Karrie Liu is a Chartered Mathematician, as well as being a council member and Fellow of the Institute for Mathematics and Its Applications (IMA). Karrie is passionate about improving people’s lives, having previously spent ten years working in the NHS before setting up her own consultancy company, Hypatia Analytics, to strike a harmonious balance between corporate data science endeavours and philanthropic pursuits. Since then, Karrie has won multiple awards, including becoming WISE’s Outstanding Woman in Science 2024.
“Being a Chinese woman in the UK has never been a walk in the park. Not only do we face challenges as women, but there’s also the added layer of cultural differences that many fail to grasp. I’m good at maths not because I’m Chinese, but because it’s been ingrained in me by a family who have always strived for a better life.”
The power of connection
It feels like eons ago, back in 2019, when I first crossed paths with Womanthology when I stumbled upon Sophie Carr’s captivating story on your website. It struck a chord with me as a mathematician, prompting me to reach out and extend my heartfelt thanks. Since then, our connection has blossomed, and I’m ever grateful for it.
I first shared my story (to that point) with you and your readers back in 2021. By way of a recap, let me whisk you through a whirlwind of change and growth. In 2019, I embarked on a journey of establishing my venture, Hypatia Analytics. My vision? To strike a harmonious balance between corporate data science endeavours and philanthropic pursuits. I firmly believe that data and mathematics hold the key to informed decision-making, a principle I’ve endeavoured to imbue in our work.
Applying mathematical skills to re-world problems
Fast forward to the present, and since I last took part in Womanthology, how things have evolved! From collaborating on data science in healthcare projects with big names like NHS England and Johnson & Johnson, to startups such as The London Data Company and Amilis, it’s truly been a blessing to apply our mathematical skills to real-world problems and directly assist people. Plus, the support we’ve received from these companies has been nothing short of phenomenal. One highlight was partnering with the NHS England team and Pioneer Maths to host two work experience events for local year 12 students.
Awards recognition
Oh, and speaking of Pioneer Maths, Joely To, the charity’s founder, was just 17 when she started it. Together with Hypatia Analytics, we launched the Discover Data programme, a selective summer coaching initiative for students eager to learn about data analytics, visualisation, and storytelling. And guess what? Two local maths whizzes snagged national awards! Joely and I even nabbed the HRH The Princess Royal’s WISE Rising Star Award and the Outstanding Women in Science Award. What a day to remember! (See main image for our triumphant selfie!)
Building relationships
But it’s not just about the work itself — it’s about the relationships and mentorship too. Let me share a couple of success stories with you. Mentoring Sanjidah Ahmed, a student who did a two-week work experience was incredibly fulfilling. These experiences provided her invaluable insights into the real-life applications of data analytics, she even secured a conference presentation for her cancer analysis poster.
Then there’s the story from Johnson & Johnson; we recently mentored three interns — Eisha Patankar (Dave), Nimisha Jemon and Chiara Guddemi, who didn’t have a background in data science but were determined to build a financial simulation model using Excel. Witnessing their empowerment in using maths in the workplace was incredibly rewarding, and again they published a poster for this experience.
And now, I’m thrilled to tell you about our latest pro bono venture in collaboration with IQVIA, AgeUK Wandsworth and a team of four volunteers — Owen Li, Cláudia Tavares, Sandra Abubakir and Marta Pinto from diverse backgrounds (a PhD student, data analysts from other sectors and NHS clinical staff). Our mission is to harness the power of the data science community to support charities in critical areas like cancer, dementia, and violence against older people.
At this point, I’d also like to shine the spotlight on another award-winning mathematician, Zahraa Kadri, who is a senior consultant in advisory services at Arup and the fabulous Dr Katie Chicot, CEO of MathsWorldUK. Both Zahraa and Katie, alongside many other women, including Ros Azouzi at the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications are doing incredible work to make careers in maths more accessible to more girls and women.
Breaking away from cultural and gender stereotypes
Being a Chinese woman in the UK has never been a walk in the park. Not only do we face challenges as women, but there’s also the added layer of cultural differences that many fail to grasp. I’m good at maths not because I’m Chinese, but because it’s been ingrained in me by a family who have always strived for a better life.
Traditionally, there’s been a tendency for women to stay at home while men take on the financial responsibilities, but Hypatia Analytics and I are on a mission to challenge these stereotypes, inspire the next generation of Asian women in STEM, and contribute to a more diverse and vibrant society.
Celebrating success as a collaboration, not a competition
I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today without Womanthology’s support. Womanthology helped me connect with Ines Santos, who has been looking after the Hypatia Analytics social media for the last two years. Womanthology has provided us with a platform to showcase our journey, demonstrating that greatness comes in all shapes and forms. Womanthology is an incredible platform that enables women (and men) to celebrate success not as a competition, but as a collaboration and contribution to making the world a better place, so I’d like to thank you for that.
