Meet Naomi De Hart, Ph.D.

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Naomi De Hart, Ph.D.. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Naomi below.

Naomi, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

Growing up in the Netherlands, my mom showed my brother and me what true work ethic looks like. We were given every opportunity we could have wished for because of the effort she put in every single day. I come from a family that deeply values education and personal growth.
After having my mom and uncle, my grandfather went back to school to earn master’s degrees in history and geography. In the 1970s, while teaching high school, he started a nationwide program designed to help mothers and other adults return to school and earn their high school diplomas. By offering daytime classes that accommodated adult schedules, the program opened life-changing opportunities for people who otherwise would not have been able to complete their education.
My mom grew up watching her father’s example, balancing family and ambition, and followed in his academic-focused footsteps. She earned her bachelor’s degree and then went on to law school. She built a career in the legal field, becoming a prosecutor, then a judge, and ultimately serving on one of the High Courts/State Supreme Courts in our country.
Her example, demonstrating that hard work and determination can break barriers, especially as a woman in a male-dominated profession, has always guided me. It shaped my understanding of what is possible and instilled in me the same drive and work ethic that fuels me to this day.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My dad played tennis growing up, so naturally, I wanted to be like him and play with my older brother. The moment I stepped onto a tennis court, I was sold. I loved the sport immediately, connected with my coaches, and embraced the mental and physical challenges it presented. For me, a challenge has always been a challenge in and of itself. Even if there’s only a 1% chance of something working out, I believe that 1% is worth pursuing.
That mindset opened many doors, one of them being college tennis. At 17, I moved from the Netherlands to the United States to play Division I collegiate tennis at Boise State University. It was a major culture shock, and adapting to life in a new country was not easy, especially with my family so far away and an 8-hour time difference. But over time, I learned how to be an adult, and more importantly, how to be an adult in a completely new environment.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science, and inspired by the academic paths of my mother and grandfather, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in Nutrition and Integrative Physiology at the University of Utah. A year and a half in, I saw an opportunity to transition into a Ph.D. program, and in line with my philosophy of taking on challenges, I seized it and completed my doctorate by the age of 26.
My Ph.D. research focused on muscle physiology, specifically how dairy-derived peptides and proteins affect muscle growth, inflammation, and whole-body metabolism. Armed with this knowledge, I began applying for jobs after graduation and ultimately accepted a position at ARUP Laboratories in their research and development department. My work primarily involves developing and improving genetic tests, particularly those targeting hereditary disorders and cancer-related genes.
Once again, I found myself in an unfamiliar territory, working outside my comfort zone. But I welcomed the challenge. I am incredibly grateful that I get to contribute to science and work on something bigger than myself every single day.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Positivity is greater than anything
This ties directly into my belief that anything is possible. Life comes with setbacks, and nothing ever unfolds perfectly. But many things can be perfectly imperfect. Staying positive through challenges, believing even when the odds are slim, has been one of the most powerful tools in my journey. With the right mindset, I truly believe you can achieve things you never thought possible.

Be confident, yet humble
Confidence in my abilities did not come naturally to me. I had to learn how to love myself, recognize my strengths, and trust in my ability to grow and adapt. Over time, I became proud of what I have achieved and optimistic about what lies ahead. That said, I have always tried to remain humble. I know I am smart, athletic, kind, and generous, but I also know there are many people out there who are more of all those things. That awareness keeps me grounded and grateful.

Stay true to yourself
This has never felt more important than it has in the past year. While I am lucky to have an incredible support system, I have come to realize that the one person you live with every moment of every day is yourself. Learning to trust myself, to stay aligned with my own values and beliefs, and to be there for myself through the ups and downs has brought a sense of peace and strength I had not known before. When you can count on yourself, you are never truly alone, and everything will, eventually, be okay.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

In the past year, the biggest area of growth for me has been learning to fully rely on myself and push beyond my comfort zone by taking on new challenges. It is easy to stay in familiar routines and feel like you are going through the motions, but real growth happens when you lean into discomfort and take leaps of faith, even when they are a little scary.
Coming from a tennis background, I used to look down on pickleball, seeing it as a second-tier version of the sport I loved. Initially, I thought, “I’ve played tennis my whole life; this should be easy.” But what started as a casual interest quickly evolved into a serious commitment. In the last couple of months, I have started focusing on the areas of the game that did not come naturally to me and developing the discipline it takes to truly compete. I am now preparing to play in my first pro pickleball tournament next month, and I cannot wait to see where this new path takes me.
This experience has reminded me of the importance of staying open to new opportunities, embracing challenges, and trusting that stepping outside of what is familiar can lead to incredible personal growth. I have always envisioned a life full of adventure and leaps of faith, and this is just one of many.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @naomideh
• Linkedin: Naomi de Hart, Ph.D.