Mehak Gupta

The best way to treat childhood obesity is to prevent it, and Mehak Gupta is working to make prevention easier for doctors and families.

The assistant professor of computer science at SMU who specializes in Artificial Intelligence has put her skills to work addressing one of the country’s most common health challenges. Her research led to the creation of GrowSmart, a healthcare application that uses data collected during routine care to identify children at risk of obesity so that doctors can intervene early.

“By making obesity prediction more accessible and actionable for physicians, this work has the potential to improve long-term health outcomes for children,” Gupta said. “Seeing my research move beyond theory into real-world impact is incredibly fulfilling.”

As a woman in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) field, Gupta has firsthand experience of the barriers faced by underrepresented groups. Her experience has motivated her to help create more opportunities for others, particularly in academia and technology.

Gupta has served as a mentor for Women in Engineering at the University of Delaware, led mentorship programs for graduate students, and visited local schools to encourage girls to pursue STEM careers. 

Gupta has also contributed her time and talent to advocating for improved childcare for graduate students with families. She called navigating the demands of research, teaching, and parenthood simultaneously after the birth of her daughter one of the defining challenges of her life.

“It was a period of immense growth — learning to manage time more efficiently, setting priorities with greater clarity, and embracing both roles with determination and love … Balancing both worlds has been one of my proudest accomplishments,” Gupta said.

What (or who) motivated you to get involved in the community?

As a woman in STEM, I have firsthand experience of the barriers underrepresented groups face. This has motivated me to create inclusive opportunities for others, particularly in academia and technology. My work with advocacy groups, combined with my passion for using AI for social good, drives my community engagement.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

My first job was as a System Engineer at Infosys. This experience taught me the importance of structured problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment. It also gave me exposure to large-scale software development, which later influenced my research in AI and machine learning.

What’s on your bucket list?

• Expanding my research impact through large-scale AI applications in public health.
• Establishing an AI research lab focused on ethical AI development.
• Traveling to explore different cultures and perspectives.

What accomplishment are you the proudest of and why?

I am proudest of my work in developing an AI-driven tool to predict childhood obesity risk using electronic health records. This research, which has been covered by Medscape and SMU Research, led to the creation of GrowSmart, a healthcare application that helps doctors identify children at risk and intervene early. By making obesity prediction more accessible and actionable for physicians, this work has the potential to improve long-term health outcomes for children. Seeing my research move beyond theory into real-world impact is incredibly fulfilling.

What was your toughest business or personal challenge?

One of the most defining challenges of my life was balancing motherhood and my PhD journey. Welcoming my daughter during this time was a deeply fulfilling experience, but it also required me to navigate the demands of research, teaching, and parenthood simultaneously. It was a period of immense growth — learning to manage time more efficiently, setting priorities with greater clarity, and embracing both roles with determination and love. This experience shaped me into a stronger, more empathetic person and reinforced my commitment to advocating for better support for parents in academia. Balancing both worlds has been one of my proudest accomplishments.

How do you motivate yourself and others?

I stay motivated by focusing on the real-world impact of my work — knowing that my research can improve healthcare outcomes keeps me inspired. I also find motivation in challenges, seeing them as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.

When it comes to motivating others, I believe in leading with encouragement and support. Whether mentoring students, collaborating with colleagues, or speaking to aspiring professionals, I emphasize the importance of perseverance, curiosity, and believing in one’s potential. I also share my own journey — balancing a PhD, research, and motherhood — to show that with passion and resilience, anything is possible.

What was your “lightbulb moment” that led you to your career?

When I was looking for a PhD advisor and a research topic, I attended many faculty research seminars, exploring different areas of computer science. At the time, many of my peers were gravitating toward computer vision, which was a hot topic in 2018. While it was exciting, I wanted something deeper — something that would keep me motivated in the long run.

Then, I came across research applying AI to healthcare, and it immediately resonated with me. The idea that machine learning could be used to solve real-world health challenges and improve lives gave my work a sense of purpose beyond technical innovation. That moment shaped my entire research path, leading me to focus on AI-driven healthcare solutions — work that continues to inspire me every day.

If you could buy a book (or rent a movie) for your neighbor, what would it be and why?

If I could buy a book for my neighbor, it would be a work of fiction, maybe something like The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Fiction allows us to immerse ourselves in new worlds, expanding our imaginations and challenging what we think is possible. I believe that this kind of imaginative thinking is incredibly valuable, especially in research, where the ability to envision the impossible can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons I’m drawn to research myself — it pushes the boundaries of what we know and opens doors to new possibilities.

What would you tell an 18-year-old you?

I would tell myself that small setbacks along the way do not define the rest of your life. At 18, it’s easy to feel like every failure is the ultimate one, but it’s not. Keep working, keep looking for ways to move forward, and trust that you will eventually reach your personal and professional goals. Most importantly, enjoy life and embrace every phase of it — don’t rush through it worrying about the future. Things will fall into place, and you’ll look back one day and realize how far you’ve come.

Where do you see yourself and/or your career 10 years from now?

In 10 years, I aim to be a leading researcher in AI-driven healthcare solutions, particularly in explainable and fairness-aware AI. I envision expanding my research collaborations, securing major grants, and mentoring the next generation of AI researchers. I also hope to contribute to policy discussions on responsible AI implementation.

What’s a fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?

I’m a huge Harry Potter fan who used to grab the books as soon as they were released and feel that the movies didn’t quite do justice to the books. A dream of mine was to visit the Harry Potter Park at Universal Orlando, and I even had tickets booked for April 2020. Unfortunately, the trip got canceled due to Covid, and I still haven’t had the chance to visit. It’s still on my bucket list!

What advice do you have for other young professionals?

Build a strong support network, seek mentors, and always be willing to learn. Adaptability and resilience are key to navigating challenges in any career.