"mixing education with a little bit of spice"
Zara Dar has taken an unconventional path from academia to online success.
The former bioengineering PhD student left her programme after two years, pivoting to adult content creation while continuing to teach STEM.
Now, she blends science education with artistic expression on OnlyFans, challenging traditional norms in both fields.
Texas-based Zara found her PhD programme lacking hands-on work and feared being overqualified yet under-experienced in the job market.
She said: “I realised that even after completing a PhD, I would likely find myself in a similar position as I would with a master’s degree; overqualified for entry-level jobs but lacking industry experience.”
Zara opted for self-employment in the field of STEM, creating educational content online.
But what sets her apart is that she has two pages on OnlyFans, one of which offers free, academically focused lessons.
The other account features Zara uploading explicit content that is “artistic and erotic with tasteful nudity.”
There, she’s able to “fully express myself as an individual”.
Zara told PEOPLE: “This content is deeply personal, and I use it to explore my thoughts, feelings and experiences.
“For example, I did a photoshoot where I wore a hard hat while being topless, symbolising the choice between continuing to work for others or working independently.
“I paired it with a poem inspired by Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’, which reflected the two paths I’m facing in my life.
“I like to think of each set as a reflection of who I am and the message I want to share at the time.”
Even her cost-free educational posts have “a hot twist to keep things engaging and fun”.
This can be Zara Dar teaching in a racy top.
Zara initially shared quick science facts on Instagram, discussing topics like the Leidenfrost effect and Schrödinger’s cat.
But she soon realised OnlyFans provided an opportunity to monetise her content while reaching a broader audience.
She said: “I cover various topics, from maths and STEM to personal growth, but I like to present them in a way that’s both approachable and playful, mixing education with a little bit of spice”
Zara Dar originally joined OnlyFans in 2022 and also posted on YouTube.
But when she noticed OnlyFans was promoting her videos, Zara continued creating her educational content.
“This made me realise I can have an actual career by continuing to share educational and artistic [and] erotic content on OnlyFans.
“I love that fans respect my boundaries, and I only share what I’m comfortable with.”
Things quickly paid off and within three months, Zara Dar earned over $50,000.
She was cross-promoting on Instagram but the platform banned her account. Her revenue increased when she started posting her science tutorials on Pornhub.
Zara Dar went viral when she announced she was quitting her PhD for OnlyFans full-time. The video earned her $40,000 in 24 hours.
She admitted: “I had wanted to share my experience of leaving graduate school months earlier but hesitated because I didn’t think people were interested in my personal or academic life.”
Since going viral, Zara has received a positive reception. However, she has also seen a lot of misinformation.
Zara stated: “Many people assumed I completely abandoned STEM because of OnlyFans.
“However, I use my knowledge in ways that feel more meaningful to me — whether that’s making educational content with my own twist, researching topics that interest me without academic constraints or finding creative ways to blend STEM with erotica for my OnlyFans.”
Her family was initially worried but they were reassured after Zara explained her decision.
The blend of education and erotica has paid off.
She revealed:
“In total, I’ve made over $1 million through my online career — something I never imagined possible.”
“Currently, I am among the top 0.1% of creators on OnlyFans and hope to continue growing my presence.”
While traditional academia no longer interests her, Zara Dar continues to educate in her own way:
“Knowledge should be accessible to everyone, no matter their background or financial situation.
“I want to contribute to a system where people can learn on their own terms, without the constraints of expensive tuition or the traditional academic structure that doesn’t always prioritise the student experience.”
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