About Me
Hi! I’m Pretesh. Basically, I’m a doctor from Cambridge, who loves technology, and did some work in Silicon Valley. I’m also a huge life optimiser, with a focus on health.
I’m on a mission to help you improve all aspects of your health by providing digestible and actionable insights that you can use immediately.
Quick Overview
- I studied medicine at the University of Cambridge for 6 years. I graduated in the top 10% of my cohort.
- In my third year of university, I intercalated (essentially did a second degree) in Physiology and Neuroscience, achieving a 1st class.
- At Cambridge I founded the Cambridge University AI in Medicine Society. After creating a team and managing the setup, we hosted seminars, teaching sessions, and social events.
- I completed an internship at a Silicon Valley Medical AI Startup in the summer of my 5th year of university.
- I’m currently working on several tech/AI projects.
- At A-Levels I achieved 5A*s (Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Physics), and got full/near full marks in several tests, including the Cambridge Admissions Test science section.
My Journey: From Cornershop to Cambridge
Life began in Bolton, UK, where I lived in a corner shop alongside my two sisters and our incredibly hard-working parents. Fast-forward to about three years ago, and we upgraded to a bungalow—definitely a nice change of pace!
<corner shop picture >
I received a traditional state education and quickly found my love for computers. Along the way, I also got somewhat addicted to PC gaming, specifically Dota 2 and CS:GO.
When it came to A-levels, I really hit my stride. I took on Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, and Further Maths, managing to get 5A*s. I was the top scorer in each of my subjects at college. Keep in mind, most people in the UK usually stick to 3 or 4 subjects; I juggled 5 while also participating in extra-curricular activities. It was intense.
For those looking to study medicine at Cambridge, there's a daunting admissions test known as the BMAT. I nailed a 9 in the science section—a feat only one or two people internationally manage to achieve. This was my pinnacle of scientific capabilities, to say the least.
This got me my spot at the University of Cambridge, to study Medicine. It was an exciting time, and my parents were overjoyed. From corner shop to Cambridge.
Up to this point, my life had revolved around mostly academics, leaving my health on the back burner. A blood test during A-levels revealed I was pre-diabetic, and that was my wake-up call.
I hit the gym, cleaned up my diet, and made lifestyle optimization a new hobby. Since starting gym in my 1st year of uni, I’ve been going consistently since between 3-6 times a week; with some adjustments for COVID lockdown.
Fast-forward a bit, and I graduated Cambridge with a 1st class in physiology and neuroscience, scoring in the 1st decile of our medical cohort. Not only that, but I was also in the best shape of my life, owning even better mental and social health.
During university, I found another love—AI. I founded the Cambridge AI in Medicine Society and even bagged an internship in Silicon Valley.
Today, my skillset spans medicine, basic coding, AI, branding and design, and marketing, among other startup essentials. I'm now a practicing doctor in my hometown, continuously working on personal health development, and juggling a few of my own projects. You can learn more about these on My Projects page.
Hobbies and Interests
Is gym, specifically weightlifting, a hobby or as essential as eating and drinking? It's a bit of a gray area, but let's include it here anyway.
If you scan my cerebellum—the part of the brain responsible for coordination—via MRI, you'll see it's essentially squashed by the rest of my brain. This explains my, let's say, 'unique' relationship with sports. Still, I try really hard. I've dabbled in everything from swimming and skipping to squash, tennis, and badminton. I more or less suck.
Gaming is a love that's stood the test of time. I started with classics like RuneScape, Neopets, and Club Penguin. Then came the heavy-hitters like COD, Battlefield, GTA and Fifa. But the golden era? That was all about Dota 2, CSGO and minecraft. These days, I'm mostly into chess, Stardew Valley, and a mix of PC, Switch, and Meta Quest 2 games.
I'm constantly on the hunt for new experiences. To keep things fresh, I try to organise activities with friends as frequently as possible. We're talking hikes, escape rooms, dinners—anything new, really.
As an INTP-A personality, I'm in constant think-and-learn mode. One of my most cherished hobbies is just that—learning and applying. I also have a soft spot for gadgets and tools that make life more slick, or even just cooler.
Get in Touch
If you want to get in touch, head over to my Contact Me page!