My name is Cat Walker. I loved the science of food from an early age. I enjoyed sport and athletics and always wanted to eat the best fuel to give my body and my mind energy. This lead me to studying Exercise Science and Human Nutrition. I started work at 12 as a gym coach, worked as a Nutritionist, and for the past 15 years have worked in workplace health and wellbeing promoting a healthy culture in the workplace. and the communities we work in.

What inspired you to explore STEM when you were young?

My Mum taught me how to cook at an early age and i loved learning about how food fuels your body. We had a good science lab at my high school and I loved experiments looking at chemical reactions. I was also able to attend a University near where we lived which had a great exercise and nutrition department.

What do you enjoy most about what you do in your STEM career?

Constantly learning! The more we progress in science and technology the more we learn. I love that my area crosses over into many disciplines. I also work with people from many cultures, backgrounds and experience which helps me to learn, test, refine and try again.

What is a fun, bizarre or insightful STEM fact about your field?

Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private communities, and individuals. This is what I get to plan and work on every day.