Meet Aditi Mehta, a multifaceted biochemistry student at Imperial College London who’s showing just what’s possible for women in STEM today. From growing up in Singapore to making her mark at Imperial, Aditi’s path was sparked by her fascination with CRISPR-Cas9 pioneers Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier – and she hasn’t looked back since.
We caught up with Aditi to see how she juggles her biochemistry studies with her role as Books Editor for Felix Newspaper, all while making waves in consulting competitions. Her story shows how science can open unexpected doors, and we’re excited to share her experiences, challenges, and dreams of bringing together science and business in ways that might surprise you.
A Profile on Aditi Mehta, BSc Biochemistry student – A Woman Who Does It All
Aditi Mehta interviewed by WOMENinSTEM group
Could you share a bit about your background and what led you to pursue a degree in biochemistry What’s it been like being a woman in STEM, particularly in biochemistry?
Growing up in Singapore, I was fortunate to attend a school and have parents who encouraged me to pursue a degree that inspired passion and innovation. My interest in biochemistry stemmed from the discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology by Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier. My father gifted me Walter Isaacson’s biographies The Code Breaker that profiles Doudna, which inspired me even more. As a modern role model for female contribution to and recognition in STEM, this crystallised my decision to pursue a degree in Biochemistry.
I think there is tremendous opportunity for women in STEM at the moment. The Life Sciences department at Imperial – especially the student body – is diverse and driven, so there is plenty to emulate. Biochemistry is a multifaceted degree which allows flexibility to explore aspects of the subject I like. I’ve found interest in a few topics – metabolism, nutrition, and immunology – all which have supportive lecturers and staff who are passionate and eager to share their knowledge. It’s been a very enjoyable year and a half so far!
How did you get into consulting, and what skills from biochemistry have been useful in consulting?
I’ve certainly developed a lot of patience (often from meticulous lab work!), which translates directly to the sometimes challenging research process to collect data for analysis and strategy quantification. Given that Biochemistry is quite a research-focused degree, attention to detail and data analysis have come in handy for consulting. The degree has refined my ability to look at and process figures quickly, which helps in understanding trends, financials, and statistics, thereby identifying and formulating solutions.
I’ve also refined my oral presentations through poster presentations and vivas, which have improved my confidence and ability to think on my feet during presentations. This applies to answering a client’s (or judge’s) questions regarding results.
How do you manage to balance the demanding workload of a biochemistry degree, being the Books Editor at Felix Newspaper, and your commitments to consulting competitions?
That’s tough! I certainly struggle at times, but the main skills I have developed to balance the workload are time-management and prioritisation. I try to dedicate specific chunks of time in my Outlook for each task, and if I find I can’t complete the all the work to my best standard, I choose to work on the most urgent task at hand.
Can you tell us about your experience in the consulting case competition you participated in? How did it feel to win?
This was my first consulting case competition. I enjoyed working with the team; it was a collaborative environment with students hosting a range of backgrounds and experiences that enriched discussion and approach to the given problem. We worked long hours together a lot to refine the presentation and ensure we had a cohesive understanding about our strategy.
The competition itself was both professional and friendly. I got to meet students from other universities also looking to enter consulting. I found it particularly insightful to see other people’s approaches to the same problem, and a great opportunity to learn and grow from them too.
Winning felt electrifying! It felt especially rewarding that the hours and effort paid off. To receive feedback that our presentation was professional, comprehensive, and convincing gave me further confidence in my choice to pursue consulting, tackle problems, and eventually flourish in the industry.
Why did you decide to become the Books Editor for Felix Newspaper, and what do you enjoy most about this role?
I have always loved reading and writing. First year proved an adjustment to the demanding and time-consuming workload at Imperial, and I found my diligence slipping as I dedicated less and less time to creatively fulfilling activities. I chose to become Books Editor at Felix as I wanted to push myself to make time for my hobbies – essentially motivating myself to read and write, to keep up with the weekly deadline – and produce meaningful output. As a result, I am reading almost as much as I did before university! More importantly, I constantly form and refine my opinions, and am learning to communicate them in a manner that is engaging. Creativity is an iterative process, and I have found the being Books Editor significant to my growth.
From idea conceptualisation to the editing process, I find working with students to guide them through publishing their pieces rewarding. Aside from that, I adore the Felix team. It is a vibrant and wholesome community where I think I have made some life-long friends.
What are your future plans? Do you see yourself continuing in both biochemistry and consulting, or focusing on one path or even doing something completely different?
After my experience in the competition as well a recent project with London Strategic Consulting (LSC), I definitely see myself going into the consulting industry. Whether strategy, management, or operational consulting, I find the work exciting, stimulating, and challenging. I think my biochemistry degree is certainly honing my skillset for a successful career in consulting, and I see further potential to utilise the subject knowledge for path in life science consulting. Overall, I am unsure which consulting pathway I will go into, but optimistic to see where the future takes me!
What advice would you give to young women in STEM interested in exploring consulting?
I would definitely suggest trying a hand at consulting. I gained a lot of knowledge and experience doing the LSC project and consulting competition, both of which have given me clarity about my interest in the industry. Imperial also has many alumni at consulting firms who are eager to share their experiences.
There are so many opportunities available for women looking to go into the field, and because STEM provides you with transferrable, applicable skills, it sets you up well to explore and thrive in the industry.
Written by Aditi Mehta
We aim to continue providing resources, events and connections for women in STEM – stay tuned!
Follow our Instagram: @womeninstem_ic
Read STEM, Stories &Strategy in full
