In this talk, I will present a personal reflection on computational thinking through my PhD research project on improving industrial microalgae production. Using microalgae cultivation systems as a case study, I will illustrate how complex biological and industrial processes can be translated into mathematical problems. The talk will highlight how abstraction, decomposition, modelling, simulation, and optimization enable us to bridge scales from cellular metabolism to photobioreactor dynamics, and connect theoretical analysis with practical applications. Beyond technical results, I will also show the importance of creating a shared language among experts from different communities. This personal journey offers a perspective on how computational thinking can serve as both a research methodology and a cognitive framework for interdisciplinary innovation.