The Remix You Didn’t See Coming
Picture this: you’re in Cartagena, the air thick with champeta and early reggaetón rhythms, and there’s a young chica named Nataly Galán (aka “Natya”) belting out Tocarte Toa alongside Big Yamo, the club lights blaring, the crowd vibing. Fast-forward a decade or two, and that same voice is now in a lab coat, peer-reviewing chemistry papers, chalk dust replacing glitter. Crazy? Sí, but also absolutely true.
She grew up in Soledad, Atlántico, Colombia (yes, that Caribbean breeze was building more than just dance moves), descended from a musical dynasty — she’s the bisnieta of Pacho Galán, the “king” of merecumbé. So the art flow was in her blood.
But while the mic was hot, the glimmer of curiosity burned brighter. Nataly studied chemistry at the Universidad de Cartagena, then earned her PhD in Applied Chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico. She’s now a full-fledged scientist, part inventor, part inspiration.
Why She Made the Switch (And Why It’s So Brilliant)
- Harmony of two passions: Nataly says she’s “always had the passion for music and the science.” The shift wasn’t a rejection of reggaetón, it was embracing both sides of the alma.
- Legacy meets innovation: With that musical lineage behind her, she realized the same creative instinct that drives songwriting could fuel scientific curiosity. She turned rhythm into research.
- Science with impact: She amassed around 13 patents (or more, depending on the source) in Colombia, focusing on applied chemistry, environmental tech, sensors, and more. Her inventions don’t gather dust, they serve people.
- Breaking stereotypes: A former urban-music performer turned high-level scientist? That combo shatters clichés. She proves you can be a club-anthem voice and a lab-coat leader.
- Mamá y modelo: On top of all this, she’s mother to daughters, and emphasizes how her family inspires her research. She’s living proof that motherhood + high-level STEM is possible.
Signature Moments
- “Tocarte Toa”: The 2007/08 hit that nearly everyone in Colombia (and beyond) danced to. Nataly’s early claim to fame.
- Recognition in science: She was honored by the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) in Colombia, cited among the women transforming science and innovation
- Director of Research: At the Universidad Simón Bolívar in Barranquilla she leads investigations, bridging academia, applied tech, and her Caribbean roots.
The Spanglish Vibe: Why She’s Unique
You might hear her say: “Yo voy del perreo al medio ambiente, mis dos mundos son uno.” (Translation: “I go from dancing reggaetón to protecting the environment, my two worlds are one.”)
It’s this blend of sabrosura (that Caribbean, musical flavor) plus científica grit that makes her story so compelling.
From “ponte el ritmo” to “ponte el microscopio”, she’s walked both stages and labs, and pulled off a transformation most only dream about.
Throwback Video: Big Yamo Featuring Nataly Galán (aka “Natya”)
What’s Next on Her Playlist & Lab Notebook
- Expect more patents, she’s not done. The tech world is richer for her brain.
- Possibly more collabs or nods to her musical past (because, hello, music never really left).
- Mentoring the next Gen of mujeres in STEM. She’s creating the path while walking it.
- Bridging art + science events, celebrating that creativity in all its forms.
Why We Should Be Paying Attention
Because Nataly Galán’s life tells us:
- You don’t have to pick one identity, you can have many.
- Change is possible, and sometimes the plot twist is what makes the story legendary.
- Culture, art, science, they’re not separate silos. They talk to each other.
- For the young chica in the Caribbean barrio singing to a beat, or the chica with chemistry dreams, her example shouts: Sí se puede.
