Shilpi Mathrani

B.S.’14 BioE; MEng’15 BioE
Consultant at ZS Associates
Hometown: Fremont, CA

Job description

I am a healthcare consultant who is passionate about developing innovative solutions for clients to help top companies bring breakthrough medicines to market. I use my engineering and analytical background, combined with my consulting experience, to tackle tough problems in areas such as launch strategy, forecasting and marketing.

Current project that excites you

I’m working with a drug that is related to helping COVID patients. I love working on this project because it’s so relevant for today and has immediate benefits in terms of bringing medicines to market that are immediately needed for the pandemic. It feels valuable to be working on such an important project.

Skills learned at Cal

One thing I enjoyed was the diversification of skills — I joined several different clubs, tried my hand at teaching by becoming a DeCal instructor, spent my extracurricular time doing dance with a classical Indian group at Cal, took classes such as Hindi 1A and 1B, and also joined several different research positions in a lab, both on and off campus. I loved that I was able to try and learn from so many different things. I have a similar appreciation for trying and learning new things whenever I start different projects at work — some of which are not connected to anything else I have done at ZS before. Always learning and being a student helps to keep me on my toes!

Something few people know

Not sure if this is known to only a few, but one thing that I am proud of is that I am currently back at Cal pursuing my third degree from Berkeley! I am in the part-time evening and weekend MBA program at Haas, along with working full-time at ZS Associates, and I am loving it!

Current food obsession

Two of my favorites will always be any kind of boba (an obsession fueled by my time at Cal) and Philz coffee!

Fondest memory from Cal

My days studying in Bechtel with friends. I truly loved that library and study spot more than anything at Cal, and I cherish my days spending time there and learning.

Class or professor that changed your thinking

Professor Amy Herr and her capstone class was one of my favorites. It helped me to bring the “real world” into our education, with firsthand experience and bringing a new product to light. I would recommend this class to anyone.

Advice for your 20-year-old self

Try new things, especially things that make you feel out of your comfort zone! You never know what you’re going to love or not love until you’ve tried it. Don’t be afraid to try something different that’s outside of the path you’re currently on.

What keeps you enthusiastic about your job

Knowing that we’re helping our clients solve problems that will bring medicines to more people.

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