RACE in STEM’s latest podcast episode explores identity, ambition and navigating the life sciences industry
In the latest episode of the RACE in STEM podcast, host Steve Fuller welcomes Humza Butt, a Territory Manager in the medical devices and technology sector. What unfolds is a powerful, personal conversation about rising above barriers, managing expectations, and finding your path in an industry that isn’t always built for you.
Raised in East London, Shaped by Resilience
Humza opens up about his early life growing up in East London, raised by a single mother in social housing. His upbringing grounded in the values of a South Asian household and the determination of a mother who moved from Pakistan to become a nurse in the UK instilled in him both ambition and a deep respect for hard work.
“She really pushed us toward education and academia,” he shares, crediting his mum as his earliest and most enduring inspiration.
When the Dream Shifts
Following a familiar path for many South Asians, Humza initially set out to become a doctor. He studied biology, chemistry and maths at college. But a delayed diagnosis of hypothyroidism a condition affecting cognitive and physical function changed everything. While he excelled in secondary school, his health impacted his academic performance in college, and he didn’t get the grades required for medical school.
“I had to take a step back and really assess what I wanted,” he reflects. This was a defining moment not just a redirection, but a personal realignment of ambition.
Rewriting the Narrative
Instead of giving up on healthcare altogether, Humza pivoted into molecular biology and, later, into the medical technology space. He now works as a Territory Manager, where he supports clinicians, improves care delivery, and represents a field where representation still lags.
Humza and Steve discuss what it means to show up in rooms where few look like you, and how professionals from marginalised backgrounds often carry not only the weight of their work but also the responsibility of being “the first” or “the only.”
Why This Conversation Matters
Humza’s story is one many will recognise, being pushed toward a singular idea of success, falling short by conventional standards, and still finding a way to thrive. It’s also a story of mentorship, advocacy and identity, told with remarkable vulnerability and strength.