Reggaeton Star Nataly Galan Now Has 13 Science Patents

A Colombian woman who once made millions dance to reggaeton beats is now making breakthroughs in a chemistry lab.

Nataly Galan traded the stage for the microscope in a career switch that would surprise anyone who heard her 2007 hit "Tocarte Toa." The song became a reggaeton classic across Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic, playing in clubs and on radio stations for years.

But Galan had a different dream calling her. She left the music industry at its peak to study chemistry at the University of Cartagena, then earned a Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico.

Today, she works as a researcher and professor at Universidad Simon Bolivar in Barranquilla. Her focus is on sustainable chemistry solutions that create real social impact.

The numbers tell the story of her scientific success. Galan has registered 13 patents in Colombia, making her one of the few Colombian women to reach this level of scientific production. She was recently named among the 50 most influential female scientists in Colombia.

Her university has honored her contributions to science and innovation in the Caribbean region. The Superintendence of Industry and Commerce has also recognized her work.

Galan sees a connection between her two seemingly opposite careers. "I am the great-granddaughter of Pacho Galan, a very famous composer who created a musical style called Merecumbe," she shared. "I think that creativity runs in my blood and is what makes me love science."

She still marvels at her music's lasting impact. "Tocarte Toa" continues to surprise her because people still listen after so many years, unlike today's quickly consumed and forgotten songs.

Why This Inspires

Galan's story breaks the myth that you have to choose one path and stick with it forever. She followed her passion for reggaeton, then followed an entirely different passion for chemistry, excelling at both.

Her journey especially matters for young women in Colombia and beyond who face pressure to stay in traditional female roles or stick with their first career choice. She proves that reinvention is possible and that women belong in science labs just as much as on concert stages.

The former singer now takes pride in contributing to Colombia's scientific innovation while inspiring the next generation to pursue their dreams, no matter how different they seem from where they started.