From Chemical Engineering to AI Leadership: Building a Career at Mosaic
From Chemical Engineering to AI Leadership: Building a Career at Mosaic
I currently lead AI and machine learning teams at Mosaic, a Fortune 500 mining company. Right now, I’m based in São Paulo, Brazil, where I’m building a new analytics team to drive data-driven solutions for the business.
Before coming to Purdue, I worked as a chemical engineer in India. I joined the Professional Master’s Program (PMP) in 2017 because I wanted a program that blended technical depth with business acumen. At the time, data science and machine learning were just starting to gain attention, and the flexibility of ChemPMP allowed me to create my own path. I took electives in the Industrial Engineering department, which gave me the foundation I needed in analytics and machine learning to pivot into this field.
My capstone project focused on predicting electricity price volatility, and it gave me an early lesson in real-world problem-solving. In class projects, data is usually clean and ready to use. While 60–70% of the work is collecting and preparing data, with modeling making up a much smaller part of the challenge. That experience shaped the way I approach problems in my current role.
After graduation, I started as a technical consultant, where the business courses I took in strategy and marketing were valuable. They helped me present technical solutions effectively, tailor messages to clients, and communicate with confidence in cross-functional settings.
For anyone considering ChemPMP, my advice is to stay adaptable and open to learning. Chemical engineering is evolving quickly with the rise of AI. Upskill in technology, network widely, and take advantage of Purdue’s opportunities to become a well-rounded professional ready for the future.
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