Lilian Barbosa
A Forensic Chemist from Brazil with Entrepreneurial Aspirations
Lilian Barbosa, MBA ‘25, is originally from Aracaju, Brazil, and earned her B.S. in Pharmacy, and M.S. in Chemistry. Describing herself as a restless dreamer with an eye for detail, she worked as a senior forensic chemist for the scientific police in Sao Paulo, Brazil, before deciding to move across the world to pursue her MBA at the UC San Diego Rady School of Management.
“I chose Rady because their motto of ‘Business is a Science’ spoke to me as a person who is curious, entrepreneurial, and ready to build something meaningful,” said Barbosa. “Rady offers engaging, industry-related courses, and being situated in San Diego’s biotech hub provides an incredible opportunity to network.”
The Rady School is also known for its focus on entrepreneurship which was also appealing to Barbosa. “I know the skills I’m gaining here will help me launch my own forensic biotech company soon. And I feel this was absolutely the right choice,” she said.
Rady Professors Made an Impact
While she enjoyed many of the courses offered by Rady, a stand-out was Digital Disruption taught by Professor Thales Teixeira. “Through his class, I gained invaluable insights into marketing and entrepreneurship, learning how to identify opportunities for disruption and how to build customer-centric business models in the digital era,” she said. “The course was intense but incredibly rewarding. It pushed me to apply everything I had learned throughout the program, tying together key concepts in a way that felt both practical and enlightening.”
One of her other favorite professors was Marta Serra-Garcia. “She did an incredible job of making complex topics like derivatives in the course Managerial Economics not only understandable but actually engaging and interesting. Her passion for teaching is contagious, and she creates an environment where learning feels both challenging and rewarding,” said Barbosa. “But what truly sets her apart is how she genuinely cares about her students. She takes the time to know us as individuals, making the classroom feel like a place where we belong and thrive.”
GenAI Skill Building is Essential in Today’s Business Landscape
GenAI skill building is also a priority for Barbosa, and Rady doesn’t disappoint. “GenAI is integrated into our curriculum by supplementing teaching assistants and offering personalized assessments, acting as both a ‘skill multiplier’ and ‘skill extender.' This integration helps streamline tasks and generate insights while compelling us to critically evaluate AI outputs - a key insight that enhances our analytical skills,” said Barbosa. “In the Leveraging AI for Urban Innovation course, we apply these tools to real-world urban challenges, learning to navigate AI-driven ventures' technical, regulatory, and community aspects.” For Barbosa , it’s not about just using the most advanced tools, it’s about enhancing her analytical capabilities, promoting critical thinking, and being prepared to lead with a nuanced understanding of technology’s role in business.
Outside of classes, an important aspect of the MBA program at Rady is the networking opportunities it provides. “Rady not only provides autonomy, but also funding support for students to organize their own mixers and social gatherings, whether within a single cohort or across different cohorts,” said Barbosa. “This tradition offers a unique opportunity for students to assume leadership roles while building a strong sense of community.”
Barbosa also made a strong impact on fellow students, taking part in an inclusive professional development certification program that focused on building a more open community one conversation at a time. As a keynote speaker for the Rady School’s LGBTQ+ month celebration, she enjoyed being part of the ripple effect of amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering a sense of belonging. “It's how I made a tangible difference at Rady,” she said.
The Breathtaking Sunsets over the Pacific Never get Old
Being a student in the full-time MBA program on the UC San Diego campus also means that students can take advantage of the sunny weather, proximity to the beach, and amazing restaurants and outdoor activities. “What I love most about San Diego is that it offers the best of both worlds: a vibrant, dynamic city with the charm and warmth of a close-knit community,” said Barbosa. “The breathtaking sunsets over the Pacific never get old, and Rady is very privileged to have an ocean view from so many parts of the school!”
But even more important is the culture and the community. “Beyond the beauty and opportunities, what truly stands out is the welcoming, diverse, and inspiring community that makes San Diego feel like home,” said Barbosa.
Next up, she will be focusing on her two professional goals: “I want to help bridge the gap between science and business while creating a positive social impact, and I want to become a mentor in a program for young unprivileged girls who dream of working in STEM or business.” There is no doubt she will achieve what she sets her mind to, and the world will be better for it.
