In Memoriam: Antonio (Tony) R. Moreira, PhD, and James (Jim) O’Brien

TONY R. MOREIRA, PhD

Tony R. Moreira was an instrumental force for ISPE for over 20 years. He served as a member of the ISPE International Board of Directors and was the founding President of the ISPE Chesapeake Bay Area Chapter. He was also Board Chair of the ISPE Foundation. His tenure spanned from 2020 until his passing. 

Tony dedicated his career to educating and helping others. He worked for over 30 years in the biopharmaceutical sector and nearly 10 years in management positions in the private sector. He served as a mentor to many through his roles in academia and the pharmaceutical industry. He regularly met with ISPE Foundation Professional Development Grant recipients at conferences and events, providing them with guidance, expert counsel, and support.  

Tony was the co-editor of several books and a frequent speaker at national and international conferences. He also presented short courses in bio-technology topics for industry and regulatory agencies. Tony was published in many peer-reviewed publications and was an author of many articles for Pharmaceutical Engineering® and the iSpeak blog.

Before his passing, Tony served as the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He was responsible for aca-demic-affairs-related matters within the Office of the Provost and maintained an active teaching and research program in bioprocessing, regulatory science, and engineering.  

Tony graduated with a BS in chemical engineering from the University of Oporto in his native Portugal and an MS and PhD in chemical and biochemical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. 

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude for Tony’s contributions to ISPE, the ISPE Foundation, the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and the many lives he has positively impacted. We would also like to share our condolences to all who have been honored with the great privilege of knowing Tony,” said Thomas Hartman, Past President and CEO of ISPE.

JIM O’BRIEN

Jim O’Brien was a founding member of ISPE and a luminary in the field of pharmaceutical engineering. Jim was a recognized expert in the design and engineering of pharmaceutical facilities. His profound influence has shaped our industry.

As an accomplished leader, Jim managed multimillion-dollar projects, consistently delivering state-of-the-art research facilities on time and within budget. His expertise in applying engineering concepts to laboratories was unparalleled, with extensive project management experience in both manufacturing and research facilities for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. His global experience, serving Fortune 500 companies across the US, South America, Canada, Europe, and Asia, was a testament to his vast knowledge and impact.

Since joining Merck & Co., Inc. in the mid-1980s, Jim held several key positions, including Senior Facilities Project Engineer, Manager of Laboratory and Operational Projects, and Senior Project Engineer. At Merck, he led cross-functional teams in the Research and Manufacturing Division, overseeing projects from concept to commissioning and validation. His meticulous approach to project documentation, execution plans, funding requests, and design development ensured the successful completion of numerous facilities.

Jim earned his BS in mechanical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. His leadership within ISPE was exemplary; he served as Vice President, Executive Vice President, and President of the ISPE New Jersey Chapter. He then remained an influential figure as Chair of ISPE’s International Task Team for the development of the worldwide laboratory guide. Jim also served as the ISPE International Board of Director Chair from 1982–1983.

“Jim’s legacy is one of dedication, innovation, and excellence. He was not only a mentor and leader but also an inspiration to many in our community. As we remember Jim, we celebrate his remarkable contributions to the field and his lasting impact on ISPE,” said Hartman.