Member Spotlight: Daria Curtis
Daria Curtis works in quality assurance validation at AstraZeneca and is a member of ISPE. In this interview, conducted by Edyna Miguez, Membership Growth Manager at ISPE, Curtis shares her key areas of expertise, what prompted her to get involved with ISPE, how being a member has enhanced her professional career, and more.
What are your key areas of expertise? Why are these areas important to you?
My key areas of expertise include quality control, quality assurance, microbiology, contamination control and validation (including process, method, computer systems, cleaning, and facility and utility systems validation). These areas are important to me, as they have a direct impact on patient safety, product quality, and the overall efficacy of the product we are manufacturing.
How long have you been a member of ISPE? What prompted you to get involved?
I have been a member of ISPE for about two years now. I have been using the ISPE Good Practice Guides and ISPE Baseline Guides for quite a while now, to obtain technical information regarding current industry standards, regulatory insights, as well as risk management. ISPE’s focus on quality assurance and regulatory compliance has always resonated with my values, and the information provided by all the technical documents has been very helpful. After talking with other ISPE members (Danielle Gabrish and Hamid Teimourian), I realized that ISPE offers many opportunities in addition to the technical aspects, such as networking and collaboration, as well as access to several resources for professional development.
Are you involved with ISPE’s Women in Pharma®? If so, what makes it so special? Can you share the primary reason you got involved with Women in Pharma?
Yes, I am involved with ISPE’s Women in Pharma. What makes Women in Pharma special are the members involved and their initiatives that focus on promoting diversity, providing support and mentorship, as well as addressing some of the unique challenges faced by women in the pharmaceutical industry. I am involved with Women in Pharma because I believe in the power of collaboration in our industry, and how Women in Pharma connects like-minded professionals who share similar challenges and aspirations. Being part of Woman in Pharma has provided me with invaluable networking opportunities and has helped my professional and personal growth.
How has being an ISPE member enhanced your professional career?
Being a member of ISPE has enhanced my professional career in several ways. ISPE has provided me with several networking opportunities, connecting me with industry professionals who have shared their experiences and insights, thus enriching my understanding of several areas such as contamination control, validation, and risk management. Attending ISPE conferences has allowed me to gain exposure to innovative technologies, and different ways of working. Therefore, the continuous learning environment has given me the opportunity to stay current with industry standards, as well as adapt to the always changing pharmaceutical engineering field.
How has being an ISPE member enhanced your personal growth and development?
Being an ISPE member has enhanced my personal growth by providing opportunities for learning, skill development, and exposure to diverse perspectives within the pharmaceutical industry. Participating in the different workshops and seminars provided by ISPE has allowed me to enhance my technical skills, as well as my leadership skills. Being able to engage with other professionals and experts in various fields has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zones.
What do you like most about being a member?
What I like the most about being a member is the sense of community and the support that exists in the organization. I really enjoy and appreciate the wealth of resources and educational materials that are available to members. This includes the ISPE Good Practice Guides, conferences, and networking events. The information and tools that ISPE provides are essential for professionals to say current in our rapidly evolving industry. Being able to have all this information available, as well as a network of subject matter experts, has empowered me to enhance my skills and deepen my understanding of current topics such as regulatory agencies’ expectations, contamination control strategies, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for data analytics and sustainability.
Can you tell us about a favorite moment with ISPE that exemplifies your experience?
One of my favorite moments with ISPE was being part of a panel and discussing leadership and my experiences as a woman in a leadership role. As mentioned earlier, this is one of the experiences that has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, by allowing me to express my ideas, and contribute to the discussion, in front of quite a few members. This event definitely helped my personal development and gave me a better understanding of how impactful these types of networking events are.
What inspires you to continue to improve personally and professionally?
What inspires me to continue to improve personally and professionally is my passion for growth and continuous learning. I believe that our journey of self-improvement is never ending, especially in our current environment and industry. I really enjoy acquiring new knowledge and information, as well as developing my current skills. I am also inspired by the role models and mentors who exemplify dedication, as well as resilience. And so, I also hope to inspire and support others, by striving to always have an open mindset, and continue to learn and develop.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering joining ISPE?
The advice I would give to someone who is considering joining ISPE is to quote Nike, and “Just Do It.” There are vast benefits to becoming a member that can definitely enhance someone’s personal and professional growth. ISPE offers a great platform for networking and collaboration, as well as being able to connect with fellow professionals, industry leaders, and regulatory agency experts…just to name a few. In addition, ISPE provides access to a wealth of information and resources, including the ISPE Good Practice Guides and ISPE Baseline Guides, other educational materials, training courses, and conferences. Therefore, I would really recommend joining ISPE, and being able to learn, connect and grow within this wonderful community.
