The Arkwright Scholarship was a launch pad for what has become an extraordinary journey across engineering, design, nature, and human performance.

One of the greatest benefits of the scholarship was the opportunity to complete work experience with my sponsor, Worcester Bosch. It gave me a glimpse into the intricate design and engineering behind something as seemingly ordinary as a heating boiler. Being able to apply my classroom maths and physics to solve real-world problems sparked something fundamental in me — a fascination with making useful, tangible things that improve lives. That early insight, along with the network and exposure provided by Arkwright, helped set me firmly on a path toward engineering.

I went on to study Engineering at the University of Cambridge, specialising in Manufacturing Engineering in my final years. I focused on design, innovation, and technology management — areas where technical thinking meets creativity. I graduated with First Class Honours with Distinction, and was awarded the prize for most outstanding performance on my course.

Throughout university, I sought out industry placements, including an inspiring summer at DMM Engineering in North Wales, where I saw the real impact an engineering mindset could have — especially in products designed for adventure and the outdoors. After graduating, I joined Jaguar Land Rover’s graduate scheme, where I contributed to the development of the company’s first electric vehicle, the Jaguar I-Pace. The scheme gave me a cross-functional view of the business — from product to marketing — and invaluable experience in systems-level thinking.

But as I progressed in industry, I became increasingly aware of the limits of traditional sustainability and innovation models. I began to explore biodesign — using living systems and regenerative thinking to design new materials and experiences. I left the automotive world and founded Bio Crafted, a design research practice that works with living materials to challenge our relationship with the natural world. My project Lucid Life | Marama Ora, developed with Polynesian artisans and scientific partners, created bioluminescent living artefacts that glow when touched, fusing indigenous knowledge with cutting-edge science.

More recently, I co-founded Yanaa (You Are Not An Astronaut) — a food company on a mission to reconnect endurance athletes with real, delicious, nourishing food. Our flagship product is a 100g savoury purée pouch, developed by chefs and tested by athletes, offering energy and gut health support in a gastronomic format. We’re building a brand that’s playful, poetic, and grounded in science — supporting exploration of the Earth, not escape from it.

From high-performance engineering to regenerative design and sports nutrition, my career has been guided by curiosity and a desire to create things that are both meaningful and useful. The skills, values, and mindset I developed through the Arkwright Scholarship still serve me every day.

The dream that once seemed vague — to do something that makes the world better — has now taken shape. And I’m still just getting started.