The Member Spotlight Q&A is part of an ongoing CASSS series, in which we invite members to meet other members of the CASSS Community.
The Member Spotlight is an ongoing Q&A series focused on getting to know the CASSS community. Today’s spotlight shines on Rob McCombie, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Orca Bio.
Q. What was your motivation to volunteer with CASSS?
Shortly after relocating to the US, I was afforded the opportunity to attend CASSS WCBP in Washington DC. The quality of content and discussions at the meeting really impressed and inspired me. This meeting motivated me to volunteer with the local CASSS Bay Area Discussion Group. The CASSS regional groups are a fantastic opportunity to help meet local peers, increase your knowledge in bite-size-chunks, and have great technical discussions, especially so for people earlier in their careers who might not have the opportunity to travel to one of CASSS’s bigger conferences.
Q. What do you do to relax? Do you have any hobbies?
To relax I spend time with family and friends, and I enjoy exploring the beautiful California landscape with my wife and children.
Q. What's your favorite type of food or special dish you cook? Why?
I enjoy Indian food of all sorts, but I'm not that great at cooking it!
Q. What is your favorite movie, tv show, music or book?
I really enjoy going to hear live music and I’m very happy that we are slowly and safely able to start enjoying concerts again after the silence of the pandemic.
Q. What famous person (dead or alive) would you choose to have dinner with? Why?
I would love to have dinner with David Attenborough. I grew up with his voice coming out of the television. Life on Earth is still a classic and is worth going back to look at again if you are not familiar. I’m sure he would be as inspiring and engaging in person as he is on screen, and would have incredible stories from decades of filming the natural world.
Q. What’s your favorite travel experience?
I love traveling and it’s hard to pick a favorite, but maybe clinching the top spot was a trip to Northern Sulawesi which is simply stunning. It has smoking volcanoes, verdant rainforests and crystal-clear coral reefs plus friendly people and great cuisine.
Q. How did you get inspired to go into science/biotech/pharma industry?
A friend, Nick Hutchinson, had just started studying a post-graduate master’s degree in Biochemical Engineering at University College London and was very much enjoying the classes. He thought I’d really enjoy it too, and introduced me to Professor Gary Lye, who at the time was leading the MSc program and now heads the department. I was accepted to the program to start the following year. The biochemical engineering program at UCL was fantastic and introduced me to many of the core elements of the biopharmaceutical industry. I knew then that this was what I wanted to do as a career. What keeps me motivated in this industry is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families, while everyday continuing to learn, grow and solve problems together with some very talented, bright people.
Q. If you did anything other than your current occupation, what would it be?
Something outdoors, maybe a ranger for the National Park Service.