Alumni Spotlight: Cristobal Lowery
“I hope my book gives children space to experience that discovery for themselves, just as I was encouraged to do at ISA.”
Meet Cristobal Lowery, Class of 2006 graduate who recently published his first book after developing a love for mathematics while still in Primary School at ISA.
Cristobal is a Strategy Consultant in Artificial Intelligence, after having studied Mechanical Engineering and Artificial Intelligence at Imperial College London. Cristobal was at ISA for over 12 years.
How did your time at ISA impact your life?
ISA gave me the confidence to think about things in my own way. I remember an open-minded environment where there was room to explore different approaches and develop my own way of doing things.
That freedom helped shape how I learn and solve problems, and I still benefit from it today. It also influenced what I wanted to share through The Secret Patterns of Maths. There is something very satisfying about noticing a pattern, trying an idea and suddenly understanding why something works. I hope the book gives children space to experience that discovery for themselves, just as I was encouraged to do at ISA.
What are some of your most memorable moments at ISA?
I attended ISA from 1994 to 2006, so those twelve years were the backdrop to most of my childhood. One experience that particularly stayed with me began when I was eight and started coming up with my own maths riddles. Andy Rodick, a High School Math teacher, noticed my interest and gave me individual guidance to explore those ideas further.
Having someone take my ideas seriously at that age made a lasting impression. It helped me see Mathematics as something I could investigate and discover for myself. That sense of possibility still influences how I approach problems today.
What advice or insights do you have for our current ISA students?
I would focus on developing adaptability and independent judgement. With AI changing how we work, it is difficult to predict which paths will be open to you in ten or twenty years. Build a strong foundation, and give yourself room to revise your plans as you learn more.
When using AI, question the reasoning, evidence and assumptions behind its answers. Learn to recognise what is missing and whether you are asking the right question.
Critical thinking also means questioning yourself. Be willing to change your mind when the evidence warrants it. Have confidence in your ability to work things out while remaining open to being wrong.
What is your current career, and why did you choose that path? What advice do you have for others looking to enter into your field of work?
I’m a Principal at Kearney, helping businesses use data and AI to solve problems. What excites me about technology is the opportunity to build things that change how we live and work. I enjoy taking an idea, exploring what is possible and turning it into something useful.
My advice is to take the lead in your own career. Nobody has all the answers, especially in a field changing this quickly. Put forward ideas, start projects and create opportunities instead of waiting for someone to map out your path. Learn from others, but have the confidence to form your own view and help set the direction.
The ISA Alumni Spotlight series aims to showcase the journeys of individuals in our student, teacher and parent alumni communities. We ask them to reflect on how ISA made an impact on their life, and to share their advice on how to carry out the mission of international understanding.
