Noelle Collant '13: Engineering Solutions, Leading with Purpose
For Noelle Colant ‘13, leadership has always been rooted in curiosity.
It starts with a question.
A willingness to try.
And the confidence to keep going, even when things do not go as planned.
Long before she was leading engineering projects at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biotechnology, that mindset was already taking shape.
It began at Our Lady of the Elms School.
Curiosity That Sparked a Path
Noelle’s interest in engineering did not come from a single moment, but one experience helped set her direction.
As a student at the Elms, she attended a Women in Engineering Day through a Lockheed Martin outreach program. It opened her eyes to what was possible and introduced her to a field where problem-solving and innovation could make a real difference.
That experience, paired with her love of AP Chemistry, set her on a clear path.
“I focused on chemical engineering because AP Chemistry with Mr. Sappenfield was one of my favorite classes,” she recalls.
What began as an interest quickly became a purpose. The more she learned, the more she saw the connection between engineering and biology, and the potential to improve healthcare outcomes.
Learning to Communicate and Lead
While her academic interests were grounded in science, Noelle’s growth at the Elms extended far beyond the lab.
As president of the Speech Team, co-founder of Writers’ Circle, and an honors English student, she spent significant time developing her voice.
Under the guidance of Mrs. Fippin, she learned how to communicate clearly and confidently, skills that would later become essential in her career.
“She encouraged me to continue putting effort into writing and public speaking while I pursued a more technical degree,” Noelle says.
Today, that ability sets her apart. Whether working with scientists, engineers, or broader audiences, she translates complex ideas into clear, meaningful communication.
That is leadership.
Confidence Built Through Experience
Not every lesson came easily.
One moment from biology class still stands out.
During a shark dissection, Noelle accidentally cut into the cranial cavity while searching for the ear canals, earning a surprised reaction from her teacher and a less-than-ideal grade.
But what followed mattered more.
Instead of stepping back, she leaned in. Working with her classmates, she turned the mistake into an opportunity, using the already-altered specimen to explore more boldly and help the group complete the rest of their dissections successfully.
It was a small moment, but an important one.
A reminder that leadership is not about avoiding mistakes. It is about how you respond to them.
A Path Defined by Purpose
After graduating from the Elms, Noelle pursued degrees in Chemical Engineering and Theatre Arts at MIT, graduating in 2017.
She went on to complete her PhD at University College London in 2020, where she conducted research on cell-free protein synthesis for vaccines and gene therapies.
Her work continued to evolve at the intersection of science, technology, and impact.
She spent time as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, working on strategies to improve access to Medicare and Medicaid. She later joined Sana Biotechnology as a Senior Engineer, focusing on gene therapy development for blood cancer.
Today, she serves as a Senior Manager on the Automated Systems Engineering team at Lila Sciences, where she leads projects that combine artificial intelligence and lab automation to accelerate the testing of protein-based therapies.
Across every role, one goal has remained constant: advancing therapeutics and making healthcare more accessible for those who need it most.
Resilience and the Power of Community
During her PhD program in London, Noelle faced one of her greatest challenges.
Far from home and feeling isolated, she considered leaving her program altogether.
In that moment, she turned back to the values she had learned at the Elms.
She reflected on the Dominican pillars of prayer, study, community, and preaching. Through that reflection, she recognized both her passion for the work and the importance of the community around her.
With honesty and humility, she reached out to her advisor and shared what she was experiencing.
Together, they created a plan that allowed her to reconnect, travel home more frequently, and rebuild her support system.
That decision allowed her to complete her PhD, even amid the challenges of a global pandemic.
It is a moment that reflects a deeper kind of leadership.
The ability to ask for help.
The willingness to persevere.
The strength to stay committed.
A Community That Lasts
The relationships Noelle built at the Elms continue to shape her life today.
She remains close with classmates, including longtime friend Torie Luckenbaugh, whose support has remained constant despite very different career paths.
Those friendships are a reminder that leadership is not a solitary pursuit.
It is built through connection, encouragement, and shared experience.
Developing Women Leaders
Noelle’s story spans disciplines, industries, and continents.
But at its core, it is about something simple.
Curiosity.
Confidence.
Resilience.
At the Elms, these qualities are not left to chance.
Students are encouraged to ask questions, take risks, and develop both the skills and the mindset needed to lead.
Noelle’s journey is one example of what happens when that foundation takes hold.
Women do not simply leave prepared.
They leave ready to solve problems, lead with purpose, and make a meaningful difference.