Welcome, Nazih, and thank you for joining us today. Let’s start by hearing about your academic background. What inspired you to transition into entrepreneurship from research?
Thank you for having me—it's a pleasure to share my journey. I began my academic journey in Lebanon, earning a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Balamand. I chose this major because I’ve always been fascinated by how massive objects, like airplanes, manage to fly high into the sky. I was driven by curiosity and a desire to understand the physics and mechanics behind it. This mindset of discovery and diving into the details shaped my approach to learning and problem-solving.
After graduating, I moved to France in 2017 to pursue a Master’s in Computational Mechanics at Centrale Nantes. This was a transformative experience—not just academically but personally, as it was my first time living far from family. My master’s program honed my skills in solving complex problems, developing algorithms, and engaging in deep analytical thinking.
To complete my master’s, I interned at JCB Aero, an aeronautical company near Toulouse, where I worked with a team of engineers on developing composite floor panels for airplanes. That’s when I became captivated by the world of composite materials. This interest naturally led me to pursue a PhD, where I combined numerical simulation and programming with composites research. I worked on a project simulating the overmolding process—a method involving two types of composites being molded together. My focus was on understanding and mitigating defects at the interface of these materials.
Throughout my research, I developed a passion for working on innovative projects and solving real-world problems. However, I realized that as a PhD student, I was limited to the research phase of the technology transfer process. I wasn’t involved in applying my developments to real-world scenarios or exploring their commercialization. That limitation sparked a frustration within me and a desire to bridge the gap between research and its practical, business applications. Entrepreneurship became the answer—a space where innovation meets real-world impact, blending R&D with business strategies to deliver solutions that meet specific needs.
This is interesting. Now, let’s talk about how pursuing a PhD can serve as a gateway to entrepreneurship. How has your PhD experience equipped you for this journey?
From my experience, doing a PhD is undoubtedly tough, but it’s also immensely rewarding. A PhD pushes you to develop advanced technical skills in a highly specialized field, making you an expert. It’s not just about gaining knowledge; it’s about diving deep to identify research gaps, defining problems, and crafting hypotheses to address them. This requires an unparalleled depth of understanding, which sharpens your ability to tackle complex, technical challenges.
What’s fascinating is that this process also cultivates a mindset for innovation. As a PhD student, you’re often required to think beyond conventional boundaries, analyze problems from multiple angles, and propose solutions that haven’t been tried before. These are the skills that fuel entrepreneurship—finding opportunities where others see challenges and coming up with new ideas, products, or solutions that break the mold.
Besides the technical stuff, doing a PhD also helped me build some really important soft skills. For example, I got to present my work at conferences, which taught me how to speak in front of people and explain my ideas clearly. I also worked with other research labs and industries, which helped me learn how to connect with people and collaborate. These experiences really prepared me for entrepreneurship, especially when it comes to things like pitching ideas to investors or working with partners.
That is impressive. For our final question, could you tell us a bit about your current project? And what advice would you give to PhD students looking to follow a similar path into entrepreneurship?
Absolutely! Right now, I’m co-leading an innovative project called NOVELIT with my partner, Imane El Khaldi, who also holds a PhD in civil engineering. Our goal with NOVELIT is to improve the thermal comfort of buildings in a sustainable way. We’re developing and planning to commercialize smart thermoregulatory panels. These panels have a unique composition that allows them to passively stabilize indoor temperatures, making spaces more energy-efficient and comfortable. It’s a solution that combines innovation, sustainability, and practicality.
As for advice to PhD students who want to venture into entrepreneurship, my main message is: the journey isn’t easy, and it can be long and challenging, with plenty of ups and downs. But if you’ve completed a PhD, you already have the skills you need to navigate this world. You’ve proven that you can think critically, solve problems, and tackle challenges head-on. Plus, as a PhD holder, you have the unique ability to imagine solutions that others haven’t even considered.
And don’t forget—convincing others of your vision is something you’ve already mastered. After all, you defended years of hard work in just 40 minutes in front of a jury of experts. That same confidence and determination will serve you well in pitching your ideas, gaining support, and building something impactful.
Thank you, Nazih! It’s been inspiring to hear about your journey and advice. Best of luck with NOVELIT!
Keywords: Centrale Nantes, GeM, University of Balamand