This Women’s History Month we are meeting some of the women in Glanbia who work in Nutritional Science.
Rhitika Poudel is an R&D Manager at Glanbia Nutritionals, where she leads an innovation team focused on developing cutting-edge nutritional products.
“My days are a mix of strategic planning, hands-on product development, and cross-functional collaboration - bringing innovative products and nutritional solutions to life. Growing up, I was always fascinated by science - especially botany and zoology. Maybe it was because my mom was a botany professor, so science was naturally woven into our home. I was surrounded by plants, scientific terms, and a deep curiosity about the natural world. It almost felt inevitable that I’d end up in STEM.”
Rhitika went on to pursue an engineering degree in biotechnology and undertook a Masters in Food Science in the US.
“From that moment on, there was no looking back! It’s been an exciting journey blending my passion for science with the ever-evolving world of food and nutrition.”
Offering some advice to younger women about a career in science, Rhitika says: “Own your space, speak up, and never underestimate the power of your unique perspective. The best advice I ever received was: ‘If you’re the smartest person in the room, find a new room.’ True growth happens when you challenge yourself and surround yourself with people who inspire you to reach higher. Keep pushing forward, uplift others as you rise, and always believe in the incredible impact you can make!”