment of diabetes, where I hope to bridge the clinic setting with scientific discovery. More broadly, I hope to build a stronger scientific ecosystem in Lebanon and the Arab region, where research can directly improve patients’ lives.

What do you like to do when you’re not doing research?

I have recently become highly committed to horseback riding. For me, it is much more than just a sport; it is the space that teaches me connection, discipline, and consistency in the most powerful way. Working with horses requires patience, trust, and learning to communicate without control, which constantly reminds me of the importance of trusting the process rather than forcing outcomes. It also demands mental focus and emotional balance, which helps me reset and return to my academic work with greater clarity.

What advice do you have for other women interested in science / in your discipline?

My advice would be to follow their ambitions and never settle for less than what they truly aspire to achieve. Think boldly, dream beyond limitations, and remain consistent in your efforts, even when the path feels uncertain. Opportunities often emerge in unexpected ways, especially when you remain committed to your goals. I have learned that perseverance and belief in one’s potential can turn the most challenging circumstances into milestones. If I were able to pursue this path, I strongly believe any woman with determination and passion can do the same.

In your opinion, what will be the next great breakthrough in science / in your discipline?

One of the next significant breakthroughs in biomedical science will come from the convergence of organoid technology, stem cell biology, and precision medicine. The ability to grow patient-specific organoids that replicate human physiology will transform how we study disease, moving us from traditional models toward truly human-relevant and precise systems. In parallel, advances in artificial intelligence in our field will enable us to better decode the mechanisms of diabetic kidney disease, allowing more accurate disease modeling, diagnosis, and treatment development.

What should be done to increase the number of female scientists and professors?

It is essential to create environments that actively support women throughout every stage of their academic journey. This begins with early undergraduate encouragement and continues through graduate and post-graduate training, with access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and visible female role models in leadership positions. Equally important is fostering inclusive research cultures that value women’s contributions, reduce bias, and provide flexibility for long-term career development. Finally, intentional institutional policies that promote equitable hiring, promotion, and leadership representation are critical for ensuring that talented women not only enter science but advance within it.