Spark the Future: Global VP of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs shares how experimenting in the kitchen opened a world of possibilities
By Edith DeVita, Global VP of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs for Mars and Mars Snacking
I was blessed with a mom who was an amazing cook and baker. She made everything from scratch each day. When I was a child, the highlight of my day was helping her with what she was making – and, of course, sampling the dessert item! My earliest memory at the age of five was of being given the responsibility to measure out sugar for a cake we were making. I was so proud that my mom thought I had listened and observed enough to take on this task all on my own without her around.
As the cake baked, I still remember my mom’s concern about why it didn’t rise in the oven and how it browned differently than the many other times she had made this recipe. Then, the horror when we sampled what was for sure the saltiest cake ever made – instead of sugar, I had poured out a cup of salt and added it to the mixing bowl! I realized at that moment the profound impact ingredients have on food and that there is a reason why certain ingredients are used, and others are not.
There were also times when my mom forgot something off the shopping list and needed to improvise. Through experimentation, thinking out of the box and being creative, I learned you can modify amounts or substitute ingredients and sometimes create an even better dessert (unlike my salty cake). These childhood moments fostered my interest in food science and nutrition, which I went on to study at university and have been fortunate to leverage in my personal and professional life.
It's also why I am grateful to work at Mars, a science-driven company that values, respects and invests in science to bring our purpose – the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today – to life. Every day, I am inspired by the high-caliber scientists I work with across a variety of disciplines; in particular, the work being done to improve the lives of pets by better understanding their needs through science. For example, our scientists at Waltham Petcare Science Institute are working with veterinary teams and data scientists across our Petcare business to advance personalized pet healthcare so pets can stay healthy for longer. They explore data and run studies in search of early indicators of disease. Their outputs help veterinarians prevent and even predict disease, and lead to improved personalized care based on a pet’s risk of suffering from certain diseases.
Science opens up a world of possibilities and opportunities to explore. If it interests you, don’t be afraid to experiment and to remain curious. Some of the most profound scientific breakthroughs in history have been made by accidental discoveries (think penicillin, x-rays, the microwave oven, pacemakers, etc.)! Surround yourself with people who you can learn from and find mentors who can share their diverse perspectives and experiences. Being able to experiment and have new, better outcomes sparked my interest in science. As a child, the focus was on my meals; today it is my hope that scientific discoveries can make the world a better place.
