Joyful, glittery, and unapologetically bimbo
- Bethan Burnside
- Dec 18, 2025
- 10 min read
An interview with science communicator Dr. Naomi Koh Belic
Naomi Koh Belic, PhD, is part of a growing wave of creators who are redefining what science communication can be. A self-described “biracial, bisexual, bimbo biologist,” she has built a practice that is bold and playful yet deeply data-driven and committed to representation. From drag shows that double as sex education to co‑created projects with Indigenous communities, Koh Belic’s work amplifies voices too often excluded from science and fights for communication that is participatory, inclusive, and accountable. In this conversation, Koh Belic reflects on her journey, her commitment to authenticity, and why community is at the heart of her approach.
Hi, Naomi! Why do you choose to identify yourself as a “biracial, bisexual, bimbo biologist”?
“Being a bimbo is such a core part of my identity! I’m a hyperfeminine girly pop. Growing up on the Gold Coast, I feel like bimbo culture is just part of how I was raised. I like making my identity visible, because during my PhD I hid many parts of myself. There isn’t much space to just be a woman of color in science and academia, and that made it harder for me to come to terms with being queer. It wasn’t until the very end of my PhD, during the COVID lockdowns, that I finally had the distance to reflect and embrace who I am. That’s why visibility matters so much to me.”
You were 22 when you “stumbled into” science communication. During your PhD in stem cell biology, you featured as a biology expert on Discovery Channel’s Dr Karl’s Outrageous Acts of Science and hosted five episodes of Sciencey, an Australian Broadcasting Company show. How did you land these gigs?
