We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Isabella Altilio a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Isabella, thanks for taking the time to share your lessons with our community today. So, let’s jump right in – one of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. Where does your self-discipline come from?
Since a very young age, I have been actively involved in extracurricular activities like dance, swimming, and gymnastics. Balancing these commitments with my academic responsibilities taught me early on how to manage my time effectively and prioritize my tasks. I believe my self-discipline is largely rooted in how I was raised — my parents made sure I was exposed to different responsibilities from a young age, encouraging me to be reliable and to follow through on all of my commitments. Over time, this practice of organizing my time and consistently showing up — whether someone was watching or not — has deeply shaped how I approach my personal and professional life today.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Isabella Altilio. I was born and raised in Venezuela and have built my professional career in the United States. I’m currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology at the University of Miami, where my research focuses on innovative approaches to treating diabetes — specifically beta-cell regeneration.
One of my proudest achievements has been the publication of a study in Cell Metabolism, where we identified populations of cells with progenitor-like characteristics in the pancreas, offering exciting new possibilities for regenerative therapies. I also collaborated on developing a novel “slice-on-a-chip” technique, published in Lab on a Chip, which allows for real-time observation of pancreatic tissue responses to regenerative stimuli.
Beyond publications, one of my favorite moments in my career is presenting my studies and data at conferences and seminars. Sharing my work with the broader scientific community, engaging in discussions, and learning from other researchers deeply inspires and motivates me.
In addition to my academic and scientific pursuits, I serve as Executive Vice President of Communications and Content Strategy at Nucleate, a global nonprofit that empowers emerging biotech leaders. In this role, I lead content creation across over 42 regions, helping amplify scientific outreach and foster community engagement. I’m also committed to growing the Florida biotech ecosystem through my leadership role at Nucleate Florida.
Moreover, I am part of the Smart Door Solutions team as the Head of Scientific Research. At Smart Door Solutions, we are developing innovative technology to assist people with mobility challenges in opening doors in their daily lives. Our team has been honored with several Catalyzer Awards that have helped us advance our startup, and more recently, we were selected to be part of the USTAAR cohort at the University of Miami, where we received a $10,000 grant to further develop and refine our solution.
What excites me most is the ability to bridge groundbreaking science with leadership and strategic communication, creating a broader impact by making research and innovation more accessible and practical for the real world.
Currently, I’m working on two new manuscripts (already submitted) that further explore regenerative medicine techniques, and I’m excited about the continued expansion of my leadership work at Nucleate into new regions.
I truly believe that combining scientific excellence, entrepreneurial vision, and strong community-building efforts is key to advancing global health solutions and empowering the next generation of innovators.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I would say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been commitment, reliability and passion, and openness to learning new things.
One piece of advice I would give to those early in their journey is to always stay open-minded and proactive about developing new skills, even outside your immediate area of focus. You never know what the future holds, so it’s important to be prepared for a variety of scenarios. New opportunities often arise unexpectedly, and instead of looking back with regret, you’ll be ready because of the work you put in early on to build a broad and versatile skill set.
I also encourage you to explore areas that may not seem directly related to your daily work. For example, as a Ph.D. student, most of my time is spent doing hands-on laboratory research. However, when I joined Nucleate as a communications strategist, I stepped outside my scientific comfort zone and developed an entirely new set of skills — from strategic communications to leadership and community building — that have now become incredibly valuable in ways I could not have predicted.
Be curious, say yes to new experiences, and invest in growth even when it feels outside of your immediate career track — you’ll thank yourself later.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Over the past year, one of my biggest areas of personal and professional growth has been learning to let go of the need to control every aspect of a project and truly trust in the power of collaboration.
Growing up, especially during high school group projects, I often took it upon myself to do everything — not because I didn’t value my teammates, but because I believed it was the only way to guarantee the work would meet a certain standard. I thought it was easier to shoulder the entire load myself.
However, real life — especially in science and leadership — taught me something far more important: success is never achieved alone. Progress, innovation, and meaningful impact happen when you trust others, allow different strengths to emerge, and create space for shared ownership.
I’ve learned that it’s okay if not every detail is perfect in my eyes; what matters more is building a strong team that works toward a common goal. And sometimes, the best outcomes come from the unexpected — just like in science, where surprises often lead to breakthroughs.
Embracing this mindset has not only made me a better collaborator and leader but has also brought a deeper sense of joy and resilience to my journey.
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