Athlete. Engineer. PhD. Founder.

This week on The Konnekt Lab Stories, we meet someone who defies every stereotype and redefines what it means to be multidisciplinary. She’s an accomplished athlete, a PhD-holding engineer, a postdoctoral researcher, and now, a co-founder of a pioneering new product. Juliana's journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of breaking boundaries.

Warm up questions 🔥

If your career was a movie, what would its title be?

Momentum.

Current work anthem (song you’re vibing with)?

A Sky Full of Stars.

Go-to drink to survive a busy day?

Golden Milk.

One word that describes your career so far?

Resilient.

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird.

Best thing about what you do?

To feel that what I do can have a real impact.

Favorite way to recharge outside of work?

Sport.

Secret skill or hobby most people don’t know about?

Cooking.

Most used emoji when texting about work?

🤪

Most inspiring place you’ve ever worked from?

In a coworking space with a group of passionate people.

Let’s dive in! 🏄

When did you realize you were good at what you do? 

It depends. As a teacher, when I was in high school, I was always teaching my friends. As a coach, it was the same, and as an entrepreneur in high school, I started selling candies and doing homework for other students. As a food engineer, I always loved food. 

Tell us about a professional risk you took — and what happened after.

Now, as entrepreneurs, we have made a big investment. We don’t know what’s going to happen. 😕

What’s something about your job (or your path) that people completely misunderstand?

Sports. People don’t understand why I participate in so many sports and competitions. Also, how I can work in different places and why I continue studying.

What’s a ‘small win’ that meant a lot more to you than it looked from the outside?

Living in another continent, far from my friends and family. All the challenges I’ve had to face and continue facing, and how I tackle them and adapt to a different culture.

If your younger self could see you now, what would surprise her most?

How far I’ve come and what the journey has been like.

What’s something you’re still figuring out, even now?

Myself.

If you had to give a TED Talk tomorrow, what would it be about (besides your job)?

About the value of time and how to organize it.

Is there a skill you learned outside of work (a hobby, a life experience) that changed how you approach your career?

Sports have taught me many values that I apply in my professional life today.

What’s something you unlearned to get where you are today?

To be shy.

When in your career did you feel totally lost — and what helped you find your way?

When I was at university, I didn’t know if I had chosen the right career; I wanted to be a nutritionist. When I graduated, I took several nutrition courses.

What’s a moment at work that made you laugh when you really needed it?

There are many, both with the students and with the employees.

If your career had a soundtrack, what’s one song that would definitely be on it?

Don't Stop Believin'.

What’s something you once thought was a failure, but now you're grateful it happened?

Doing a PhD.

What part of your job lights you up, even when everything else feels heavy?

Innovating and teaching.

What did you used to chase in your career that you don’t anymore?

What others think.

How has your definition of “success” changed over the years?

Right now, for me, success is having balance in all aspects of my life, not just in work, and being happy at the same time.

What’s a “nontraditional” career move you made that you’re proud of?

Not focusing on just one project, but on three very different ones.

Name a woman or the women who have helped you or inspired you in your career. 

My mom, because she has taught me many things, and a lot of the values I have right now are thanks to her. I've also learned several things that I don't want to repeat in my life.