A former PhD student has made £800,000 after abandoning her studies to create maths and science videos for adult content channels. Zara Dar, 24, has a background in engineering and was pursuing a PhD at Stanford University.
She set up a Youtube channel to make science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects more accessible by breaking down complex topics into digestible lessons, and her tutorials soon earned her 155,000 subscribers.
But Zara says she became disillusioned with her studies, and set up accounts on adult content sharing platforms. She was able to clear her family’s mortgage and buy a car, earning £800,000 in months.
She posts daily “nerdy” content on her free page. Zara said: “I teach STEM concepts on a board while wearing a sexy top,” she explains. “It’s a strategy that works—people learn something new, and if they’re curious, they explore further.”
Zara’s STEM-focused videos have attracted millions of views, earning up to £800 per million views. Zara has been candid about her frustrations with academia.
“Ordering a piece of equipment involved layers of bureaucracy,” she said. “This made me spend more time on paperwork and less time on actual research.”
Despite her success, Zara hasn’t been immune to the darker side of internet fame. She’s been a victim of deepfake. “It’s horrifying,” she admits. “There are even websites that bulk-sell this manipulated content.”
Zara uses the experience to advocate for better digital security and awareness. “People need to understand how easy it is to manipulate content and how damaging it can be.”
Zara hasn’t abandoned her love for STEM. She’s currently pursuing an online master’s degree in computer science, focusing on areas like deep learning and machine learning. “I’m constantly learning and finding new ways to teach,” she says. “That’s what keeps me motivated.”
She also hopes her story inspires others to break stereotypes and follow their passions. “Whether you’re in academia, tech, or the adult industry, there’s room to redefine what success looks like.”
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